A question that comes up often in orthodontic consultation, diagnosis, and treatment planning is: Will it be necessary to remove premolar teeth to straighten your teeth or to correct your malocclusion (bite)? The answer is that it depends. There are several factors to consider, including the degree of crowding; flaring; thick versus thin gum tissue; missing, fractured, diseased, or impacted teeth; and the severity of the overbite or jaw imbalance. A general observation is that about 25 percent of the time extractions are clearly not indicated. These are situations where crowding is mild to moderate, the front teeth are not flared  [ Read More ]