Dental News You Can Use: Is pulling permanent teeth necessary?

Q: My children's dentist mentioned pulling permanent teeth for braces? Pulling permanent teeth?  that doesn't sound right.

.hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } A. Let's start with some general advice before we get into specifics.  If it doesn't sound right then don't do it.  In fact, don't do anything until you are comfortable that it does feel right.  Get a second opinion...maybe even a third opinion (more than that just gets confusing).  ANY time you have questions, ask them.  You are your child's advocate and you must be comfortable with any decisions before you give consent. 
 
Now onto the specifics of your situation.  As I've already suggested, ask questions.  Ask LOTS of questions.  Ask your dentist why he wants to remove those teeth.  Which ones? Will your dentist be removing these teeth or someone else? Will your dentist be providing the braces or someone else?   Is timing important?  What does your dentist fear may happen if you do NOT remove the teeth?  Does your dentist anticpate additional future extractions?  Armed with all this information you can then decide if you want additional opinions.  Please get them from qualified dental professionals.  Everyone has a friend or relative with lots of advice to share but, unless they are really educated in dentistry, theit opinions may make things even more muddy.  At some point it does come down to trust, so you also need to find a dentist you truly trust. 
 
There are plenty of reasons to remove permanent teeth.  There are also reasons to not remove these teeth.  Once these teeth are removed you cannot then change your mind; permanent teeth do not grow back.  Bottom line...be sure that before you give consent that you ARE comfortable based on all the information you have gathered.    You love to see your child smile.  I reccomend you do some research so that you can help assure that this smile is a healthy one.