Metal Mouth Message Board

If you feel you've chosen the wrong orthodontist to work on your case, how hard is it to switch after you already got braces on?

The reason why I'm thinking of switching is that my orthodontist advocates doing a lot of extractions and may have convinced my oral surgeon of this as well... I'd rather not have a bunch of perfectly healthy teeth pulled just to get a perfect midline (having the center of my teeth line up with the center of my lip). And if I need oral surgery, I'd rather go that route and have things done correctly than have a bunch of healthy teeth pulled.

We're in the process of getting second and third opinions... but I wanted to find out if anyone went through having to change an orthodontist after they already started. I mean, moving is one thing.... no one is going to have hard feelings about that. But if I'm switching because I don't like the direction we're going in... that's a bit more touchy. Anyone else do this? Should I just stick it out with the ortho I have currently? Let me know what you think...

I think I'd wait on the second and third opinion to be sure.

I don't believe in doing anything that makes me feel uneasy. Doing such things have gotten me into too much trouble in the past, and I would like to think that I've learned my lesson.

Keep in mind that I don't have any first hand experience with this sort of issue, especially since I only just started, but I hope to never have to find a new ortho during the course of my treatment. I like him bunches, and I think he has a good crew under him.

How far in are you? Do you already have races on both arches?

I agree with the need for second need third opinions. You may simply address the problem, as I don't like the direction you are trying to take my case. During my initial consults extractions were not suggested and I am unwilling to have them. This may not set well with your ortho but it would be good to get the matter out in the open.

I fully support your desire to explore options. Some take extractions lightly. I don't, Remember once a tooth is gone, it’s gone. It can be replaced with an implant but that can run about 4-8 thousand per tooth.

My treatment right now is centered on opening the space in my top arch where my pre molars were pulled thirty years ago when I first had braces. I've spent at least the last 25 years wishing I could do it over again and have more control in my treatment. For the first time in those 25 years I actually happy with how my teeth look.

DON"T just accept that extractions are the only viable course of action until you have had at least three or four other consults. In your case it may be the best treatment option. Then again, another ortho may be the best orthodontist.

Mike

I will definitely get some second, third or maybe fourth opinions. My husband and I have already looked up other oral surgeons for consultations. My orthodontist seems to be of the opinion that if they *can't* open up space, that he'll have to go for extractions. So I'm kind of trying to convince him that it won't be necessary. but since my original oral surgeon was all for opening up my arch via surgery and then suddenly changed her mind after talking with my ortho, I almost wonder if it's the orthodontist who is pushing for the extractions...

Whatever the case, I'm not going to blindly accept pulling three or four teeth in the front of my mouth. I think I would be miserable if that happened and will end up being profoundly unhappy with the results. I think it'll end up making my face look very flat and/or having some kind fo collapsed profile - not to mention whatever other terrors might await me if I went that route...

I have to admit too that it just bugs me. I could have taken the "cosmetic" approach years and years ago - of just pulling a bunch of teeth and straightening what remains. I was told that was the down and dirty approach and could lead to problems and this is what I was told by three different orthodontists where I used to live. I don't understand why it should be so different here.

I have indeed already started treatment. I have full metal braces on both my top and bottom arches, though there are a few teeth they couldn't include in the braces as of yet because there's no space for them and they're in odd positions (e.g. the roof of my mouth.) I'll be mad if they end up pulling the one in the roof of my mouth because it would have been FAR more comfortable if they pulled the darn thing ten years ago. But I was *always* told that I needed to keep that one around - by countless numbers of dentists and about six different orthodontists. I'm not going to be happy if they tell me suddenly that *now* they need to pull it. Sheesh...

Not that I won't keep "an open mind". If it's what they have to do, it's what they have to do. I'm just suspicious because it goes against the professional advice I received before from several different independent orthodontists...