gaps from extractions

[magopa]

I had 4 pre-molars extracted mid-May due to over-crowding and was wondering (roughly) how long it usually takes for the gaps to close. Does the ortho use anything in particular to help in this process? I'm getting tired of having holes in my mouth and find them more embarrassing than the braces themselves.

-marisa

[kilikena311]

Unfortunately the time for the gaps to close seems to very greatly from person to person. I had to have a lower incisor extracted and that was on April 8 and I still have a gap. It was almost closed at the top but still gappy at the bottom. He just repositioned the bracket on one side of it because it was causing the tooth to lean and said that the gap will probably get worse before it gets better. Up until now I had a powerchain to pull it closed. They are giving my newly bracketed tooth 3 weeks to stand up straight before I get the chain again. Just be patient and they will close in time

[PatJ]

I had four premolars extracted October 2007 and the extractions gaps were finally closed around February 2009. That sounds like a long time, but my ortho didn't actually start the closing process with elastic ties until around May/June 2008. So it's about a 9 month process, but for some it's quicker, for others slower. Before I got the braces I asked my ortho how long the gaps would take to close and he said around 9 months, and he was right. I guess he's done this kind of thing before!

[LB]

My orthodontist told me the gaps close by about a mm a month once he starts the process. However, as other people have said here, closing the gaps isn't necessarily the priority - certainly in my case my teeth are being straightened first at the front before he starts closing the gaps.

[Inova]

I have a lower incisor and 2 pre-molars out early May. The incisor gap closed super quick (ouch) due to power chain but also because there was a tooth that was wayward behind so that really only needed to move to fill half the gap if that makes sense. My 2 premolar gaps are still there. Like LB my top front teeth are being straightened first before he gets on to closing those. I'm still missing a bracket at the front so have a power chain at the top to bring tooth forward for bracketing. I have lovely gaps at the side when I smile but hey, the progress is astounding and I'm no too bothered.

[sm2teach]

I had 4 bicuspids extracted in June. I have only had one adjustment and he put powerchains on the back teeth. He wants to move my teeth back a little at a time. So now my teeth are getting worse before they get better. They are more crooked and new gaps are forming. I go next week for an adjustment after only 3 weeks. He is letting me come early because school starts for the teachers the next week. I usually have adjustments every 4 weeks. I wonder if he will do the same thing or something different. The gaps also make it harder to eat.