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My 9 year old daughter had both upper primary molars extracted (next to her eye teeth) to make room for her adult canines to come down. The dentist would like to see the molars come down to make room for the canines to straighten out. They appear to be at a 45 degree angle at the present time. I'm just wondering what the success rate for this procedure is? She didn't handle the extraction very well, and I'm concerned that if the canines don't straighten out, she will require surgery or something more painful down the road. Is surgery a must in impacted canines?? Does her age play a role in any of this?
While extraction of primary teeth is a common practice to aid in the growth and development of the permanent teeth, if you have questions regarding your child's specific needs, I would suggest visiting a board certified orthodontist in your area. Most orthodontists provide free initial consultations and will be able to look at your daughter's teeth to really inform you of potential needs in the future.
If permanent canines are impacted and will not erupt on their own, there is a surgery to assist the orthodontist in moving the teeth. Many times an orthodontist will make room for the teeth and then with the help of a surgeon who places brackets on the impacted teeth, they are able to pull the teeth into place.
Your question about her age is a good question. The AAO (American Association of Orthodontists www. braces.org) recommend that every child be screened by an orthodontist by age 7. There are many things that can be more easily done before the child reaches 10 or 11 that will prevent or at least improve issues that will occur when all of the baby (primary) teeth are lost.
Please let me know if this answers your question.
Thank you,
Dr. Kelly Morgan
www. morganorthodontics.com

My 5 year old is a thumb sucker and always has been. We can't seem to break her of the habit. Is this causing any permament damage, and are there corrections that we can still try to do to stop this?

Is there a way to speed up time in braces?

Can teeth be shortened?

Does an Orthodontist do porcelain veneers or other cosmetic procedures?

How old is perfect for ortho work? I just saw a kid in my son's class with braces, he is 7. I thought that was really young?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a consultation with an orthodontist by age 7. Although your child may not need orthodontic treatment at this young age, some do. This early "Phase I" or "interceptive treatment" can eliminate the need for tooth extraction or surgery down the road and minimize developing growth problems.

I have always had gappy teeth. No problem but I hear it is a problem when you get older and they continue to separate. I hate braces. What are my options?
There are many orthodontic options for adults who are interested in straightening their teeth, correcting their bite, or closing spaces without traditional braces. Invisalign is an option that involves a series of clear, removable aligners that can treat many forms of malocclusions. Consult with an Invisalign certified orthodontist. www.invisalign.com.

Although the average length of orthodontic treatment has decreased because of newer technologies and materials, most children and adults spend 12-24 months in braces. Following these 10 simple “rules” can speed up treatment and result in a healthy, white, straight smile!

10. Brushing and flossing your teeth can be challenging when wearing braces, but it is extremely important to do both consistently. Brush after every meal.

9. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Although manual toothbrushes can be very effective, power toothbrushes, such as Sonicare and Oral B, are great and come with specialized orthodontic attachments. The amount of time spent and technique used is more important than the type of brush.

8. Brushing technique is key. Use circular motions between the bracket and the gum line. Spend 10 seconds on each tooth and at least 2 minutes total.

7. Floss daily. This keeps the gums from developing gingivitis and periodontal disease. Floss threaders and small “proxy brushes” help to make this task easier.

6. Rinse twice a day with an antiseptic mouth rinse. This will help to keep the bacterial load down, prevent gingivitis, and maintain fresh breath.