Advice about extractions? 2nd time with braces...3 months in

[catgyrl]

The receptionist at my dentist's office (who happens to be his wife) told me yesterday that she also had 4 teeth extracted and braces as an adult, and you could never, ever tell by looking at her smile (which is BEAUTIFUL, by the way). I told her that I couldn't see how my ortho could extract just one tooth from my left side, and still line everything up properly. She just smiled that beautiful smile of hers and told me "Just trust the process, Cathy... it's amazing what these guys can do!"

My opinion is that because I've seen people with extractions end up with beautiful smiles, you should just do it and get it over with. There was someone else here on the boards who agonized over the decision, and once she decided to do it, does not regret it one bit. (Sorry, I can't remember the name offhand.)

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. You're a beautiful girl to begin with, so I don't know what they could do to make you less beautiful.

-Cathy

[Anakaren152]

Thanks everyone :]

I had an ortho appointment yesterday for my 3 adjustment. My ortho decided to give me until December to think about my extractions (when I come back from studying abroad), so I have more time. Either way I still don't want to do it, and he understands that I'm scared. He wants me to think of it like plastic surgery, the risks you have to take and hope in the end the desired result will be achieved.

I will keep in touch with my progress. :]

[diesel]

It looks like you have lip incompetence mostly because you have braces on.

[alimommy1]

I agree with Cathy - 'trust the process' lol. I know that sounds kind of trite and silly but since you have already gotten other consults and opinions and you seem to trust your ortho since you've known him the longest, he probably knows the best course. He's the ortho that treated you the first time, right?

Have you asked if enough space can be created using IPR rather than the extractions to get the result you want? If you're that concerned about losing healthy teeth and changing your profile, some space can be made with IPR, I just don't know if it would be enough. I also dont know if that would address the lip incompetence either, but I just saw someone post that perhaps a lot of that has to do with the braces. Did you have lip incompetence WITHOUT braces on too?

One more thing - don't let braces hold you back socially. People let so many things hold them back and prevent them from having fun and enjoying life. When you look back, that's a regret you won't want to have. I have two grown kids so the mom in me feels I have to say that.

[Osnapitsnikki]

Hey if ur still active can u message me asap cause this is literally my exact situation. LITERALLY everything u said and i wanna see pictures! Thanks

[BracesColombo]

Hi I would like to see your progress if possible because I have thick lips, with lip incompetence and Dental protrusion and about to get braces for the second time with four teeth extracted.

[BracesColombo]

Hi I would like to see your progress if possible because I have thick lips, with lip incompetence and Dental protrusion and about to get braces for the second time with four teeth extracted.