After 3 consults, I think I'll do regular braces!

[AndAndAnd]

I agree with @wendydong, it's unlikely anyone will ever notice a midline being off by a few mm. Look at Tom Cruise, no one noticed his midline for years. Like Wendy, I too didn't even know of the term until I started on this site... and lo-and-behold, mine is off by 2 or 3 mm as well. I doesn't bother me in the slightest, and unless it is causing some underlying health issues for you, I would urge you to think carefully about going ahead with surgery. If an orthodontist says they can correct your cross bite with braces, then try that route first.

[Meowmeowbeans2]

In a magical turn of events, I started a new job this month behind me sits a woman with braces. I casually ask who her ortho is and it’s the same one I planned to use! Now I have a positive personal recommendation. Also the ortho is WALKING distance from my new office

Also, this coworker is doing surgery for sleep apnea, so that also confirms for me that the ortho knows the difference between needing surgery or not.

Phew that’s some good peace of mind! I’m getting a dental cleaning next week and braces on the 18th - wish me luck!

[Meowmeowbeans2]

And they’re on! No pain yet... Mostly I feel like my lips don’t know where to lay on top of them! Bite turbos are WEIRD.

I would have told you my teeth were straight except like 3 of them, but now looking at bracket placement it sends that 8 have some serious rotating or tilting to do.

1 hour down, 16 months to go!

[wendydong]

Hi @meowmeowbeans2, you did gum graft before braces?

I have some gum recession. but seems like orthos all suggest to do orthodontics then gum graft. Do you worry that your grafted gums would come loose during the braces treatment? did the ortho ask you to do gum graft before braces or did you choose to do the gum graft yourself?

[Meowmeowbeans2]

The first ortho I consulted said I needed to see a periodontist before starting orthodontics.

The perio pointed out 2 lower premolars where I didn’t have enough attached gum and recommended grafts on those 2 before braces so that my gum would move with tooth instead of receding more.

If you notice there’s a bump of gum where the tooth and gum meet. On those 2 teeth it was straight smooth down, meaning that it was only unattached gum around it. After the grafts, the tissue is thicker there and I have bumps again!

I have a 3rd recessessed tooth, a lower incisor, that still has attached gum, so will wait to treat that until after braces.

I will have checkups with the perio every 3 months during braces to keep an eye on my gums as well.