Beginning treatment to improve open bite.

[ajs604]

Sorry picture didnt come up before here goes again

[ajs604]

Hi everyone,

I meant to do an update 2 weeks ago as had my first adjustment done on the 2/7/13. So far all good. The orthdontist reports that there has been a 2-3mm reduction in the anterior open bite and if you look back over previous photos I am sure that you can see positive changes. My front teeth also seem to be straigtening out too. I have noticed more changes on the right side than the left. The left side the gap seems much greater. They did not mention anything about elastic yet but go back in August so maybe then, who knows? I am still in very early stages of treatment so have a long wey to go yet but am pleased with the changes even though they are subtle.

I do not have the internet at home yet so am having to post my pictures up via my iphone and then use the computer at work to update my profile so apologies if photos are not too clear.

[Anna5]

Hello Asj604,

Thanks for your update!
That is great that their is already a reduction in your open bite of 3-4 mm, I think that is quite a lot!!! It may indeed be a bit too early in treatment to get elastics, I may get them next week and I will be in treatment for 4 months then.
I wish you very good luck with your treatment!

Greetings from Anna

[ajs604]

Hi Anna thanks for your kind words. Can you notice a difference and do you think my teeth look quite bad? Honestly I won't be offended just want an outside perspective. Thanks.

[Anna5]

Hello Asj604,

I think I do see some minor changes.... But I admit, it is a bit hard to see on the pictures.

And what is good or bad? You still have quite a big open bite and your teeth are not straight, but you are still so early in treatment and you are on your way to improvement and you surely will get nice results! I don't think your teeth look bad, but surely they can become 'better', but that is why you are having treatment now! And what is bad, your teeth may not be perfect, but are they bad then? I wouldn't dare to say that.....

I wonder, do you also struggle with self esteem issues/ self consciousness because of your teeth? You know, I am struggling a lot with this myself. Telling myself all the time how bad my teeth and my jaw look. And I am struggling with the question: should it all be perfect? Or is it ok to have a bit a misaligned jaw, an open bite and and crossbite? Can I live with imperfection? It would make life so much easier if I could, at least for now!

I hope for both of us that for now we can live with some imperfection, but that we will get some good results! I wish you very good luck!

[ajs604]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I really hope this treatment works as I really cannot face surgery!! The ortho has covered themselves by saying they really dont know how much improvement I will get and I respect that.

I wouldnt say that I have too many self estseem issues about the open bite as no one notices it unless you physically show them. I still dont think there is much known about conservative methods of treatment in Aus in comparison to say the US. Its kind of frustrating I still feel like I am a bit of a guinea pig but I honestly feel that my bite is improving all the time and I do have another 22 months to go at least. Fingers crossed for us both.

[Anna5]

I hope very much that your treatment will work, and I am sure it will. It might not become perfect, but I think you surely will get a great improvement. It is a shame that in Australia there is not much known about conservative methods. Here in Europe the same I think, but we keep our fingers crossed!

[kreyFL]

You do have quite an open bite, but I feel confident in your ortho simply because he feels that he can improve upon your bite enough to not have to opt for surgery - I feel surgery is the easy way out for orthos in a lot of cases - technology in orthodontics is getting so advanced that now there are several options to remedy open bites. Have you heard your ortho mention KIM or LOOP WIRES? This was always an option on the table for me. Scary looking but apparently pretty bad-a*s.

Out of curiosity (maybe you said it earlier) did you get a second opinion?

I felt somewhat anxious at the fact that my ortho would say things like "I think we can get there" but like you, I appreciate the honesty - I do not like when someone sugar coats things and I get let down.

I think you are going to have great results - and I will tell you that there were periods in my 2 year treatment (month 5, 9, 14) where I thought OMG ITS WORSE! But its all just part of the process and the bite takes awhile to get right, straightening crooked teeth is kinda the easy part.

I didn't get elastics for awhile, but you will be pretty amazed at how much movement you get without them too. Elastics kinda suck so don't worry if it takes a little while to get them.

[mbranc02]

Thanks for the info! I'll be following you as it looks like I'll be getting TADS as well. Eek!

[mmkay]

I still dont think there is much known about conservative methods of treatment in Aus in comparison to say the US. Its kind of frustrating I still feel like I am a bit of a guinea pig but I honestly feel that my bite is improving all the time and I do have another 22 months to go at least. Fingers crossed for us both.

The orthodontist I have seen (in Sydney) has been closing open bites for years with titanium miniplates like those at the bottom of this OPG:
http://origin-ars.els-cdn.com/content/i ... 8-gr19.jpg

So I am not a guinea pig.

[ajs604]

Hi thanks for your comments. Please could you tell me more about your story! I only had limited options and this was my best nonsurgical one. It does appear to be working though as have had a reduction in my open bite. I look forward to your reply.

[ajs604]

Hi all just thought I would add a photo to show you my progress. Unfortunately one of the elastic bands on my appliance broke 4 weeks ago on the left side so you can see that the right side has closed up more. There has been unquestionable improvement. My open bite started at 6-7mm and is now at 3mm on the right side. The left side is 5mm but this is because the elastic band snapped on the appliance. I had my adjustment last Thursday (15th August) and the orthdontist doubled up on the elastic to stop it brim breaking again. Unfortunately I was unable to get back there to get it fixed as I was too busy at work. I am really pleased with the progress and think the results are defiantly starting to show. Anyway just thought I would so a quick update.

[Anna5]

Very good progress, Andy, you must be very happy!

[ajs604]

Hi,

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I know I still have a long way to go but it has closed up 3-4mm sine I had the appliance inserted in May. Its feels like a big sense of achievement to me as teeth are starting to touch that havent touched in years.

Heres hoping it continues to close.

[MissRed]

Hi Andy,

I just wanted to say it looks like you are making fantastic progress and I will be following your story! I also have quite a severe open bite, going for my first consultation next week and I too do not want to go down the route of surgery, mainly down to being scared to be perfectly honest.

You're on your way to a new smile!