Bad Bite

Message

#1 Post by **Skylark** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:14 pm

Hiya,

I posted on here a while ago but haven't been on for a while because I thought my treatment was done. I'm 28 and had compromise treatment 18 months ago (fixed upper brace and then invisilign) to even out my smile. At the time, the ortho told me that I don't have a good bite. I had never noticed this or experienced any probs. He suggested I go the whole way and have the lot fixed (much larger commitment with time and money). Since I hadn't been aware it was an issue I opted for compromise treatment and minor corrections. He told me that the results would not be perfect but that my bite would not worsen.

In the last 18 months, I've worn my retainer religiously and have fixed upper and lower retainers. The front teeth I had fixed are still pretty good but my bite is opening up on my left side (it hasn't changed on the right). At one point this caused me pain due to clenching at night, but this has now eased. I have had no further pain and can still eat without probs even though none of my teeth on the left match fully and a couple now don't match at all.

The ortho doesn't seem to think it's his concern as he didn't work on those teeth. I'm just wondering if my fixed and removable retainers will keep my front teeth in place, and whether I need to have yet more treatment.

Are there any invisible options for evening up a bite - I couldn't go through fixed braces for a third time (had full fixed braces when I was younger).

I'd be happy to leave things as they are as long as it doesn't cause worse probs in the future. Do imperfect bites always cause future probs?

Thanks for any advice.

#2 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:21 pm

I don't think there is any treatment out there that can fix the bite without installing a full set of braces. The reason I was told I could not do Invisiline was b/c I had a crossbite. If you have some molars that touch and others that do not, you risk damaging your teeth due to uneven wear. Plus bad bites can also lead to TMJ. That said, I think you should go back to your original ortho for a consult. Forget about what has already been done, see what he has to say about your current situation. If you can, get a few other consults as well. This would be the only certain way to find out if you have serious issues that need immediate attention.

#3 Post by **Skylark** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 2:57 am

I don't think I could do fixed braces for a third time. Will a bad bite on one side automatically cause problems or should I be glad that it is not causing me pain or eating probs and just leave it alone. My teeth always seem to lapse and I can't go through it again only for them to lapse for a third time.

My lower molars have begun to tip in which is why they no longer meet their upper partners properly. Is there any removable appliance that could right them so they are vertical again?

Any advice appreciated. I am so sick of my teeth! Maybe I'm just anticipating probs that I don't have and should leave them alone.

#4 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:52 am

It's really hard to say if you will encounter problems in the future. You either will or won't. The fact you have no problems now is a good thing, but no indication things will remain that way. If you just cannot stand going thru braces again, then perhaps the "wait and see" approach is the one you need to take. Your dentist will let you know at your regular cleanings if s/he is seeing uneven wear. I really don't know if there is a removable appliance that will push those molars to where they need to be. Perhaps someone else can weigh in. It takes a lot of force to move molars. I'm just afraid that a removable appliance will simply tip the crowns of the tooth, but not move the roots. If there is not enough stabilization to allow the roots to catch up, then the crowns will simply move right back to where they were.

#5 Post by **Skylark** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:01 am

Thanks for your replies!

At the moment I think I'm going to take the 'wait and see' approach, although am going to talk about invisible options with my ortho.

If anyone else wants to pitch in with advice about possible alternatives to another set of fixed braces that would be great.

Thanks again.