What is a Tooth Extraction? Why Do I Need One? Treatment Options and More
For certain orthodontic cases, tooth extraction – or pulling out teeth to remove them – is necessary to achieve the best results, with straight teeth and a healthy smile.
Pulling teeth is only done if absolutely necessary: your orthodontist will consider all options to achieve a healthy smile before recommending an extraction. For those with extra teeth or too much crowding to fit all the teeth, extraction is an extremely safe and effective way to help align the teeth properly.
Getting teeth extracted can make people nervous. With careful supervision from an experienced orthodontist and an expert extraction procedure from a qualified dentist or oral surgeon, your extraction experience will be comfortable and effective and allow you to achieve the healthy smile you deserve.
This guide will inform you of everything you need to know about dental extractions before or during braces or Invisalign orthodontic treatment.
Table of Contents:
About Tooth Extractions | Which Teeth Get Extracted? | Alternatives to Extraction | When and Why is a Tooth Extraction Necessary Before Orthodontic Care? | Other Reasons for Extraction | Signs You May Need an Extraction | How Teeth Are Extracted | Dental Extractions Before Orthodontic Treatment: Before and After | FAQs
About Tooth Extractions
Tooth extraction is when a tooth – or several teeth – are pulled out of the mouth and removed . There are many reasons to have a tooth extracted: one reason is in treating a patient for orthodontic care, to achieve straight teeth, a healthy bite, and a beautiful smile.
In certain orthodontic cases, dental extractions are sometimes necessary to alleviate crowded teeth and to establish a stable bite. These extractions are done before or during orthodontic treatment.
Not all cases will require extractions – in fact, it is usually not necessary. If it’s possible to align all existing teeth into a healthy bite and correct positioning, then they will do it without extractions – but for certain patients, tooth extraction is an effective part of achieving straight teeth with long-lasting results.
Your orthodontist will refer you for extraction of 1 to 4 teeth, depending on your specific diagnosis. (Wisdom teeth are considered separately from orthodontic extraction cases since there are other reasons for removing those molars). Removing an odd number of teeth is common when treating asymmetry in the bite pattern or traumatic biting.
When deciding which teeth to remove, your orthodontist will consider how best to fit the other teeth into their healthy, correct positions, with the least possible disruption to the mouth or the patient’s facial shape and tongue positions. 3D-modeling scans can help orthodontists determine with extractions will be the most useful.
- Teeth cannot be straightened with braces without first undergoing extraction(s)
- Tooth is too large to fit in mouth
- Tooth grows in the wrong direction
- Tooth is sore or painful
- Tooth is discolored
- Tooth is sensitive to the touch
- Tooth appears chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged
Which Teeth Get Extracted?
Which teeth are extracted depends on the patient’s specific case, but generally, the premolars (the 4th and 5th teeth in order from the front) are the most likely to be removed.
In some cases, a back molar may be removed in addition, or instead, of the premolars.
Alternatives to Extraction
For certain patients, it may be possible to widen the dental palate in order to make room for the teeth, rather than extracting them. This is more commonly effective in children, whose bones are still growing and can thus adapt quickly to the expansion of the palate. For adults, whose bones have stopped growing, this may be less effective.
When it can’t be expanded, some surgical procedures can add bone to the palate , allowing for more expansion in adult palates. Alternatively, it is sometimes possible to shift the teeth further back into the mouth using orthodontic care (called distalization ), making more room for crowded teeth rather than extracting them. While these are newer treatments, both of these procedures have been found to be effective.
Tooth extraction is a reliable, safe, and effective method for straightening teeth with long-lasting results and healthy smiles. Your orthodontist will only refer you for a tooth extraction if they determine that it is the best intervention for achieving the best results for your smile.
Dental extractions are usually done by a general dentist or an oral surgeon, not in an orthodontic office. Your orthodontist will do a thorough examination, including x-rays and/or 3D imaging, and will issue a referral for removal only if extractions are absolutely necessary. Once teeth are extracted and the area has healed, you can begin the rest of your orthodontic treatment.
When and Why is a Tooth Extraction Necessary Before Orthodontic Care?
Not all orthodontic cases require tooth extractions. In fact, only a small percentage of cases require extractions and those cases are usually having very crowded teeth (as stated above, many people will have wisdom teeth removed, but for reasons unrelated to orthodontic care).
Tooth extraction is necessary to achieve the right results in cases where keeping all the teeth in will not allow for straight teeth and a healthy bite. Only severe dental crowding requires extraction.
