Teeth extracted vs. expansion surgery?

I just went to my ortho and found out that I need to fix a crossbite. My Ortho says I'm too old (29) and braces alone won't fix it. The bone is too hard now so he will either have to extract the tooth and the matching tooth on the other side or I'd have to go to an oral surgeon and have expansion surgery to fix the bone. I'd be able to keep all my teeth with the surgery. I also lost a couple of teeth in the very back bottom part of my mouth when I was really young. I never had it fixed so now my teeth are spread apart and it seems to be getting worse. So the ortho said I could either have those bottom teeth pulled forward or I could get implants.So should I get the implants and surgery (option 1) or should I get my teeth extracted (top teeth) and the bottom teeth pulled forward with the use of braces (option 2)


Option 1 will cost $15000


Option 2 will cost $3000


I don't care about the cost. I just want to know what you would do...Thank you so much


Jessica

Teeth extracted vs. expansion surgery?
Your dentist sounds state of the art, and has your best interests in mind.





Do not base your decision on money. You are going to use your mouth for the rest of your life and 15 thousand dollars is less than the price of a car, which you would use for only about 5 years. Keep a perspective on it.





Ask your dentist what he or she would do and then you will have the optimal treatment option.





PS. As a former dental practice manager and consultant in high end cosmetic and restorative dentistry, I would go with option 1 because it is the goal to retain all of your teeth for as long as possible. Losing even one tooth will effect all the rest of your teeth (as you have learned from experience) and will create its own set of problems down the road. The potential down the road problems may be just as complex, time consuming and expensive as the preventive measure suggested by your dentist.





Also, a dentist won't just suggest the most expensive option, if he believes your teeth and bite are not worth the effort or the expense then he will say so.
Reply:Option 2.
Reply:it makes no sense to go through the pain and cost of option one when you can do option two. NEVER forget that surgery always comes with a risk!!



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