15
March
2
Comments
Does Jaw Size Affect Your Bite?
Dear Dr. S.,
My son’s orthodontist says that it appears that his mouth is simply too small for his permanent teeth, which is why the orthodontist is recommending we remove some a couple permanent teeth to make room for braces to help the remaining teeth find the right location. Removing permanent teeth sounds like a big step to me. What should we do?
Sincerely,
Joe R.
Dear Joe,
A common reason why teeth get crowded in a patient’s mouth is in fact a jaw that is too small. While in many cases, braces alone are enough to correct a malocclusion, in a patient with severe crowding, and in whom the jaw has stopped growing, removal of one or more permanent teeth might be a way to correct the issue.
A common reason why teeth get crowded in a patient’s mouth is in fact a jaw that is too small. While in many cases, braces alone are enough to correct a malocclusion, in a patient with severe crowding, and in whom the jaw has stopped growing, removal of one or more permanent teeth might be a way to correct the issue.