Dental advice needed

[LisaR]

My DD will be 12 next month. All four of her 12 year molars are coming in. We went to a new dentist yesterday and he suggested removing them soon to make room in her mouth. He claims she would not have to have her wisdom teeth removed at a later date because there would be room for them. He said it is much easier to remove the molars then it is to remove wisdom teeth.

My dd's two eye teeth are slightly twisted. He suggested upper braces for about 6 months and he can put them on. He is NOT an orthodontist. I have an appointment set up with an orthodontist in a couple weeks to get his opinion.

Unfortunately, we have struggled with finding a good dentist since moving to this area three years ago. Many don't take our insurance and the few we have found have been horrible.

So, does the advice of this dentist sound logical? Thanks!

Lisa

 

[tiggersmom2]

My DD will be 12 next month. All four of her 12 year molars are coming in. We went to a new dentist yesterday and he suggested removing them soon to make room in her mouth. He claims she would not have to have her wisdom teeth removed at a later date because there would be room for them. He said it is much easier to remove the molars then it is to remove wisdom teeth.

My dd's two eye teeth are slightly twisted. He suggested upper braces for about 6 months and he can put them on. He is NOT an orthodontist. I have an appointment set up with an orthodontist in a couple weeks to get his opinion.

Unfortunately, we have struggled with finding a good dentist since moving to this area three years ago. Many don't take our insurance and the few we have found have been horrible.

So, does the advice of this dentist sound logical? Thanks!

Lisa

Hi, hygienist here (with a Dad and brother who are dentist).

I can honestly tell you that I have never, ever, EVER heard of pulling second molars!!! Wisdom teeth are the most commonly missing teeth and many times they are impacted or don't even come in straight.

If I were you, I would keep the appointment with your orthodontist (don't EVER let a general dentist put on braces!! ) and ask him for some recommendations for a general dentist.

I just can't imagine the orthodontist agreeing with that dentist to pull the second molars.....please keep us updated.

 

[HeatherH]

Run AWAY from that dentist as quickly as possible!!!!

Those recommendations are ABSURD!!! And as TM2 said, NEVER, EVER let a general dentist do braces.

KEEP your appointment with the orthodontist, and honestly, I'd find a new dentist, this one sounds like a money-hungry quack. My daughter's pediatric dentist wanted to pull a bunch of her permanent teeth too (at a younger age) to MAKE ROOM in her mouth. After a consult with MY dentist and then an ortho, that recommendation was flushed away, as it should be. She had a palate expander, braces, and at age 13 is now OUT of braces and has GORGEOUS teeth...all without pulling a single permanent tooth.

Good luck to your daughter.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

Try as hard as you can to keep all of her teeth, I had four teeth pulled and I hate my teeth now.

I went to 3 different orthos and all said I needed them pulled, it turns out I didnt even though I was 18 my jaw was actually still growing and I ended up with gaps. The orthos solution was to shave my teeth on the sides and push them even closer together.

Ive read a little about the extractions your dentist was talking about and it seems it helps the smile stay wider than it would removing the eye teeth.
So he isnt totally crazy but id still say no.

 

[maddiemom]

I would definately suggest getting an orthodontists opinion first. Based on what my dentist recently told me, extractions can be linked to later problems with TMJ pain and problems. I would believe that too as I had several extractions as a child including a set of adult teeth plus wisdom teeth and I have had a lot of problems with TMJ. DD (9) just got braces last week, which seemed earlly to me but they do it in two stages and apparantly it is easier to move the teeth to create space at a younger age. I wanted to avoid extraction with her...it's not too much fun.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds absolutely bananas to me!!!!! Your dentist is a quack.

 

[pooh17]

I'm 35 years old and do not have wisdom teeth. What if she is like me and they never come in? I would definitely get a 2nd opinion. This guy does not sound on the up-and-up.

 

[jillyjoey]

Well -- I guess I had the opposite experience. My orthodontist (not dentist) pulled back teeth from both me & my sister (this was in the early 80's) to make room for wisdom teeth before we had our braces put on. Neither of us have had any problems and I have no "space" problems.

We're not there yet with our kids so I'll be anxious to hear what their dentist/orthodontist says.

 

[KarenB]

If you can, I would even see a few orthodontists. Many times the consultations are free. I was surprised how many different opinions there can be (found out with my own DSs).

Karen

 

[Luv'sTink]

My Nephew had teeth pulled to make room in his mouth for his teeth. His Mom works for a dentist and has for years. His smile is great and he spent less time in braces than most.

Do get other opinions, that is the best way to know how to go.

 

[angel_bright05]

I have a very small mouth and when I got braces I had 4 teeth pulled (1 from each quadrant of my mouth). They definately weren't my molars and don't let a general dentist do any orthodontic work! As for wisdom teeth, they may never even come in.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks so much for all the opinions. I am going to set up two other orthodontist appointments. We only have three people to pick from with our insurance and I picked the one a few people I know recommended. I will try the other two just to get more opinions.

I was not at all comfortable with the regular dentist putting braces on my daughter. My husband and I are also not convinced she needs teeth pulled. Her two eye teeth are just slightly turned and the rest of her teeth are great. I'll be curious what the orthodontists suggest. Thanks!

Lisa

 

[cristit14]

I had four molars pulled, then braces , then still had to get my wisdom teeth out. I guess I have a pretty small mouth.