Sometimes it is necessary to remove one or more teeth for your orthodontic treatment be successful. This process is called Tooth Extraction (to “extract” means to take out or remove something). Most Orthodontists try to avoid extraction, but if your teeth are severely crowded, there might be no other alternative. Tooth extraction is usually done in the office of an Oral Surgeon or Dentist.
Wisdom Teeth removal is considered an in-office surgical procedure, so it usually requires a short period of sedation. Removal of other types of teeth is generally done with only local anesthetic while you are fully conscious. If you have teeth extracted, be sure to follow all of the instructions for keeping the extraction sites clean; otherwise, you could develop an infection.
In the “old days” tooth extraction was considered a common part of orthodontic treatment. Nowadays, it is done only if other techniques won’t accomplish the desired outcome.