open bite progress after 7 months

[braceystacey]

Looking great!!

[Anna5]

Thank you!

[Anna5]

Hello,

I am a bit sad, because my ortho thinks there is nothing he can do anymore to fix my midline. And he doesn't see the cant in my smile. I will get some composite and shaving to make my teeth look a bit better after the braces. My ortho thinks I am nearly done, whereas I feel I am not ready yet.
I went to another ortho for a second opinion and he told me the same. He agreed with my own ortho.
Both don't recommend surgery.

I am sorry because I am surely the most stubborn and insecure member of Archwired, but what do you think of my teeth? What would you do if you were me? Settling for this result or asking for more opinions with ortho's or jaw surgeons?
I so much wish I could just let it go, be happy with myself and continue with my life without having these self esteem issues....

[parapian]

Wow, Anna, I'm actually ready to fly over and have a serious talk with your orthodontist!

Have you asked him why he can't fix your midline? What exactly has he tried and for how long? As far as I know, you should be able to fix a midline with elastics alone.

If you want my honest opinion about your teeth, I think they look fantastic! I really do. And no matter how your teeth look, you should still find it in you to be a strong, confident, awesome person. Focus on the positive feedback (verbal and non-verbal) you get from people around you and I'm sure you'll see that you're not a bit as unattractive as you think you are. In fact, you may even find yourself to be surprisingly very attractive.

I'm just disappointed in your orthodontist for refusing to fix something so relatively simple when it's his job to do so. And you're paying him to do so! On the other hand, I don't know if I would want to stick with an orthodontist who's not as passionate about my teeth as I am. Maybe get a third opinion? And walk in with attitude this time.

[Bikerchick85]

Anna I'm sorry you're so sad! I wish I could hug you!!
I think your teeth and smile are beautiful now!
It's hard when you get so close to being done, you start nit-picking and trying to decide if you can live with certain things being "off". I understand! You know I'm doing the same thing right now!
Has your ortho even tried midline elastics?
You know we both have a cant.. that must be a thumbsucking thing whoops! I really think our cants will be less noticeable once our teeth are leveled after the braces come off. I definitely plan on having my ortho do that because I have some edges that need smoothed out.
I'm sorry you're having such a hard time making a decision on surgery. I guess if it were me, and I had the funds, I would do it to ensure my results were lasting. However, if money were an obstacle or I was just really scared about committing to surgery, I would definitely be happy with your results!
sending lots of hugs your way!

[Anna5]

Thank you for your very loving and encouraging messages, dearest Bickerchick and Parapian. That was just what I needed.
My ortho has tried midline elastics, I have faithfully worn them 24 hours a day for 3 months and now I am still wearing them (only at night). But my ortho says he cannot make it much better anymore, because it is the shape of my jaw. I am not sure whether I should believe him. But I think there is really not much he can do anymore, otherwise the other ortho (who has over 20 years experience in treating adults) would have said something I think? My ortho says I had better accept this, because it is not that bad and nobody is completely symmetrical.
I am not sure whether I can still get surgery, because the surgeon I consulted doesn't recommend it either (only possibly a genio for my lip incompetence if that is still a problem after my braces are off). And maybe for surgery my teeth should first be aligned very differently?
I have planned a consult with the jaw surgeon again in a months to address all these issues and ask whether there is really nothing he can do.I am afraid I cannot just have surgery to ensure my results are lasting, because open bites are known for relapse, even if fixed with surgery. I am still not sure whether I want to commit to surgery, it sounds scary, it is expensive and my husband is totally against it, but I will do it if that is necessary to make me happy and not self conscious about my teeth anymore!

I also want to hug you both and thank you for your loving support! My thoughts and support are also with you!

[Bikerchick85]

Thank you for your very loving and encouraging messages, dearest Bickerchick and Parapian. That was just what I needed.
My ortho has tried midline elastics, I have faithfully worn them 24 hours a day for 3 months and now I am still wearing them (only at night). But my ortho says he cannot make it much better anymore, because it is the shape of my jaw. I am not sure whether I should believe him. But I think there is really not much he can do anymore, otherwise the other ortho (who has over 20 years experience in treating adults) would have said something I think? My ortho says I had better accept this, because it is not that bad and nobody is completely symmetrical.
I am not sure whether I can still get surgery, because the surgeon I consulted doesn't recommend it either (only possibly a genio for my lip incompetence if that is still a problem after my braces are off). And maybe for surgery my teeth should first be aligned very differently?
I have planned a consult with the jaw surgeon again in a months to address all these issues and ask whether there is really nothing he can do.I am afraid I cannot just have surgery to ensure my results are lasting, because open bites are known for relapse, even if fixed with surgery. I am still not sure whether I want to commit to surgery, it sounds scary, it is expensive and my husband is totally against it, but I will do it if that is necessary to make me happy and not self conscious about my teeth anymore!

I also want to hug you both and thank you for your loving support! My thoughts and support are also with you!

I'd say if you tried the midline elastics for 3 months and it didn't work, that it can't be fixed. I agree that the other ortho who specializes in adult treatment would've mentioned a fix if there was one. I never notice off midlines unless they are pointed out. Not a big deal to me at all!
Any kind of jaw surgery scares me... it sounds so barbaric that I don't think I could do it if I needed it. It can't hurt to consult with a surgeon on your options though. At least you would get some peace of mind. I don't think you have ANY reason to be self conscious of your teeth! They are beautiful! I can't believe your bite closed that fast!! It's amazing! You know mine is still open in the canine/premolar area and I didn't have that problem before braces. At least we have gorgeous smiles now

[Angel21]

Hi Anna,

I think your teeth look fantastic and will be so much better when the braces are off! That's a shame your orthodontist can't fix your midline. But at least you know you tried to do everything possible for your teeth. In my opinion surgery is too extreme for your case, but if it's something that really bothers you, you can look into that more.

