Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 3/29/2004

Question
My daughter who is 12 years old has a gap of about 1 cm between her upper two front incisors. Her dentist has suggested removing one of her lower molars so that the teeth on either side of the gap will grow and eliminate the gap. Can this be true? It doesn't sound logical, but of course I suppose these teeth things can be very strange. However being unsure about this piece of advice, I have delayed taking my daughter back to the dentist.

Answer
John,
Without seeing your daughter, I cannot give you any definitive advice...but I cannot figure out how removing a lower molar can have ANY effect on a space between upper front teeth. I would DEFINITELY get a second opinion from an orthodontist. Maybe even two orthodontists. I would see what they have to recommend. But I would definitely NOT REMOVE any molars at this time. See what the orthodontists recommend. Good Luck,

Jeff Dalin, DDS