Hello doctor, We are looking at getting braces for my 14-year-old daughter. She does not need wisdom teeth removed, but she has a small baby tooth number 22. The last dentist we went to see suggested removing it because there is no enough root. They suggested to remove before braces and bridge it. I am concerned the bridging may get damaged. She has only 15 teeth, and number 12 never came out. (wisdom teeth are coming out and visible on X-ray). Is it possible the baby tooth can remain, or will it fall out during the braces procedure? I thought if we try to keep it then once the braces are off we can have a veneer or overlay placed on top of the baby tooth? I do not feel comfortable for my 14-year-old daughter to have bridging work at such a young age, and she would then have to always need a new tooth or bridge every 7 to 10 years which is expensive. If the baby tooth needs removing, then is it possible to remove it but not place another tooth and close that gap while the braces are on? Can this be achieved with braces? At least her mouth will have the same amount of teeth in it. I am getting different opinions to form dentists, and some have said all four wisdom teeth need removal, and this one said no need. Please provide suggestions.
Hello. Please attach the X-ray for a better understanding. Anyway, the milk tooth has to be removed. The wisdom tooth usually develops and erupts by around 18 to 20 years of age. So need to see X-ray for confirmation. No need for a bridge at this age go for braces to correct alignment and if possible, close the space without a bridge.