AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
Question Dear DR Teig,
sometimes I've noticed people who have their lower front teeth pushed together and when I look in the mouth I see they still have their wisdom teeth.
hypothetically, if a pt had a problem as above, and one of their molars, say the molar nearest the front had major decay, would removing the decayed molar relieve the pressure on the front teeth so they could eventually self correct ?
would a pt need braces to stabilize or correct the front teeth?
thanks for your reply....dax
Answer Dax - Removal of the first molar even if decayed will not allow for a decrease in the crowding of the front teeth. Teeth are in constant movement throughout life. That movement is forward and upward or downward in the case of the upper teeth. The upward movement is eliminated from the constant wearing of the teeth. Forward movement, however, is difficult to eliminate and will not reverse even though forces driving the teeth forward are removed.
