Why Pull Baby Teeth if They're Just Going to Fall Out?

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Dec. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Has your orthodontist recently recommended that you have some of your child's baby teeth removed? It may sound crazy to you to pull out teeth that are just going to fall out on their own, but it can actually aid in orthodontic treatment.

"Some patients lose their baby teeth in a timely manner that won't impact the eruption of permanent teeth," says Dr. Aly Kanani, a leading Vancouver orthodontist. "But for some patients who hold on to their baby teeth for too long, damage can actually be done. For instance, if the mouth is too overcrowded, permanent teeth can become impacted, meaning they never fully emerge from the gums without assistance from a dentist or orthodontist."

Tooth extraction can prevent this, as well as preventing teeth from erupting in the wrong location.

But it's important to remember that there is no magic age at which a patient should have all of their baby teeth gone. It's important that parents take their child to an orthodontist by the age of seven so the teeth can be monitored. The orthodontist can watch how the teeth are following out to be sure they are being lost in the proper sequential order. If they are, and it's not taking more than two years, the orthodontist typically will not recommend extraction.

But some patients just take too long to lose those baby teeth, and that can negatively affect the permanent teeth.

In some cases, permanent teeth try to erupt behind a baby tooth that hasn't even become loose yet. This often happens with upper canine teeth. In this case, the baby tooth should be removed to allow for the permanent tooth to fully come in.

If your child has a case of severe overcrowding, it might also be necessary to remove some permanent teeth, or the use of a palatal expander to provide adequate room in the mouth.

Baby teeth will all fall out on their own eventually, but for some patients that might not happen before damage is done to the mouth. That's why it's so important for children to maintain regular visits with an orthodontist after the age of seven. At these monitoring appointments, the orthodontist will be able to see how things are progressing, and ensure the proper treatment is done at the right time.

But what happens if the baby tooth is removed but the permanent tooth behind it isn't ready to come in quite yet? Will that space be lost? Dr. Kanani will use a space maintainer to prevent other teeth from moving to the empty location.

Baby teeth are like spaceholders – they ensure the permanent teeth erupt in the right locations. But in some instances, a little bit of help is needed. Not every patient will require teeth to be removed, just as not every patient needs braces. Your orthodontist will create a custom treatment plan for your child that takes into account any unique issues facing them.

It's important to work with a certified orthodontist who will know when it's appropriate to remove baby teeth and when it isn't, and in what order the teeth should be removed.

Learn More:

Learn more about the services offered by BC Orthodontics Group by visiting their website (http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com) or contacting their office. Dr. Aly Kanani and his professional staff provide Orthodontic care for children (http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com/early-orthodontic-tr...) and adults. They serve Vancouver and surrounding areas.

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