Orthodontist teeth spacing- any experience?

[Cheburashka]

My son's orthodontist wanted to space his teeth by slightly filing them down in between. Has anyone ever had this done? Seems unnecessarily destructive to tooth enamel to me.

 

[starry_solo]

My son's orthodontist wanted to space his teeth by slightly filing them down in between. Has anyone ever had this done? Seems unnecessarily destructive to tooth enamel to me.

EEK! Mine wanted to break my jaw (through surgery) due to an overbite. I said no and went with headgear instead...

 

[Disneylover99]

My son's orthodontist wanted to space his teeth by slightly filing them down in between. Has anyone ever had this done? Seems unnecessarily destructive to tooth enamel to me.

It was an option presented to my daughter. I spoke with my dentist about it and he said it was perfectly fine for the enamel because the shaving was minimal. But we’ve opted to pull four teeth instead.

 

[DLgal]

That sounds like an orthodontist who doesn't know what they are doing. Their entire thing is supposed to be aligning teeth and creating space where it's needed.

My son's teeth were incredibly crowded. After 16 months of phase 2 braces and with rubber bands now, they are looking great with no extractions. He has 4 more months to go.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I’ve never heard of that. My daughter just got an expanded retainer put in to open/correct her bite and allow for space for the rest of her adult teeth come in.

 

[mrs. magoo]

I have had 4 with braces - one needed to have 2 teeth pulled and spacers for a bit, but we were never presented with shaving down teeth. I might ask for a second opinion. Three of mine went to the same orthodontist but he retired during the pandemic so the 4th went to a different one. The new one was much more aggressive with his treatment than the old one. It was fine and everything looks great now.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My daughter went thru 2 phases of braces and had an expander during the first phase. I'd get a second opinion.

 

[mefordis]

My son's orthodontist wanted to space his teeth by slightly filing them down in between. Has anyone ever had this done? Seems unnecessarily destructive to tooth enamel to me.

I'd get a second opinion. My daughter had invisalign and they didn't do that, however I just got invisalign and they did it a little bit but I'm old lol! I'd be reluctant to get that done to a child.

 

[cvjw]

Both of my boys had 2 phases of braces, starting in elementary school. My youngest had to have an expander in the roof of his mouth and spacers to make room for his teeth. No way I would let a Dr file down my kids teeth Unless there was NO other option. I bet there are other options.

 

[Christine]

No I wouldn't do it. I had to do the whole headgear and removal of wisdom teeth (later) to get the space I needed.

 

[JediBonas]

We've not had it done but it's a possibility for my son. He's missing two adult teeth (top incisors I believe) so depending on how his adult teeth come in he will either need braces (again), dental implants or they will shave down his teeth so they look "right." It's definitely not unheard of.

 

[Turn the Page]

We've not had it done but it's a possibility for my son. He's missing two adult teeth (top incisors I believe) so depending on how his adult teeth come in he will either need braces (again), dental implants or they will shave down his teeth so they look "right." It's definitely not unheard of.

DD16 is missing 5 adult teeth so I feel your pain. Her braces are coming off next month and luckily, since she has such severe crowding and didnt' have room for the teeth she is missing anyway, we have escaped the need for an implant. She is missing one of her incisors on the bottom which means you can see that something looks...off, if you're really looking for it and know what you're looking for. Otherwise everything seems to be functioning quite well.

 

[Skippy918]

I’ve never heard of this before. I would seek out another consult. How old is he? I thought an expander would solve the space issue.

 

[Skippy918]

EEK! Mine wanted to break my jaw (through surgery) due to an overbite. I said no and went with headgear instead...

Were you past puberty? My son had a herbst appliance with an expander to correct his overbite instead of the headgear.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

I would get a second opinion. And is the Dr a full-fledged orthodontist, as opposed to a dentist who takes a couple classes to hang out his ortho sign.

I had braces as an adult in my 20’s, and dr did a terrible job. My teeth were crowded, so 2 teeth pulled on top. I had no overbite, but he had me wear a face bow for a long time. He was mean and would complain about my teeth and yell at the kids as all the chairs in the one room. Basically I went to him because he was a half mile from my office job so convenient. Also my dentist called him when it was time to pull my teeth, suggested a different tooth on the one side and he refused. He was a bully. And yes, 40 years later, still a bad bite, wish i’d done braces a second time. And no, he wasn’t an “official” orthodontist.

So now, I always feel like I don’t have enough room for my tongue. And I didn’t really think about it until my daughter told me recently that’s how she felt (had 4 teeth pulled for braces).

My grandson had similar crowding on one side, and his orthodontist took the step of moving that one side of upper teeth sideways to make room. Braces off for a year now and teeth look great.

I would be very cautious in pulling teeth, gotta live with and be comfortable with your teeth for a lifetime. Don’t do anything because it’s easier for the dentist.

 

[Cheburashka]

I’ve never heard of this before. I would seek out another consult. How old is he? I thought an expander would solve the space issue.

He's 17.

 

[fly girl]

Never heard of that to fix spacing. And honestly, I wouldn't get it done. You probably couldn't tell aesthetically since it is likely very small, but still ... just doesn't sit well with me.

FWIW, as a kid my dentist would tell me, "You have a 1 pound size mouth with 2 pound sized teeth." Given that, you know now why I had to have 4 teeth pulled before getting braces for a proper straight smile - not to mention surgery to remove wisdom teeth too. Filing was never discussed with my large choppers. LOL

DD wears Invisalign and this was never brought up either. Now, her teeth aren't as large as mine, but I know they wanted to shift a few teeth to make a little to space between a couple of them. So with spacing and one tooth that is taking its dear sweet time to descend she is wearing them longer than originally predicted. Not a big deal.

I would get a second opinion or ask about alternative options.

 

[amylevan]

DD16 is missing 5 adult teeth so I feel your pain. Her braces are coming off next month and luckily, since she has such severe crowding and didnt' have room for the teeth she is missing anyway, we have escaped the need for an implant. She is missing one of her incisors on the bottom which means you can see that something looks...off, if you're really looking for it and know what you're looking for. Otherwise everything seems to be functioning quite well.

So there’s hope??? Just learned my DD8 is missing 4 adult teeth….not looking forward to the next few years.

 

[Turn the Page]

So there’s hope??? Just learned my DD8 is missing 4 adult teeth….not looking forward to the next few years.

There is hope. My DD also has severe crowding so she didn't have room for them anyway. Yours may or may not have that issue as well.

 

[Skippy918]

So there’s hope??? Just learned my DD8 is missing 4 adult teeth….not looking forward to the next few years.

My dd is missing one adult tooth. It never formed. I asked my bff who is a pediatric dentist and in cases where the adult tooth never formed, the baby tooth can stay put as long as possible. If it does come out, then it can be replaced with an implant in adulthood. Her own child is missing 2 permanent teeth.