Unnecessary Extractions/Slicing?

[momof2]

We recently moved across the US and saw a new pediatric dentist today. He recommended pulling 2 baby teeth and slicing the next ones "to make more room for the permanent teeth coming in." She has already lost the middle 2 teeth on the bottom and he wants to extract the ones right next to those and slice the canines. Our previous dentist (who we loved and who did tons of work on this child due to lack of enamel on her 2year molars) never recommended anything like this for her or our 11 year old son. This treatment plan really concerns me. What would be the circumstances where this would be NECESSARY? Thanks so much

[Daniel Ravel DDS, FAAPD]

Dear momof2,

Selective extractions are useful when there is severe and obvious crowding of the lower front teeth.

Disking of baby canine teeth is useful when there is moderate crowding of the lower front teeth.

These treatments should be performed when the parents understand, and feel comfortable with, the idea of selectively extracting or disking teeth. These are optional treatments.