Upper 1st Bicuspid Extractions....

[MBriar]

Anyone out there with only upper bicuspid extractions that are well into treatment or finished with treatment I have a question for you....Did you notice any changes to your profile or upper lip fullness?

I had to have two uppers removed and now I'm starting to freak out wondering how this is going to affect my face (I know, too little to late, right?) I don't know why I didn't think of this prior to the extractions but I didn't so now I've got two holes that need closed up and I'm wondering what is going to lie ahead.

In case it matters or if anyone is wondering here is my diagnosis:
Class II Division II Malocclusion
Class II Skeletal Relationship
70% overbite/2mm overjet
Moderate maxillary/slight to moderate mandibular crowding
Vertical maxillary excess
Interlabial gap 4 mm
(If you want to see pics click the link in my sig line to go to my blog)
This is all straight off my orthodontist consult letter to my dentist that referred me to the orthodontist.

I see my orthodontist in three weeks and plan on asking him at that time what he thinks but I was hoping to get "real life" experiences from people here. Thanks!

[ArchWired28]

Hi MBriar!
There have been a lot of questions about this topic, you may want to consider doing a search. Since you are an adult and the growth of your jaws is complete, the only thing they can do now non-surgically is camouflage your skeletal class II relationship dentally. This could be only done by removing teeth from the upper arch so that is appears smaller and more compatible with the lower arch. This will also allow to arrange your teeth into the class I relationship (dentally, but not skeletally). Dental class I may allow to position your lower jaw a little more forward compared to the upper jaw, thus giving your face a more balanced look. Whether teeth removal will influence the shape of your upper lip? Probably yes, but I would assume that the change will be minimal. And keep in mind, that because your lower jaw will be moved forward a little, this may not be visible or noticeable to others. And finally, since they will probably move your frontal incisors forward too, this will probably add to the fullness and not diminish it.
So my point is: don't worry. This procedure has been done billion times already and if it was that bad cosmetically, it would have been abandoned by now. Just give it time for the gaps to close and try to not concentrate on your upper lip specifically, rather try to focus on the overall esthetics of your face and teeth. Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

[MBriar]

Thanks for your response Arch Wired28!
It seems like ever since I got my braces on I find something new to freak out about every week! haha I have to keep telling myself that this will ALL be worth it in the end....I just really wish there was some way to speed up time