*UPDATED 20 SEPT* Extraction decision- decision made!

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#16 Post by **sjsarre** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:29 am

Yeah I do think Wisdom teeth have an unfair reputation but I know with mine that they were pushing my teeth forwards... But if you've had them removed then you won't be having an problems with them blighters!!!

#17 Post by **iBorg** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:17 am

My only concern would be the lips. I agree with Meryaten that removing the bulk of braces would correct this. How's your bite? How close are you to a Class 1? As for aesthetics, (to quote an actress of a long time ago) "Darling you look marvvelloous.

Mike

#18 Post by **SandraJones** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:52 pm

I agree too about the braces impeding the closing of the lips, because mine used to be closed at rest and now with braces they are not !

I was just reading an Angle Orthodontist article about how bimaxillary protrusion normally exists in certain ethnic groups. So depending on the person, it may not be a "flaw" at all.

I'm ever bugged by this trend toward cookie-cutter faces. Too many noses are shaved of their interesting contours, too many lips are plumped to absurdity, too many teeth are veneered and over-whitened to the point where they look absolutely fake ... can we have some variety here ? Including imperfection ? Can less than "perfect" be beautiful/handsome ?

Am I the only one who thinks a retrognathic mandible is attractive ????

I also like upper lateral incisors rotated and tipped a bit so that they ever-so-slightly overlap the centrals. In fact, I'm thinking about having my orthodontist do this for me.

So anyway, overseasmel, I'm glad you feel like you are getting good support here. Your teeth really do look great !!

#19 Post by **overseasmel** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:56 am

Okay, I spoke with my ortho today and the update is this:

- I asked him the technical word for the issue and he said "procline" (he isn't a wordy man).
- Apparently my front top teeth are too "flared" and thus stick out a bit too much at the bottom.
- He would like to bring them in about 3-4mm (measured from the bottom of the front teeth, inwards), as this would give a much more ideal aesthetic result.
- He says there would be no long term ill-effects from NOT having the extractions.
- He says that my lips may or may not close fully without extractions. Basically it was a "probably" but also a "maybe not". He also admitted though that this was also the case with extractions, as soft tissue movement doesn't mirror hard tissue so you don't know until you try.
- He says I have about 9 months of treatment time left if I don't extract and 15 months if I do. I started with braces 9.5 months ago.

I said I would tell him by the next appointment (3 weeks time). He wants me to decide ASAP as the longer we delay the longer the treatment time will be.

Armed with this information, does anyone have any more thoughts?

#20 Post by **SandraJones** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:25 am

3-4mm ???? OMG, when I look at your pics I could see maybe 1mm "improvement". I'm with Meryaten, I wouldn't do it.

overseasmel, one thing to consider, even though if you're going to go through with it it's obviously easiest to do now, you can ALWAYS have this done later if you find that later on you are bugged by this "flaw". But honestly, your teeth look great now and I'll bet few people outside of the dental and orthodontics professions would even notice that things aren't perfect.

#21 Post by **samantha_lou** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:12 pm

I'm against extractions, see how you do keeping the teeth Mel, if they're healthy - they deserve a fighting chance to stay in the arch!!

#22 Post by **overseasmel** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:40 pm

I'm going to do it! My four number 5s are all coming out sometime over the next month.

I have been agonising over the decision for the past few weeks and getting quite stressed and upset about it. I saw a dentist last week and then a second orthodontist this week to help me decide.

The second ortho was really helpful. He thought my current ortho is doing a great job and was really impressed with my progress to date. He very much leant towards doing the extractions because:

1. My lips/chin are really straining to close and even when the braces are off that's still likely to be the case
2. It would be returning my teeth to the position vis-a-vis my head/jaw that they were in before we straightened them [so in terms of changed profile, which I was worried about, it wouldn't be such a big deal]
3. He felt my gums had a bit of pressure on them at the mo with all those teeth, and that it would probably be better for them in the long run to have the teeth out
4. He thought I'd get better bite closure and a more correct midline with the extractions
5. He didn't think that there would be any troubles in closing my extraction gaps.

He also thought that at the rate my teeth have been improving that even with the extractions I'd be done in under 12 months. So with those things all put together I've decided to go ahead and do it. Now I just have to make those appointments!

Sooooo relieved. A decision made just in time for my ten month anniversary! Yay!

#23 Post by **SandraJones** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:01 am

Hey Mel, happy to hear that you made your decision and it's all settled ! Now you don't have to burn up mental energy trying to decide what to do.

I hope it all works out exactly as planned and you are very happy with the result !

#24 Post by **JoviFan** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:54 pm

Congrats on your decision Mel !!!!!! It took me a long while to get there too, so I know what you've been going through!!!! There will be a little sigh of relief once that's over, then to start worrying about the gaps closing - atleast that's where I'll be next week after I get my upper wire back on and my lower braced

#25 Post by **iBorg** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:10 pm

While I'm normally opposed to extractions, I think the fact they you asked for other professional opinions and they agree plus the gum issue indicates that this is the right decision for you.

Best of luck on a painless experience.

Mike

Metal Mouth Message Board

UPDATED 20 SEPT Extraction decision- decision made!