Should I have teeth extracted or implanted?
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Implant
Hi ivette.To respond to whether it looks good rite now.The answer would be no.Theres a space being creatd wher the missing bicuspid is.Its being creatd by a spring and powerchain. Im in month 5 of an aproximat 20mnth treatment. My teeth arnt gona look perfct during treatment with a mising tooth,but thats the price iv got to pay for having it removed.But on the brite side ,i wil hav a beautiful,complete,full set of teeth aftr my implant is done.The long run efect is wats keepn me going.Jus being positiv in the meantime.And remembr,u dont want a sunk in face.Thats wat hapnz with extractions.B 100percnt sure with ur choice.Do ur research.Hope iv helpd. . .
PrincessT, thanks for the response! So it's month 5 of your treatment and you already have the gaps created? Isn't this great! Of course it doesn't look good now because you have those gaps but you should be looking at it from the perspective of the finished stage when you have those gaps filled with the implants.
Did your ortho tell you how long it will take to complete the gap opening? Do you need to wait to take off the braces before you do the implants?
Did your ortho tell you how long it will take to complete the gap opening? Do you need to wait to take off the braces before you do the implants?
Implant
Ivette, my space is not cmpletely formd yet.U can say theres half a space at the moment.N no my ortho dint tel me hw long the space would take.Also implants can only be done aftr braces are removed.Remembr braces dont work magic overnite,they take time,bt itl b worth it in the end.Gudluck. .
Decision Made
As promised, here is my update from today's visit at the ortho! First he informed me that the implant specialist called him and they discussed my case in details. The other dentist was very excited and confident that the best solution in my case is opening up some space for the implants. However, my ortho was looking from the perspective of the person responsible for opening the space. He mentioned that from health perspective he wouldn’t make a statement that it would be better for my health to go with the implants. He absolutely doesn’t believe that by extracting teeth at the bottom I’ll increase my chances of sleep apnea and any other long term health issues. Especially in my case, where I’m pretty healthy, not overweight, and no complaints currently. So from that perspective, he wouldn’t have any concerns to go with the extractions.
From aesthetics perspective, he said that it may or may not look better. It really depends how I’ll react to potential expansion and how my gums would take it. We also have to be careful with the expansion so the teeth don’t stick too much out.
Although he wasn’t definite that the best thing (aesthetically) in my case is to go with the implants and fitting all teeth there, it may be worth trying. He definitely wouldn’t go with the extreme case of recommending a surgery for expansion in my case because he didn’t think my case is severe enough for such a procedure. So he suggested that we go ahead and try some expansion for 4-6 months with expanders placed both on my upper and lower jaw and see how I react. If I react well, we’ll proceed with the braces. If not, we’ll go back to the original plan with the extractions at the bottom and closing the gaps. It seems like the only thing I’m risking is losing 6 months and being much more committed to this treatment. I think it’s worth trying and achieving that broad smile I’ve always wanted. The ortho only wasn’t sure whether I may need extraction of one of the incisors at the bottom to free some room for the crowded teeth. Again, it would depend on how I react to the expanders. He said the chances are 50:50...
So I made my decision in the hope that I get the favorable 50%! We took imprints for the expanders and I’ll be getting them on March 31st. Getting excited although I’ll have to wait few more months for the braces. What really made me feel good was the attitude of my ortho. He spent a fair amount of time answering my questions, wasn’t pushy at all and seemed sincerely concerned about me making the best decision. At the end he also assured me that he won’t let me make a silly decision and he’ll “watch outâ€
From aesthetics perspective, he said that it may or may not look better. It really depends how I’ll react to potential expansion and how my gums would take it. We also have to be careful with the expansion so the teeth don’t stick too much out.
Although he wasn’t definite that the best thing (aesthetically) in my case is to go with the implants and fitting all teeth there, it may be worth trying. He definitely wouldn’t go with the extreme case of recommending a surgery for expansion in my case because he didn’t think my case is severe enough for such a procedure. So he suggested that we go ahead and try some expansion for 4-6 months with expanders placed both on my upper and lower jaw and see how I react. If I react well, we’ll proceed with the braces. If not, we’ll go back to the original plan with the extractions at the bottom and closing the gaps. It seems like the only thing I’m risking is losing 6 months and being much more committed to this treatment. I think it’s worth trying and achieving that broad smile I’ve always wanted. The ortho only wasn’t sure whether I may need extraction of one of the incisors at the bottom to free some room for the crowded teeth. Again, it would depend on how I react to the expanders. He said the chances are 50:50...
So I made my decision in the hope that I get the favorable 50%! We took imprints for the expanders and I’ll be getting them on March 31st. Getting excited although I’ll have to wait few more months for the braces. What really made me feel good was the attitude of my ortho. He spent a fair amount of time answering my questions, wasn’t pushy at all and seemed sincerely concerned about me making the best decision. At the end he also assured me that he won’t let me make a silly decision and he’ll “watch outâ€
It sounds like your discussion went as well as it possibly could. 
