Kind of depressed now... [Trying to decide to do it or not]

Message

#1 Post by **Memran** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:38 pm

Well... after introducing myself this thread viewtopic.php?t=24379
I've now been to see the first ortho..

Its given me a lot to think about, and not all good. I thought I wanted lingual top labial bottom, but he thinks thats not a great idea as mixing techniques adds to the possibility of problems. I don't really want to pay out for the lingual top and bottom, especially when the bottom wouldn't really be seen anyway.

I don't want extractions.

I was also told that without extractions, I'd very likely be unhappy with the end result, as my teeth would be pushed forward quite a bit. Seems like I'm looking at two premolars on the top and one front incisor on the bottom which is way out of line already and will likely be lost in the next decade or so anyway....

I don't want extractions.

Although he didn't say it outright, I think the ortho expects that clear ceramic top and normal metal bottom would be my most likely choice now. I think he's right.

Next thing on the list is to make an appointment at my local hospital for xrays to check general teeth health.

I didn't want extractions.

I've asked for him to email the photos of my teeth, and when he does I'll post them on here (if thats ok) and maybe get some non-dental/orthodontic, purely aesthetic opinions from the kind people on here.

Oh, by the way, I didn't want extractions.

#2 Post by **jennielee81** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:18 pm

Oh, by the way, I didn't want extractions

I hear ya!!!!

Have you gotten a second consult? or is that out of the question??

I look forward to future updates and pix.

#3 Post by **Arvensis** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:33 pm

Memran:

I see you've got a mantra going in your head. Let me suggest a new one!

I've had (in a total of 25 years):
1 palate expander with key to turn every night
1 headgear, worn at night
5 baby teeth extracted, in three separate procedures.
1 lip bumper
5 wisdom teeth extracted, in two separate procedures.
2 years with braces (first time around)
9 months or so with braces (second time around)
4 orthodontists, including
1 orthodontist who used my teeth as a test case and published the results in medical journals about using palate expanders and lip bumpers on children.
3 different oral surgeons, for baby teeth, wisdom teeth, and jaw surgery
and
1 jaw surgery

I'm okay. You're going to be okay too!!!

I know at first it always seems like the Gods have thrown down lightening bolts (believe me, discovering the 5th wisdom tooth at 25 after having all four out at 16... certainly left me wondering) but we've all been there and understand.

So here is your new mantra.... Repeat after me. "I'm going to be okay. I will have good drugs. I'm going to be okay."

See, mantras are useful!!!

#4 Post by **purpleteeth** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:12 pm

Get multiple opinions and know what your full range of options are before you decide. I didn't want extractions and I knew I had crowding, so I made very clear when I was looking. I got 2 evals and found out about the 2 types of braces that I could afford/ were practical options for me (Damon and traditional metal).

Have you considered Damon brackets? They aren't as visible and my orthodontist said they pull teeth a lot less with this system than with traditional braces. Some of the Damon brackets are clear or partially clear (I have seen different brackets online). Mine are half clear-half metal for the visible top brackets, making them look TINY, and then full metal on bottom.

Most importantly, don't freak out just yet. Get second and third and forth opinions. Ask questions and don't be afraid to shop around. I know both of my evals were free, so that made me very comfortable in seeking out additional opinions.

#5 Post by **lionfish** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:39 pm

I'd be interested to know why "mixing techniques" - lingual upper, labial lower - would cause problems. There have been many of us on here, myself included, who went with that combination and I can't recall any of us having had problems with that choice.

#6 Post by **Brahma** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:47 am

Hey you,

the others are right, I think. Why donÂ´t you want extractions? Because of keeping all your teeth or are you afraid of pain or something?
I have some crowding, too and didnÂ´t want extractions either. Four orthos told me, it would be the only way. Now one already is gone and surprisely I am totally happy with my decision and am sure, it is the best way for reaching the aim.

Just be sure youÂ´re clear about what you want beforehand. If you are not, just take your time. One day itÂ´ll be all clear to you.

cu,

Brahma

#7 Post by **theroo** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:16 am

extractions are scary, yes, but they really arent that bad. with the anaesthetic you won't feel a thing and while the force is a bit weird, you'll be okay!

just go for it, you'll be fine

#8 Post by **Memran** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:07 pm

Thanks for your replies!