Some Common Reasons for Dental Crowding:
- Too many teeth
- Jaw too small to support all the teeth properly
- Teeth are too big, or a specific tooth is too big or abnormally shaped
Other Reasons for Extraction
In certain cases, a tooth may need to be extracted prior to orthodontic treatment because it has decayed or become damaged from prior crowding, due to bacterial growth and plaque build-up . If the decay is too advanced, it may be more effective to simply remove the teeth and align the teeth properly without it, by filling the vacant space with healthy teeth, guided into position by braces or Invisalign.
Extractions are especially necessary for cases in which the results will be unstable without removing teeth, resulting in shifting and misalignment later on, requiring more orthodontic care to correct. In that case, it makes more sense to extract teeth in the first place to achieve healthy, safe results designed to last.
A very severe bite issue, such as underbite , open bite , or deep overbite , may be fixed with help from tooth extraction, especially if the patient elects not to have surgery to correct the condition.
Signs You May Need an Extraction
Your orthodontist will thoroughly examine your teeth, including comprehensive x-rays , to determine the placements of each tooth and what will need to be done to achieve a healthy bite and smile – including the possibility of extractions.
Some of the following signs may indicate a need for extraction, but it depends on the specifics of your case – even if some of these apply to your teeth, it does not necessarily mean they will need to be removed.
- Tooth is too large to fit in position
- Tooth growing in the wrong direction
- Tooth is sore or painful
- Tooth is discolored or exhibits signs of decay
- Tooth is very sensitive to the touch
- Tooth appears chipped, cracked, or damaged
- Tooth is loose (adult tooth) due to decay or periodontal disease
- Issues with biting or chewing
This list is just to help you understand some of the signs of possible extraction cases: it does not mean your teeth will have to be extracted! If your orthodontist suggests an extraction, you can be sure it’s an informed opinion to achieve the best results, for a smile you’ll love and a healthy bite built to last.
How Teeth Are Extracted
If your orthodontic case requires dental extraction, your orthodontist will refer you to a general dentist or oral surgeon for the extraction. Orthodontists are dedicated entirely to shifting teeth, while general dentists and oral surgeons offer a wider variety of procedures, so they have all the medical equipment necessary to extract teeth. Basic tooth extraction is usually done at your general dentist’s office, while more complex extractions may be done by an oral surgeon.
Teeth may be extracted before or during orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign. Once the extractions have healed properly, the teeth can be guided into the site vacated by the extracted tooth.
You will not feel pain during the extraction: your dentist or oral surgeon will use either local anesthesia or sedation to remove teeth without pain. The dentist or surgeon will expertly and swiftly remove the teeth. After extractions, they may use a few small stitches to close the hole. These will either dissolve or be removed after a week or so when you come in for a check-up.
You can go home the same day. You may feel a bit of pain or discomfort when the anesthesia wears off: use any over-the-counter pain medication to treat. Avoid crunchy or sticky foods for a few days whole the holes heal, and rinse your mouth out with salt water or an antiseptic rinse provided by your dentist to keep them clean.
Your dentist may also provide you with a specialized oral syringe to wash out any potential food or debris that could get caught in the holes left by extractions. Your mouth is one of the fastest healing parts of your body, so the holes will heal over very quickly.
Once the holes from tooth removal have healed, you can begin or continue orthodontic treatment: before too long, the gap created by the extraction will be filled by the healthy teeth in proper alignment, under supervision by your doctor.
Dental Extractions Before Orthodontic Treatment: Before and After
Alonda, 23 years old, lower incisor extraction case, before and after Invisalign treatment
Nia, 19 years old, extraction case, before and after Invisalign treatment
Frequently Asked Questions about Teeth Extractions
Do You Have to Get Teeth Extracted Before Braces?
Not all cases require teeth extractions before beginning braces treatment. In fact, only a small percentage of orthodontic cases require extractions. Your orthodontist will decide if extractions are necessary to achieve a healthy bite and a beautiful smile. Tooth extraction is never the first option: they will determine what other procedures may be possible before recommending tooth extraction.
Do You Have to Get Teeth Extracted Before You Begin Invisalign Treatment?
Only certain orthodontic cases will require extractions. If you are getting Invisalign, your orthodontist will determine what procedures will be necessary to help your teeth achieve their best results. Tooth extraction is a last-choice option, but if your orthodontist recommends an extraction, it will certainly help you achieve a healthy, happy smile built to last.
How Do I Know If I Need Teeth Extracted?
Your orthodontist will make a professional decision about whether teeth need to be extracted. Some signs you might need a tooth extracted include teeth growing in the wrong direction; teeth too large to fit in the proper positions; jaw too small to fit all the teeth; teeth discolored or showing other signs of decay; or sensitive or painful teeth.
