Nolan Gould of the hit TV show Modern Family has an uncommon gift for comedy, but he also has a very common orthodontic problem: too many teeth for the size of his mouth, which often results in “crowding.”
“My teeth used to be pretty messed up,” Nolan recently told Dear Doctor magazine in an exclusive interview. “I had two extra teeth when I was born. They hadn't come out (erupted) yet. And all the other teeth that were already there were starting to point backwards because it was getting so crowded in my mouth. They had to remove those two (extra) teeth,” he said.
Although being born with extra teeth is somewhat unusual, needing to have teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons is not. In fact, orthodontic treatment often involves removing teeth to relieve crowding. It makes sense when you think about it: When there are too many teeth for the size of the dental arches (upper and/or lower jaws) or the teeth are larger in size than the dental arch can accommodate, there may not be enough space to align them properly. The necessary space can be created by removing teeth.
The teeth most frequently extracted for orthodontic reasons are the first bicuspid teeth. These are the ones right between the cuspid, or eyeteeth (under the eyes) and the molars (biggest back teeth). Once there is enough space, the orthodontist can choose from a variety of orthodontic appliances to align the teeth, depending on the specific needs of the individual.
In Nolan's case, it was the extra two teeth he was born with that were removed. Afterwards, the young actor's orthodontist was able to shift Nolan's remaining teeth into proper alignment using orthodontic appliances called Crozats. Made of metal wires, Crozats go around the back teeth and behind the front teeth, making them virtually invisible.
“You can remove them, which is really good for acting, especially because you can't see them,” Nolan explained. “I can wear them 24/7 and nobody will ever notice.”
Nolan's orthodontic appliances may not be noticeable, but his fabulous smile certainly is!
If you would like to learn more about improving tooth alignment with orthodontics, please contact us today to schedule an appointment for a consultation. If you would like to read Dear Doctor's entire interview with Nolan Gould, please see “Nolan Gould.” Dear Doctor also has more on “Tooth Removal for Orthodontic Reasons.”
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Burbank, CA Dentist
Edward C. Joseph, D.D.S.
Edward C. Joseph, D.D.S.
2701 West Alameda Ave, Suite #403
Burbank, CA 91505
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- 2018
- December (6)
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- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
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- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
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- Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
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- The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
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- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
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- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
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- 2017
- December (5)
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
- 3 Ways You Can Help Your Child Feel at Home at the Dentist
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- Air Abrasion Could be a More Pleasant Alternative to the Dental Drill
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- Complications from Missing Teeth Could Limit Your Replacement Options
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Techniques for Keeping Impacted Canine Teeth from Spoiling Your Smile
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- An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
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- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
- Restore a Flawed Tooth in as Little as One Visit with Composite Resin
- You Should Brush and Floss Around Your Implant to Ensure its Longevity
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- 2016
- November (5)
- 4 Reasons you may want Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
- Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
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- Make Efforts to Protect Your Teeth from Disease While Wearing Braces
- What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- June (5)
- Crown Lengthening Opens up New Teeth Restoration Possibilities
- Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
- 4 Reasons Saving Your Child's Decayed Baby Tooth is a Good Idea
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
- May (5)
- Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
- Here's What to Do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Sedation Therapy can reduce Anxiety in Children during Dental Visits
- Weigh a Poor Smile's Emotional and Social Cost when Considering Restorations
- March (5)
- Removable Dentures Remain a Viable Option for People with Total Tooth Loss
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Test Out Your Future Look With a 'Trial Smile'
- 2015
- December (5)
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
- Three Considerations for Working with Your Dentist on Your Smile Makeover
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- 2014
- August (5)
- Dental Hygienist - Your Partner in Preventing Disease and Maintaining Oral Health
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Replace Missing Teeth to Prevent Other Teeth From Moving Out of Place
- Taking Precautions Before, During and After Implants Will Help Ensure Success
- Conscious Sedation can Make Your Child's Dental Visit More Pleasant
- 2013
- December (5)
- Do Clear Orthodontic Aligners Really Work?
- Dental Amalgam Fillings Remain a Safe and Reliable Tooth Restoration Option
- Monitoring Blood Pressure is Important for Both Your General and Oral Health
- Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
- New Permanent Teeth - Faster Than Ever!
- October (5)
- Are You an Athlete? Here Are Five Reasons You Should Wear a Mouthguard
- Dental Implant Maintenance: 5 Facts You Should Know
- Advances in Clear Aligners Make Them a Viable Choice for More Teens
- Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals
- Implant Overdentures: a Marriage of Options for Lower Jaw Tooth Replacement
- 2012
- August (7)
- Tooth Brushing: Don't Overdo It!
- American's Obsession With Bad Breath
- Top 5 Advantages of Dental Implants
- Factors that Can Influence a Dental Implant
- Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
- Child Star Nolan Gould Talks About Tooth Extractions, Orthodontic Treatment
- How Does Tooth Bleaching Work?
- 2011
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