Aligned teeth but overjet

[burtburgerac]

Hi All. Just wanting to canvass opinion on my dilemma! If you have read any of my other posts you may have seen i am a 30 year old based in the UK with 7mm overjet and some alignment issues. I was referred for surgery but have decided not to go down this route. My current orthdodontist has said that all will be able to do is achieve alignment of my incisors with no retraction, so the overjet will remain. I'm not sure whether to even bother with the treatment, will i be happy with just straight teeth but an overjet?? Has anyone else gone for this sort of treatment and were you happy enough with the results?

[flips712]

What is your reasoning for not wanting to go the surgical route to have your overjet fixed?

[whiteswan]

I can certainly understand not wanting to go the surgery route. The recovery for open heart surgery is apparently easier than that. I know many people are able to reduce overjet by at least half with elastics. You may not get down to no overjet but they should be able to improve it for sure. I say go elsewhere for your treatment.

[starfish88]

I got a 12mm overjet down to basically nothing with 6 months of careful elastic wear (no extraction). Obviously it depends on how much of the overjet is skeletal and how much dental but some camoflage must be possible. Have you had a 2nd opinion?

[JillD]

I guess it depends on why you want to have orthodontic treatment. I was told that I could have some improvement in my overjet without going through extractions, but my goal was getting rid of the overjet. I wouldn't be going through this ordeal if I cannot get the result I want. So I chose extractions.

[Clairebear1993]

Personally I can see why u wouldn't want surgery... I only had my wisdom teeth out and said not again if I can possibly help it... I have an overjet still and I am nearing the end of my treatment now it was 5mm to start and it is about the same after elastics (elastics were causing more issues than help)... Mine is due to skeletal issues though and is hard to fix now I have stopped growing... I am happy with my result it is amazing how much it changes even just with the teeth aligned better

[burtburgerac]

Thanks for all the replies!

Firstly the reason I have chosen not to go down the surgery route is partly because i am a massive wimp and partly because i just dont think i can justify all the risks of surgery purely for a cosmetic operation. I also have concerns about the changes in my appearance at my age.....i've had my face for a long time!! Unfortunately extractions aren't an option as i had two teeth out top and bottom for my first round of braces.

Clairebear1993 its encouraging to see that you've felt am improvement just with better alignment. My family (who have listened to my teeth woes for many years) think I would be happier even if the overjet stayed if my teeth were at least aligned. Unfortunately from what the dental hospital told me it is all skeletal (i.e. my front teeth are "straight") but i think it might be worth a 2nd opinion seeing the mentions of elastics below.

Thanks again all and i'll let you know how i'll get on