You don't want to have gone through all this and not be happy, but at the same time we have to accept we can't always get perfection.

[samoorelaw]

I think your teeth look significantly better than mine and I HAD jaw surgery, crown lengthening, will need gum recountouring in a few weeks, and 8 crowns! I think they look great! Of course, we are all our own worst critic.

[Bikerchick85]

I agree with samoorelaw.. We are our own worst critics! I pick everything about my teeth to death.

Anna, I took this pic today.. I wanted you to see my cant. I swear I don't notice this in person, but I really see it in pics.. Strange!! LoL! Thought it would make you feel better though

[parapian]

Thank you for your very loving and encouraging messages, dearest Bickerchick and Parapian. That was just what I needed.
My ortho has tried midline elastics, I have faithfully worn them 24 hours a day for 3 months and now I am still wearing them (only at night). But my ortho says he cannot make it much better anymore, because it is the shape of my jaw. I am not sure whether I should believe him. But I think there is really not much he can do anymore, otherwise the other ortho (who has over 20 years experience in treating adults) would have said something I think? My ortho says I had better accept this, because it is not that bad and nobody is completely symmetrical.
I am not sure whether I can still get surgery, because the surgeon I consulted doesn't recommend it either (only possibly a genio for my lip incompetence if that is still a problem after my braces are off). And maybe for surgery my teeth should first be aligned very differently?
I have planned a consult with the jaw surgeon again in a months to address all these issues and ask whether there is really nothing he can do.I am afraid I cannot just have surgery to ensure my results are lasting, because open bites are known for relapse, even if fixed with surgery. I am still not sure whether I want to commit to surgery, it sounds scary, it is expensive and my husband is totally against it, but I will do it if that is necessary to make me happy and not self conscious about my teeth anymore!

I also want to hug you both and thank you for your loving support! My thoughts and support are also with you!

I honestly don't think you have any reason to feel self-conscious about your teeth. I agree with everyone else here that your midline is probably only noticeable to yourself and very few others--and those very few others most probably don't mind it at all. And if there is someone who does, it says more about them than you!

I wouldn't recommend surgery either, unless absolutely necessary. And if you feel you've exhausted all your orthodontic options to fix your midline, then leave it at that. At least your bite is closed and your teeth are straight. And your midline isn't even that off.

I honestly hope you can find confidence in yourself, because there's really no reason for you to feel insecure about anything!

[Anna5]

Thank you very much for your kind and loving messages, Bickerchick, Parapian, Samoorelaw, Angel21.
If you all think my teeth look good, then it can't be that bad? I am definitely my own worst critic and enemy....

You are right, Angel21, that we cannot always get perfection.....
Samoorelaw, I saw your pictures and I think your teeth look great! Surely we are our own worst critics!
Bikerchick85, I love your teeth! I can hardly notice your cant and I am sure it will be unnoticable after levelling your teeth.
Parapian: I loved what you said in another post "And no matter how your teeth look, you should still find it in you to be a strong, confident, awesome person. Focus on the positive feedback (verbal and non-verbal) you get from people around you and I'm sure you'll see that you're not a bit as unattractive as you think you are. In fact, you may even find yourself to be surprisingly very attractive" and in your last post " I honestly hope you can find confidence in yourself, because there's really no reason for you to feel insecure about anything!" That are such wise words, even if my teeth were a great mess, I should still find it in me to be a happy, confident person, because there is so much more about me than just my teeth!

[Anna5]

Here is the latest picture of my smile (one of the best pictures):

I went to my ortho yesterday and he was ok with my teeth. He did some tweaking of my lower teeth, but that's it.
He is satisfied and thinks the maximum that could be reached has been reached now.
I am still very confused whether I should be happy and leave it as it is, or whether I should ask for more second opinions to get these things fixed that still bother me. Ortho said jaw surgery is too extreme for me, he doesn't recommend it and thinks it will be hard for me to find a surgeon willing to operate my jaw. Surgery also scares me. I just wish I could accept my imperfect me and not perfect teeth.....
What would you do if you were me?

[UnevenJAG]

Hey there Anna5,

Sorry to hear of you troubles regarding your midline. Personally I would at least get a consult with an oral surgeon just to see what they say. If they agree with the ortho at least you have tried all avenues.

If it turns out you do need surgery then that's something you can contemplate. Seems scary even thinking about such a big surgery I know that. Definitely if you are unhappy with your teeth and it will bug you constantly just go for a consult and go from there.

Good luck and keep us posted

[Anna5]

Thank you, UnevenJAG.
I think it is a good idea to go to a surgeon. I have already been to a surgeon, and he said I don't need jaw surgery/ that jaw surgery is too extreme for my case. But I may go for a second opinion and see what they say.
I don't want to be unhappy with my teeth for the rest of my life.
But maybe I am obesssing too much on every imperfection? What do you think of my teeth? Would you go through surgery if you had my teeth?

I wish you very good luck with your treatment, UnevenJAG. You still have a long road ahead of you, but I am sure it will be all worth it in the end!