[jacquelinebg]

Please excuse my question. I have a huge struggle here and I am hoping to find answers. My dentist insists that I do not let the orthodontist have my son's teeth pulled in order to get braces. He says that having teeth removed for braces makes the palate smaller, which crowds the adolescent development of the pituitary gland. This, he maintains, affects later development of the reproductive system because hormonal development is impaired by a pituitary gland that never grew to full size.

My dentist also tells me his friend has an infertility practice and of the couples his friend sees, he has seen this bear out.
My son has been prescribed this course of treatment. I am humbly asking those who read this, could you tell me please:

a.)whether it is you or your partner who are suffering from infertility issues, and
b.)if either of you have had teeth (usually bicuspids) removed for braces.

Thank you so, so much. Your responses will help me with an agonizing decision.
Yours truly, and I pray God gives you all beautiful children,
Jacqueline

[arudegirl]

a) dh is the main reason we have infertility issues, i have a blocked tube but it's probably not an infertility factor.

b) i got my braces off last october after having them on for 2 1/2 years. i didn't have any teeth extracted and had severe crowding on the bottom row. you might want to see if anyone in your area uses the damon system. not sure if it's more costly than the regular route, but i'm very happy with the end results. dh has never had braces and still has MF infertility.

[Jenny3343]

I can't say that I know anyone who has had braces and also has fertility problems. My husband had braces and he is not infertile, neither is his sister who also had braces...

[makenalelu]

No idea if this is tied together or not. I have extensive orthodontic work growing up...retainers, braces for 3 1/2 years. I did have teethed pulled, but they were baby teeth, when I was very young.

[Littlebean]

Hi... Let me just tell you that I have worked for an orthodontist for 12 years and I have never ever heard that having teeth pulled causing infertilty.

[Roxane]

Just have to jump in here...

I also worked at an orthodontic office for 6 years and I have never ever heard of this. Personally, to get the facts straight I would:

• Speak to a reproductive endocrinologist about this subject. Are you already seeing one?
• Make SURE your Ortodontist is a BOARD CERTIFIED Orthodontist. This makes all the difference in the world! They have 4+ more years of schooling and special training. Did you know that any regular dentist can do braces?.... scary thought considering all the money you are paying and your sons oral health.
• Ask your BC orthodontist about this matter. If I still worked for mine, I would ask for you.

Good Luck to you and your son! I hope you find a valid answer. But honestly we did some extractions of bicuspids and have never heard of this before.... have you also tried to google it?

[readyinKC]

Im sure theres no truth behind this, however I had to have some back teeth extracted before I got my braces. This was many years ago. i think I was 14. Im 32 now. I've had 3 failed IUI's & Im in the middle of an IVF cycle. Totally unexplained infertility thus far.

[flashgal24]

I do not see how there can be a connection. I had braces for 2 1/s years, 12 teeth pulled (baby and adult), 7 reatiners, had my tonsils removed b/c mouth was too crowded, and had my jaw wired shut. We have unexplained infertility. But I think whatever you doc is telling you has little to no weight behind it. If it affected the pituitary gland, I wouldn't be 5'9". My brother also had very similar orthodontic work done, and he is 6'4" and has a 2 and a half year old little girl. He had no TTC issues.

[tygerlilly]

Originally Posted by Littlebean

Hi... Let me just tell you that I have worked for an orthodontist for 12 years and I have never ever heard that having teeth pulled causing infertilty.

I am laughing at this conversation because I too have worked in the Dental field for a long time, almost 8 years... I have worked Ortho, Endo, OS, Prosth, Perio, OH (military) and I have never heard this. Sounds like your dentist doesn't like the competition lol. Removing teeth for ortho is fairly common, this creates space to reduce the crowding... and if your teeth are connected to infertility, this may be a medical break through! I do know that in pregnancy you can get gingivitis even while caring for your teeth, and it can cause preterm labor. I would get another opinion lol. Feel free to PM me any questions

[SLC21]

I not only had four adult teeth (bicuspids, I think) removed for braces, I had several baby teeth removed because they didn't get loose, causing overcrowding when adult teeth came in. I am also experiencing infertility, although I would not attribute it to this; my mom had a very similar pattern that I am experiencing, and she had no teeth removed. I don't recall the year I had my teeth removed, but I do believe it was before I experienced secondary amenorrhea. (I got my period, it was regular, and now I rarely get one). I had never heard of this as a possible cause, so I do find it intersting, but like I said, my mom had the same problems I'm having and she has all her teeth intact...

[nudles74]

Seems quite unlikely. My husband is a physician and he said that it is totally ridiculous. I did have some bicuspids removed (adult) before I had my braces....so, it is interesting. My infertility is unexplained and I have had a heck of alot of tests!!!
I would take this with a grain of salt....
Good luck, Nik

[dylansmommy]

well i'll add to this just becuz lol...i had braces as an adult...i had one lower front tooth pulled becuz of crowding midway thru the process...i had my braces finally removed in march of 07 and while i had no periods for the entire prior 2 years i was 5 months pregnant at the time...so while this would not have affected..ah hem pituitary development as i was 27 at the time if anything maybe braces made me fertile lol...i have no explanation for the how and why and would take that just as well as anything...i would get a second opinion for your son and ask your re's opinion as well...if it really bothers you ...the what if aspect...don't have them removed...always an option as well! good luck and good wishes!