Still waiting for him to email the pics, but it seems like he can't / won't / forgot, although he did give me a printout. I could always scan it.

I agree that another opinion would be good at this stage. I'd like to make sure I'm covering all options. The ortho I saw yesterday seemed very professional, and I think I could get on ok with him, but I need to be sure...

I've booked a slot for my Xrays on Friday morning, and another appointment with the same ortho, to look over them. I guess this still counts as the initial consultation?

So yea.. extractions..

To me, it just somehow seems really bad to pull out healthy teeth. I'm also concerned about the impact that would have on my profile. My nose sticks out far enough as it it without my mouth appearing to move backwards! It has nothing to do with pain, and since I'm a bloke, even if it did, I'd never admit it

Oh he also told me that I could expect my overbite to increase to about 5-6mm at the end of treatment. Another concern, or is 5-6mm not excessive? Perhaps its just enough to screw up my embouchure for trumpet playing.

Then there's the tiny matter of being braced for 30 months. That truly sounds like an eternity!

#9 Post by **Memran** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:15 pm

I've been browsing more and more on this forum and came accross jennielee81's story. (viewtopic.php?t=3535&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0)

Having read all 17 pages just now, and closely examining each and every photo of the before and after, I was struck my how remarkably similar our pre-treatment teeth are/were. I also notice that she didn't have any extractions.

Maybe there's still hope!

#10 Post by **platinum** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:09 pm

Hi!

I did not want any extractions. First ortho told me that they cant fix my overjet of 6mm without a jaw surgery!!! Well, I did not want that. He also said that extractions would fix my overjet, but my face would change.
I went to another ortho and he did not mention a jaw surgery and did not want to pull any teeth. After 12 months of being braces my overjet is smaller, not totally gone though. I am hoping that shaving my teeth a little bit will give enough space to fix my overjet.

If possible go and ask other opinions.

#11 Post by **Memran** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:30 pm

Still no pics emailed from my ortho so here's some lower quality scanned images of my gnashers!

Guess which tooth I dislike the most?!

I guess from the front is the 'nicest' angle...

Yep, from this side it looks nasty too!

Bottom arch with the wonkey left incisor, which the ortho wants to pull.

Pretty crowded top arch, with not much room for the lateral incisor.

Nasty, yes?

#12 Post by **jennielee81** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:43 pm

YOu're right, they do look a little like my before teeth!

The reason my ortho was able to do my teeth without extractions was because he saw that there would be room to align them by broadening the circumference of my arches. I had an hour glass arch before and simply by rounding it out and pushing those teeth SAFELY towards the outer edges of my jaw, everything had room.

It looks as though there is more crowding in yours without the "excess" arch area available.

I did go to a different ortho for a consult who recommended pulling upper and lower #4's. I think my ortho just really knows his stuff with using Damons and rounding the arch. He rarely does extractions, but even he extracts when it is necessary. Sometimes it is unavoidable.

You'll be fine even if you do need extractions. I had my wisdoms out and it wasn' bad at all. REALLY!!!!

#13 Post by **breal87** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:45 pm

They are not hideous, don't be so hard on yourself!

#14 Post by **kittymeow84** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:49 pm

Interesting seeing your photos.

Check out my story too and you will see my teeth are VERY crowded - My ortho didn't recommend extractions as he said it would change my face too much.

In comparison to my crowding yours isn't nearly as severe. Your bite doesn't look too bad either (molars line up nice). Though I think the difference with my teeth is that they are angled inwards and fixing that will create a lot of space.
Still - you have much more room for your wonky teeth than I do.

If you're uncomfortable about extractions - just like I was - then keep looking for an ortho that will only do them as a last resort.
I share your belief in not removing healthy teeth. An ortho should agree to at least trying to fix your teeth first without extractions. And THEN if things aren't going as planned, have the teeth removed.

I sometimes wonder if the popularity of extractions is due simply to methods of teaching and not a true requirement for them to be done. In no way should it be your *first* option IMHO.

#15 Post by **METALMOUTHPOOH** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:46 pm

Hey

U might want to check out my b4 photos as well. I think we are alot alike.... one is because there was no way I was getting any teeth remove AT ALL..... and my ortho understood that and did tooth slendering and it really worked well

and two I had a lot of crowding as well.