I'm happy you have been able to communicate so well and address all your issues and concerns. I think yours is an "interesting case" and I'll be following your story. Now you must be patient with your treatment and hope for good expansion. 
I'm happy you have been able to communicate so well and address all your issues and concerns. I think yours is an "interesting case" and I'll be following your story. Now you must be patient with your treatment and hope for good expansion. 
Braced for 2 years, 11 months, 2 weeks and 5 days (the 2nd time ‘round)
Hawley on top, Essix on bottom
starzz, thanks for following my story. You're so right that I need to be very patient now. Also I shouldn't freak out during the gap opening and should use some imagination to accept that eventually those gaps will be filled with implants. I'll probably start a new page with my story once I have the expanders put in or I may wait few months to have some progress and then I'll post few pictures (hope the pictures will show good expanding!).
I don't know whether my case is "interesting" but I did ask my ortho whether he has done any cases like this. Unfortunately he said that he has seen very few cases where he had to create almost the whole gap - he has done several cases where a tooth was missing and the patient wanted an implant there but not exactly like mine. Having said that, with the advancement of the implant technologies, I guess more people will be choosing to keep their teeth as much as possible and compensate with implants, if needed. He didn't seem to be worried about the implants per se - they should look pretty natural and last me a long time. But these are questions for the implant specialist that I'll choose.
princessT, thanks for your response too! I got the impression that your gaps have been already created. Be patient and you should get there! I'm a little jealous you're already 5 month ahead of me
Hope I can show you pictures with gaps soon!
I don't know whether my case is "interesting" but I did ask my ortho whether he has done any cases like this. Unfortunately he said that he has seen very few cases where he had to create almost the whole gap - he has done several cases where a tooth was missing and the patient wanted an implant there but not exactly like mine. Having said that, with the advancement of the implant technologies, I guess more people will be choosing to keep their teeth as much as possible and compensate with implants, if needed. He didn't seem to be worried about the implants per se - they should look pretty natural and last me a long time. But these are questions for the implant specialist that I'll choose.
princessT, thanks for your response too! I got the impression that your gaps have been already created. Be patient and you should get there! I'm a little jealous you're already 5 month ahead of me
Hope I can show you pictures with gaps soon!
Yes, so far I'm happy with our communication. Hope I keep the good impression when we start the actual treatment and most importantly - at the end, when I see the results!
Forgot to mention that the expanders that I'm going to get will be removable (like retainers). I'll be able to take them off for cleaning and eating. As I'm already totally addicted to this website, I checked few stories with people with expanders but I saw very contradictory opinions. Some people appreciated the end result, others didn't. I'm not sure about the pain...Also it seems most people have a speech problem with the expanders (it may be when they are all metal and fixed). I asked my ortho today and he said that I should be able to adapt quickly (for about a week). Is it true? English is a second language for me and I have an accent anyway so I was joking that once I get the expanders, I may learn to speak properly!
Forgot to mention that the expanders that I'm going to get will be removable (like retainers). I'll be able to take them off for cleaning and eating. As I'm already totally addicted to this website, I checked few stories with people with expanders but I saw very contradictory opinions. Some people appreciated the end result, others didn't. I'm not sure about the pain...Also it seems most people have a speech problem with the expanders (it may be when they are all metal and fixed). I asked my ortho today and he said that I should be able to adapt quickly (for about a week). Is it true? English is a second language for me and I have an accent anyway so I was joking that once I get the expanders, I may learn to speak properly!
No support from my family
I just spoke with my mom on the phone and mentioned to her about my decision to go with the implants. Just to give you a little background, my mom doesn't accept the idea of me getting braces to begin with! It was so depressing talking to her. She didn't want to hear about implants. She thinks it won't look like me, I'll do something bad to myself and other things like this. I got so upset and told her that I've decided already and I'm doing it. I begged her for some support and she said that's why she's trying to talk me out of it now so i don't regret about it tomorrow. Can you believe it?!
Anyway, once I got off the phone, I started having doubts again...don't know what to do! The implants will be a much longer route, more expensive and not sure about the end result. But I may get exactly what I wanted. With the extractions...I know it will look better than now but I know that it definitely won't be completely what I want. But how big would be the difference? So I'm really torn in my decision again and again. I keep going back and forth in one case or another. My days turned into a nightmare. I need some help and lots of support. And I'm not getting it from my family. It hurts so much when my closest people think I'm making a mistake.
