Metal Mouth Message Board

I have had an overbite all of my life. However, when the Ortho stated it was (10mm) I started thinking of myself as "bucky the beaver". I really didn't focus on my teeth until I got braces. Today I notice everyone who has a overbite and mentally compare them to myself.

Now that I have seen improvement I can't wait to turn in my membership card for the "Overbite Club".

Does anyone else feel the way I do???

Definitely! My overjet was 8mm when I started out, although it was kind of camouflaged by the fact that my front teeth slanted inwards a bit. Once they were all straightened out, it went to 10mm like yours, and has been that for about a year now.

I'm more than ready to trade in my membership card

I had thirty years where my teeth were angled to minimize my overbite. With them straighten out, I can't believe how difficult it is to eat.

Mike

Iborg: Why did you go from ceramics to all metal?

For some reason the ceramics wouldn't stay on. I had one bracket redone it least five times in less than a year. When I went for an adjustment and three of the things popped off I was ready to change. While some may think ceramics look better, if they won't stay on what good are they, mouth jewelry? Dr. P said they have one patient in about five hundred that there's something with their enamel that prevents the glue from holding well.

It must have worked as I've been all metal for since September without a loose bracket.

Mike

Wow, I have only had one pop off and it was on a crown. I asked about all metal and he "strongly" advised against it. The clear brackets are "cute" and are nearly invisible on my top teeth, but I wear bright powerchains now so it doesn't even matter.

One more Iborg:

Why were you given a bite plate? I think one of the consults I got suggested a bite plate. However, the other 2 did not recommend it.

I have the bite plate for two purposes. To open up my bite as well as prevent damage from grinding. I'm on my fourth one so far and they always bring a laugh at my ortho's office when she looks at the grind marks.

Mike

Wow! I was grinding and clenching when I got them, but I stopped after about 6 months. My jaw and neck feel better now.

MsViola wrote:I have had an overbite all of my life. However, when the Ortho stated it was (10mm) I started thinking of myself as "bucky the beaver". I really didn't focus on my teeth until I got braces. Today I notice everyone who has a overbite and mentally compare them to myself.

Now that I have seen improvement I can't wait to turn in my membership card for the "Overbite Club".

Does anyone else feel the way I do???

ROTFL!!!

I too, have been thinking to myself "IT'S TIME THE QUIT THE BUCKTOOTH CLUB!!!!!"

I have an overbite of 11 mm!!! 1 dime is a mm in width, so you can put 11 dimes between my uppers and lowers!

I've been called every name in the book, when I was younger...and still don't look at preteen kids the same way; I know how mean they are, and that's sad.

But anyway...it's gonna be a long and painful journey, since I must have surgery to corret the overjet, but I can see my whole life about to change, though I know I won't change that much inside

Jessiemae: How long is your sentence and what will the surgery do for you??

I never liked my teeth before but I didn't dwell on them. Now that I am on my way to having teeth I thought I would never get.........I can't wait to have my teeth "unbucked"

It will be a time to celebrate

I'm not sure how large my overbite is but it looks pretty significant to my untrained eye. My ortho said that in the first 7 weeks of having braces my overbite has actually gotten worse because I'm playing with my teeth with my tongue. Has this happened to anyone else?

Yrhino: Goodness!! That is a bummer! What did he suggest you do to keep it from happening? Are your teeth loose enough that you can actually push them forward with your teeth?

Good luck with keeping that tongue still !

MsViola wrote:Jessiemae: How long is your sentence and what will the surgery do for you??

I never liked my teeth before but I didn't dwell on them. Now that I am on my way to having teeth I thought I would never get.........I can't wait to have my teeth "unbucked"

It will be a time to celebrate

The ortho says like 26 months or more So I'd better get started. In about a year or so he says I will need to decide wheher to get lower-jaw surgery. At first when an ortho recommendeed it I figured it was b/c they were in cahoots, but I've had two docs recommend, but it's my decision. I estimate that the braces will only eliminate a few mm of the gap, so I probably will opt for the surgery. Most ppl have a small overbite, but if mine's like 6mm or more after treatment...Im going in. I guess they are going to cut my lower jaw and pull it out, I haven't talked to a maxillofacial surgeon yet. It won't be fun...will it be worth it?? That remains to be seen; I think so

Again wow! I was truamatized over making a decision about whether or not to have 2 pre-molars pulled to "make room". I finally decided to do it and I am glad that is behind me.

I am sure you will make the right decision. Go with your "gut"' instincts. Only you know how important it is for you.