Welcome to our Friday Focus. Dr. “O”, your Phoenix orthodontist, is here to discuss bimaxillary protrusion, which indicates when a patient’s teeth are spread out. I realize this sounds like a fancy word.
We felt it was essential to discuss bimaxillary protrusion because, some months ago, when I made a video on why you shouldn’t extract teeth, one of the comments I received asked what to do when a patient has flared upper and lower teeth. This was particularly intriguing since, in my opinion, the query was posed by another orthodontist who may have been trying to get me to respond in a certain way. In short, I don’t have a firm belief that everyone who has bimaxillary protrusions needs extractions. Our approach is “case by case” treatment.
My Answer
Anyway, I told the person that one of the initial steps should be to evaluate a few distinct factors. For instance, it’s crucial to take a person’s facial pattern into account. Each person has a unique facial type. Bimaxillary protrusive teeth are advantageous for some facial types because they safeguard the position of the teeth in the mouth or jaw. For instance, a person with a square face can tolerate having a somewhat protruding bimaxilla. Different ethnic groups, such as Americans ,Africans and Asians, which tend to have higher incidences of bimaxillary protrusion, are another element at play.
Before determining if the patient has to have teeth extracted to cure bimaxillary protrusion, we take all these aspects into account.
The Effect of Bimaxillary Protrusion on the Facial Profile
The bimaxillary protrusion can have such severe side effects as to force the teeth so far forward that even speech is impacted. The detrimental effects it may have on the profile may also result in blatant aesthetic problems and low self-esteem. Patients seeking therapy for bimaxillary protrusion often prioritize improving their facial appearance as their top priority.
Considering Braces
The type of braces you are thinking about is another aspect that will influence your decision. The treatment consists of the removal of four teeth if you’re using traditional braces, which many doctors still do. I think that’s what the doctor was asking about in his inquiry and what he wants me to convey. Even though tooth extractions are occasionally essential, the decision ultimately depends on the patient, how the teeth fit into the individual’s face, and how to attain ideal functionality.
Therefore, I don’t believe that orthodontists should suggest tooth extractions for patients who have bimaxillary protrusions, as doing so can really do more damage than good. For the patient’s facial structure, having four teeth extracted may result in an unstable bite.
Extraction Is Not the Only Answer
The bimaxillary protrusion has typically been treated by removing the four first premolars, followed by the anterior teeth being retracted, especially in adolescent patients. This procedure tends to make the lips retrude, which lessens the convexity of the face. In our opinion, if extraction can be dodged, this approach is not worth thinking about.
One of the numerous things that sets our practice apart from others is the ability to use bracket systems other than standard braces to move the teeth back into place so that there is less flare without extracting teeth. We are able to perform things that other orthodontists cannot because we can do them using H4 braces, Damon braces, and other braces systems.
The bimaxillary protrusion can be successfully treated if a patient’s concerns are thoroughly considered when developing a treatment plan. E&S Orthodontics does that. There are alternatives to extracting teeth, so I hope this knowledge helps allay some of your worries. The next time someone comments on your bimaxillary protrusion, remember that there are other options besides tooth extraction that you might consider.
Please Note
There is still the possibility of receiving an incorrect diagnosis; only because your teeth are flared doesn’t necessarily indicate you have bimaxillary swell. The teeth might flare out for a variety of reasons, such as extreme crowding or the practice of thumb-sucking.
I am unsure if I can adequately cover this in a 3 to 4 minute Friday Focus because it can be a fairly complex topic. So, feel free to contact us or post a comment if you have any questions. I’ll try to address as many inquiries as I can. Give the clinic a call if you’re nearby to set up a free orthodontic consultation, and we’ll take care of you. And please, enjoy your weekend!
