Would I need to have teeth extracted for the brace to work?

Q. Hi, I have some questions about six month braces and what they can achive, all my upper and lower front teeth have mild crowding except my lower two front teeth that slightly overlap by roughly 2mm, my worry is if i would need to have teeth extracted for the brace to work, basically what i am asking is how much room can be made with this brace ie: does it widen arches to make room, and how much space can be created with reprox or tooth slenderising not sure of the correct term for this, also does reprox affect the health of teeth. Thanks for taking the time to read my question.

A. It sounds like your treatment could be carried out without extractions.  In my practice I rarely take teeth out for orthodontics.  6 month smiles treats the front 10 teeth (the region of your smile) it is a great treatment for crooked and spaced teeth, but it is not as effective at moving roots of teeth to the degree traditional braces can which need at least 12 months treatment.  If I thought 6 months smiles was not suitable for you I would recommend invisalign or Damon braces.  You can gain approx 4mm with reprox in each jaw depending on where the crowding is and still stay in the harder enamel.

Dr Riten Patel The Mulberry 18 Ashley Road, Walton on Thames Surrey, KT12 1HS Web: www.mulberrydental.co.uk Tel: 01932 223 479 View My Profile Dr Patel

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