This may be a stupid question...

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#1 Post by **Jay04** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 7:48 pm

Ok, this is probably a really stupid question and I'm probably an idiot for having to ask this.

I have powerchains on to close some extraction gaps at the top. I assume it's going to pull the teeth forward from the back to fill in the gaps. The very back teeth in my mouth do not have brackets on. I didn't expect them to. I've seen pics of other peoples teeth and they don't have them either.

My question is this. When my treatment is finished, will I be left with a gap between the 2nd to last teeth at the back which are in the brackets, and the ones right at the very back without the brackets on. I don't mind as it's obviously so far back I doubt you'd see it, I was just curious.

If anyone could clue me in on what exactly happens, and which direction my teeth are gonna take a stroll in next, the help would be greatly appreciated!

Check out the 2nd page of my braces story if you need to see what I'm talking about, as I have some pics of my top teeth on there.

#2 Post by **sadpanda** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:21 pm

Hi -

Although I can't be completely sure what will happen, right now, my very back teeth don't have brackets on them. My ortho says that halfway through treatment, he'll add brackets to those teeth. So, if your ortho does the same, you shouldn't end up with any funny gaps. Also - it's not a stupid question. I asked the same one a couple of months ago when I got my braces on.

#3 Post by **VA5** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:29 pm

I had brackets put on my very back teeth, a number of months into my treatment. B/c you're right.. you'd have a gap in front of the last tooth if your ortho doesn't do that. But, it's also possible he'll try different things for you.. tads can eliminate the need to put a bracket on the back, as well as headgear (who wears headgear anymore?).

#4 Post by **BraceFace2o1o** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 2:57 am

VA5 wrote:tads can eliminate the need to put a bracket on the back, as well as headgear (who wears headgear anymore?).

But I was told headgear (if used) is used to move the teeth backwards, not forwards?

My Ortho mentioned headgear at the first part of the consult, he didn't at the 2nd though... so maybe I have gotten away with it!

But he specified if used it will be to move teeth backwards into my mout, not forwards.

#5 Post by **PiscesFish1969** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 5:26 pm

I have power chains right now, with no brackets on my last molars on top. The powerchain isn't pulling the teeth from back to front to close gaps. The last molars are still right next to the second molars like they were before. Instead, I believe the powerchain is really pulling everything back towards those last molars, which is interesting since they aren't connected. Hey, it's working, that's all I know.

#6 Post by **itsabouttime22** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:39 pm

I'm in the same boat as the last poster-no brackets on the bottom back molars. I have powerchains to move my teeth BACk not forward. My ortho said she does not want my back two molars moving forward at all- so I'm assuming I'll never need brackets on the back molars.

It all depends on what direction your ortho is trying to move your teeth- forwards or backwards.

#7 Post by **bracedup** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 4:26 pm

This is a great question as i'm in the same boat. Powerchains are moving my teeth backwards. Extraction gaps are starting to close. Hopefully overjet will subside in time as well. Everyones treatment is different as all our mouths and teeth are different. I leave it all up to my ortho he is the professional. Happy so far

#8 Post by **evilnel** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:39 pm

They took my molar bands (only on lower teeth) off at my last appointment, in anticipation of my removal date at the end of November. They said they wanted to give the gaps time to settle in and close, and so far that is exactly what they've done. There's still a bit of a 'loose' feeling between two teeth that both had molar bands, but they pretty much just drifted forward and closed the space on their own. I imagine that with a retainer, that will happen even faster.

#9 Post by **VA5** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:29 am

Chrystal wrote:
VA5 wrote:tads can eliminate the need to put a bracket on the back, as well as headgear (who wears headgear anymore?).
But I was told headgear (if used) is used to move the teeth backwards, not forwards?

My Ortho mentioned headgear at the first part of the consult, he didn't at the 2nd though... so maybe I have gotten away with it! But he specified if used it will be to move teeth backwards into my mout, not forwards.

Maybe I misunderstood the original post.. but yeah, the headgear would be to push the teeth back.. and would eliminate the need to wear a bracket on the last tooth. The only problem is, the last tooth might not be in line w/the rest of the teeth w/just a wire going back to it (if there is one at all). My teeth were all eventually bracketed in the back, and I could see why it was necessary... otherwise my back teeth wouldn't be lined up with the rest of my arch, from every angle.

But in terms of closing that gap w/o having an elastic or powerchain to the last tooth, the only way I can see is by having headgear pull back some teeth, or by having tads as anchorage to pull the teeth back.