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Orthodontics · single question

A 70-year-old man wants his teeth aligned. All of the following are reasonable options EXCEPT:

  1. Restorative/prosthetic alignment with veneers or crowns
  2. Clear aligner therapy
  3. Serial extraction
  4. Fixed orthodontic appliances
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Serial extraction

  • A. Restoratively driven alignment is a legitimate adult option, especially when teeth already need restoration.
  • B. Aligners are appropriate for adults and often preferred for esthetics and comfort.
  • C. Correct (the EXCEPTION). Serial extraction is an INTERCEPTIVE procedure performed in the MIXED DENTITION (roughly ages 8–11) to guide erupting permanent teeth into a crowded arch. It depends on unerupted teeth and active growth — both absent at age 70, making it meaningless in an adult.
  • D. Fixed appliances work in adults; treatment is slower and anchorage/periodontal status matters, but it is a valid option.

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