The short answer is – maybe, but only as a final option after all other alternatives have been considered. Dr. Robert Rudman and Dr. Jake Birg have been providing orthodontics in the Denver area for decades. He has the skill to consider all possible treatment paths to creating your most beautiful, healthy smile. Although teeth removal is sometimes a part of getting braces, it isn’t always the case and he can determine if there are any alternatives.
Reasons Teeth Extraction Could be Necessary
There’s a limited number of reasons that teeth extraction would even be necessary. The most common are:
- Significant crowding
- Not enough room in the jaw to hold all of the teeth
- Tooth or teeth have grown over other teeth, causing them to overlap
- Crowded teeth are causing certain teeth to protrude out from the gums at a 90-degree angle
There are often other ways to address these issues. For instance, crowding may be fixable with braces alone. Or, a device called a palette expander may be used for a time to create more room in the jaw. Teeth extraction is not generally the only option, although Dr. Rudman will be able to determine quickly after examining your teeth and reviewing x-rays whether extraction is needed.
Find Out What Your Treatment May Look Like
You’ll find out what to expect from orthodontic treatment when you meet with Dr. Rudman in a complimentary consultation. He understands that you may feel nervous about what needs to happen in order for you to straighten your teeth. While teeth removal and other things you may have heard about orthodontics may seem intimidating, most patients have no issues once they’ve started the treatment. Dr. Rudman completes each phase of the treatment, and he’ll be there every step of the way to explain what needs to happen to straighten your teeth.
Dr. Rudman offers a full range of options for aligning your teeth and bite:
- Metal braces with rubber band colors you get to mix and match
- Clear ceramic brackets with metal arch wires and customizable rubber bands
- Invisalign® removable aligner trays, which are sometimes used in combination with rubber bands
- Incognito® brackets and wires, which are placed on the back, tongue-facing surface of your teeth
Even if teeth removal were necessary, the procedure is completed safely and promptly so you can progress to the next stage of orthodontic treatment. If you are researching braces for your child, take note that appointments starting as early as age 7 may prevent the need for tooth extraction later on – by getting orthodontic intervention while the bite is still developing, your child’s teeth may grow in such a way that there is enough room for each tooth in the jaw (with the exception of wisdom teeth, which most often do not have enough room to erupt properly).
Arrange a Complimentary Orthodontic Consultation
The only way to know what will be included in your orthodontic plan is to discuss your case with experienced Denver orthodontist Dr. Robert Rudman. He provides a complimentary initial consultation so you can discuss all of the options. To schedule your visit at our Cherry Creek office, please call Advanced Orthodontic Care at 303-331-0222.