Topic Overview
Serial extraction is the carefully planned and selective removal of
baby (primary) teeth to create room for incoming permanent
(secondary) teeth. The reason dentists or orthodontists
consider removing teeth is because after age 8, the space for a child's teeth
(arch length) doesn't increase.1 Severe crowding of
teeth at this age means that permanent teeth are likely to come in out of
place. This can result in a bad bite or crooked teeth (malocclusion).
Often an orthodontist will remove the primary canine teeth once the
two front secondary incisors on top and bottom have erupted. This makes room
for the permanent incisors. After 2 years, when the first premolars and
permanent canines are ready to erupt, the orthodontist again checks for
crowding. More teeth are removed if necessary. Often the orthodontist chooses
to remove the first premolars.
References
Citations
- Dale JG, Dale HC (2005). Interceptive guidance of
occlusion with emphasis on diagnosis. In TM Graber et al., eds.,
Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques, 4th
ed., pp. 405–489. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | William F. Hohlt, DDS - Orthodontics |
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| Last Revised | January 11, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
January 11, 2011
Dale JG, Dale HC (2005). Interceptive guidance of
occlusion with emphasis on diagnosis. In TM Graber et al., eds.,
Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques, 4th
ed., pp. 405–489. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby.