Aesthetics when upper first premolars are extracted?!

[Jessy]

Hi there, I haven't started treatment yet, because I have been told that I need extractions and want to think it over before I jump right in!

I am 22 and going into my final semester of uni in a month, which involves many presentations. My orthodontist wants to extract my first premolars on the top. As well, on my left side, my baby canine tooth never fell out, therefore this would have to be extracted as well, leaving two gaps on one side, so my canine can come down!

I suppose I am nervous about the extractions from the aesthetic point of view. Can anyone share their experiences with the removal of their first premolars and how obvious the gaps were?
I was also wondering if any of you know whether it would be better to get metal or ceramic, as I would think ceramic would make the holes look bigger?

I'm trying to get the confidence to finally get treatment but i'm so hesitant! :)

Thanks everyone!

[sea54change]

Hi Jessy-

I can only tell you about my experience. I work full time and give a lot of oral presentations. I have braces on upper and lower. I still stumble over words when I talk, as my tounge gets caught in the braces or my mouth is adjusting to the new space of the teeth. I have to back up and repeat parts of sentances so people will understand what I'm saying. I've had my braces on for 9 months.

I also had a lot of discomfort for the first 3 months adjusting to the braces. The ortho adjustments every 2-3 weeks brought new pain for the first 3-4 days after the adjustment. I think I own stock in the little colored boxes of wax that saved my sanity and the inside of my mouth.

I wonder how others have fared with braces and public speaking.

[TinkB]

I am not too long into my treatment but I did have all four of my first premolars extracted top & bottom. The first week I noticed a little change in my speech, kind of like extra air was escaping out when I talked. This also could have been the combination on braces and missing teeth. Not very many people noticed that I had teeth removed. Maybe all of the metal in my mouth hid it.

I would suggest getting another consult or 2 with different ortho's.

My ortho gave me the option to keep all my teeth and gave the option to remove all 4. It was hard to hear because it is scary getting 4 healthy teeth removed. My wisdom teeth felt easier and they were impacted and sideways. Maybe its because I never saw them before, like I could see my premolars.

After thinking and researching I went with the extractions. I actually could see why removing the teeth would make a better solution to my moderate crowding and mild over jet.

Good luck with your decision!

[Foxsong]

Well, I had my right lateral extracted to make room for the canine to come down, which left kind of... oh heck, it left an enormous open gaping cavern of space. And I'm a musician with a lot of gigs booked, so I had to start going right back up onstage a week later and opening my mouth to sing. If anybody in the first six rows or so didn't notice it, then they probably need new glasses.

I was concerned that my enunciation would suffer, but aside from a slight sibilance, it hasn't been an issue. And every single person who has come to see my band and seen my braces has been wonderfully supportive. People are very enthused to see someone doing something to improve him/herself. Don't let your worries stop you from helping yourself!

[Hopefulsmile84]

I'm 27 and just got 4 bicuspids pulled about a week ago and will be getting upper braces in a few weeks. It's scary and I was a wreck the entire time leading up to it but once it's done and starting to heal it does get better. As far as looks go I was worried about that too and in my case I had a baby tooth canine that was hanging on(the adult tooth came in behind it in the roof of my mouth) and that's the only hole(they took that and the tooth next to it) that bothers me but honestly unless I tell someone they are missing I doubt they would see them which is why those are usually the teeth they have pulled(lots of other reasons but it's one of the reasons).

Best advice I can give is look in the mirror, smile and try to find the teeth you know they are going to pull and try to imagine them gone if you can't see them when you smile I wouldn't worry about how it looks. The braces themselves I'm more worried about when it comes to looks personally I'm hope the ceramic ones look ok. Though I rarely smile with teeth showing because my teeth have been pretty bad for years.

I'm brand new here so pardon my terrible use of terms.

[diegorgeous]

Why don't you guys ask your orthos for pontics. I got all 4 first premolars pulled out about 3 weeks ago, and i got pontics (fake teeth) glued on the teeth on the back and they will be shaved slightly as my gap closes. People don't notice i had them pulled. They look quite good. The first week when i had the gaps was horrible!! the gaps are humongous . I don't think i'd be able to deal with it, i'm much too vain hehehe .Because they are prone to being broken, all i have to do is avoid chewing on them. So far so good!!

[karina]

I'm 23 and only just got braces put on. In 2 weeks I'm going to have my wisdom teeth + 3 of my teeth extracted in a single hospital treatment. I was worried that it would be noticeable but I looked at the way I talk and smile and I feel no one would be able to notice. I guess we are more self conscious than others. We look closely at our teeth and our skins pores. But remember people don't stand over us with a magnify glass and most people have bad eyesight that they wouldn't even recognise.

[200books]

I know how you feel. I went to an ortho about five years ago and he wanted to remove four of my front teeth (incisors). I was so upset that I didn't do anything. Last month, I decided to go to the ortho my dentist recommended. At first, he thought I would need four teeth removed, but would remove teeth towards the back. He said he didn't like to remove teeth in adults unless it was absolutely necessary. Well, I now have braces and didn't need any extractions. If he said I would need them removed, I would have done it. I want the best results possible. Try another ortho to what he/she says. Just remember, the spaces won't be there forever and probably won't be as noticeably when you have your braces. Good luck!

[Lynette]

If you have a wide mouth/smile, you will be able to notice the extractions more than if you have a smaller mouth.

I have a small mouth and when I got my extractions it wasn't noticeable at all!