Anyway, once I got off the phone, I started having doubts again...don't know what to do! The implants will be a much longer route, more expensive and not sure about the end result. But I may get exactly what I wanted. With the extractions...I know it will look better than now but I know that it definitely won't be completely what I want. But how big would be the difference? So I'm really torn in my decision again and again. I keep going back and forth in one case or another. My days turned into a nightmare. I need some help and lots of support. And I'm not getting it from my family. It hurts so much when my closest people think I'm making a mistake.
You need to do what you want to do....its your mouth...if you want the implants then go for it. If you dont, then dont....search deep down inside and go for what is that you want. Its your mouth....If your ortho is up for it (and you trust him/her) and says it will be a good thing then, go for it.
My opinion of course!
SD
My opinion of course!
SD
Thanks for the encouragement, sdawdy! It means so much to me right now. I just looked to see what was your story and came across the comment of your husband at the beginning of your journey saying that he liked your overbite!? How does he think now? Is he still thinking you're out of your mind?
I know that at the end of the day, I'm doing this for myself and this is all that matters. The problem is that right now I'm so hesitant and even a slight doubt from my family makes me think, "What if they are right and I'm wrong?". Hope one day I'll prove them wrong and enjoy my healthy beautiful smile...
I know that at the end of the day, I'm doing this for myself and this is all that matters. The problem is that right now I'm so hesitant and even a slight doubt from my family makes me think, "What if they are right and I'm wrong?". Hope one day I'll prove them wrong and enjoy my healthy beautiful smile...
He thinks I am crazy. He had braces as a kid (11-13) and hated every bit of it. He is truly upset about me losing my overbite, but when it was explained to him all the problems with my mouth, he has begun to accept it.
I do understand the feeling of what if they were right...I didnt even tell my parents that I had braces until I was braced top and bottom for about a year, because I didnt want to hear this from them. (I live 800 miles away, so not like I see them on a daily basis). They have always said that my gaps show character....oh yeah...i hate them...they were not to fond of me spending money on fixing them, then i mentioned well mom had braces to fix her smile didnt she....so that ended that conversation.
I do understand the feeling of what if they were right...I didnt even tell my parents that I had braces until I was braced top and bottom for about a year, because I didnt want to hear this from them. (I live 800 miles away, so not like I see them on a daily basis). They have always said that my gaps show character....oh yeah...i hate them...they were not to fond of me spending money on fixing them, then i mentioned well mom had braces to fix her smile didnt she....so that ended that conversation.
Hehe, sdawdy, you give me an idea...
as I live about 6,000 miles away from my family, I can just skip my next two annual trips back home and show up in 2.5 years with a new smile and no doubts! The only reason I told my mom was because I wanted some support from her. Also I didn't want to shock her in the summer (when I was planning on going home) and showing up with a braced face. I'm surprised your family didn't notice it in your voice for a year...didn't you have some speech problems at the beginning?
as I live about 6,000 miles away from my family, I can just skip my next two annual trips back home and show up in 2.5 years with a new smile and no doubts! The only reason I told my mom was because I wanted some support from her. Also I didn't want to shock her in the summer (when I was planning on going home) and showing up with a braced face. I'm surprised your family didn't notice it in your voice for a year...didn't you have some speech problems at the beginning?Oh my goodness....i am laughing uncontrollably...the only reason i told my mom was because i sent her a picture of me and i was smiling and you could see my metal mouth....I was not going to tell them at all and just show up for a visit when it was done and say "hey do you notice anything?" and see how long it took for them to realize that the gappy smile was gone....but
I really didn't have much problem speaking at first (unless really tired or mad, and that is also when my southern accent come out!!!)....the biggest thing was drinking from a straw...i have a cup at work with a lid and straw...and got water everywhere, when i tried to drink the first time....(i forgot about this story)....there was one time when mom said are you eating something....i just said yes because i didn't want to go thru the hassle of telling her at that time....didn't want to hear the you don't have money to do this....you should wait until later when you are more settled down...blah, blah, blah....don't get me wrong, i love my mom...but i didn't want to hear it from her!
I understand the wanting support. We do tell mom/dad things hoping for the support and it is not always there.... and that stinks...maybe the shock would have been for the better!
I really didn't have much problem speaking at first (unless really tired or mad, and that is also when my southern accent come out!!!)....the biggest thing was drinking from a straw...i have a cup at work with a lid and straw...and got water everywhere, when i tried to drink the first time....(i forgot about this story)....there was one time when mom said are you eating something....i just said yes because i didn't want to go thru the hassle of telling her at that time....didn't want to hear the you don't have money to do this....you should wait until later when you are more settled down...blah, blah, blah....don't get me wrong, i love my mom...but i didn't want to hear it from her!
I understand the wanting support. We do tell mom/dad things hoping for the support and it is not always there.... and that stinks...maybe the shock would have been for the better!
Ivette - Congrats on making your decision! It's great that you have the months before braces to change your mind just incase!
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My story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=17192
My story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=17192