Very pronounced issues with your bite may also require tooth extraction to be properly corrected, especially if surgery is not an option.
Why Do Orthodontists Pull Teeth?
Orthodontists do not pull teeth. They decide if extraction is necessary to achieve a healthy bite and beautiful smile with straight teeth and then refer you to a general dentist or oral surgeon to complete the extraction. If there are too many teeth to fit in the jaw properly, or certain teeth cannot properly space into the row of teeth, it is sometimes more effective to remove the tooth than try to find space for it in the teeth.
Your orthodontist may recommend between 1-4 teeth, depending on the specifics of the case, to achieve the best results. Dentists and oral surgeons are certified, trained, and experienced in dental extractions and will only do this procedure to help you achieve the best results for your smile.
How Common is Tooth Extraction for Braces?
Tooth extraction is not very common for orthodontic care. It is more common for adults, whose teeth and bones have stopped growing and thus may be more difficult to move, creating severe crowding. Your dental team will remove as few teeth as possible to achieve the best results.
Is it Okay to Extract Teeth for Braces?
Yes, it is very safe to extract teeth for braces. Orthodontists are trained and experienced in treating complex cases requiring teeth extractions. They will authorize the removal of only those teeth that absolutely necessary for achieving a healthy, beautiful smile and a correct bite. Only a minor percentage of braces cases require tooth extraction.
Does it Hurt to Have Teeth Extracted?
Using local anesthesia, you should not feel any pain during the extraction. When the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some pain or discomfort, but this can be easily treated with any over-the-counter pain medication such as Advil or ibuprofen.
Follow the directions of your dental professional to ensure proper healing. Most simple extraction cases heal very fast, so the pain should go away in a day or two.
Can Orthodontists Extract Teeth?
Orthodontists are trained, licensed, and experienced with treating cases requiring extraction. but orthodontists do not typically perform the actual extractions. Instead, after determining which extractions will be necessary, they will refer you to another dental professional, usually a general dentist or an oral surgeon, who performs the extractions. When extractions are done, you will need to return to your orthodontist.
Does Tooth Extractions Change Face Shape?
It is possible you may notice a slight difference in your face shape after getting your teeth removed. Teeth have deep roots, which connect with the bones in your face and contribute to the shape of your face.
Those changes are minor if you notice them at all. Faces change over time regardless of extractions or orthodontic treatment, so most face-shape changing is a result of this natural process.
How Many Teeth Get Removed for Braces?
If tooth extraction is necessary for your braces or Invisalign treatment, your orthodontist will carefully decide which teeth and how many teeth need to be pulled. They may remove between 1 and 4 teeth. Removing an odd number of teeth is common for asymmetry cases, where the teeth are not divided evenly in your face. The specific number depends on your case.
Do Teeth Move When One Is Pulled?
Yes – teeth extraction is one effective method to align teeth properly and create a proper bite and healthy smile. By removing one tooth, the space makes room for other teeth to move in, and the orthodontist can carefully adjust the teeth into their correct positions.
This is especially useful for cases where the patient has too many teeth, or overcrowding makes it impossible for all the teeth to align properly. On the other hand, if a tooth is removed and no orthodontic treatment is done, the adjacent teeth can unintentionally drift into the space after an extraction, causing biting issues, which could result in loss of teeth.
Is it Safe to Extract 4 Teeth at Once?
Extracting 4 teeth at once is not very common. Your dentist or oral surgeon will make the final determination, but generally, it takes a few appointments to remove 4 teeth. Your orthodontist will do a thorough examination to determine whether this will be a necessary procedure for your orthodontic need.
Once all the teeth are removed, your orthodontist will start you on braces or Invisalign shortly afterward to take advantage of the new space and begin properly aligning teeth, for optimal results, a healthy bite, and a great smile!
Are There Alternatives to Removing Teeth for Braces?
There are several alternative methods to tooth extraction. One involves surgically inserting more bone into the palate to help it expand and make room for all the teeth.
Another involves aligning teeth further back into the mouth, so the molars extend further back and make room for all the teeth. Ask your orthodontist if you have questions about these treatments.
How Much Does it Cost to Extract Teeth?
The cost of extraction depends on the type of extraction, the number of teeth, and how your orthodontist’s office bundles the cost of your care. Most of the time, extractions are not included in the orthodontic fee because patients are referred out to a separate office for this procedure. In most cases, dental insurance will cover fully or partially the cost of extractions.
Individual tooth removal in a dental office can cost between $75 and $500. Oral surgeons usually charge more due to the complexity of cases, so be sure to ask your orthodontist which you should see for your extraction.
