Are extraction gaps always closed 100%?

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#1 Post by **JesseJames** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:47 am

Im just wondering, im getting so close to being done!! But my gaps still have a mm or two to go. They haven't seemed to move much at all the past few months and even my ortho was surprised.
It looks like there is no more room for my teeth to move back either.

I know every case is unique, but i was wondering if its ever normal that extraction gaps will be mostly closed, but may still have a mm or two gap left when the braces come off?
It wouldnt bother me since it was my first molars that were extracted (the ones next to the canines), and i'd imaging i could just get bonding on my molar to help fill it in.
So, does that ever happen?

#2 Post by **PigletInIowa** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:25 pm

That was exactly my fear in my case, too. I had 2 upper premolars extracted to correct an overjet, sometimes my ortho says that he thinks he can close it, sometimes he told me there might be a 1mm gap. So I used to ask him do I need to have my lower shaved a bit to make room, and he says it's possible. Anyway, I think I always get contradicting answers from him, and never absolute:(

So have you asked your ortho if shaving the lowers is an option? from what I've heard, you can make at least 3mm (0.5mm (0.25mm x2 sides) x 6 teeth) out of it, maybe even more. From what I've heard about bonding, it's usually done on the front teeth, do you know if you can also do it for the molar? Anyway, I'll try to ask more about it on my next appointment, which is still 3 weeks away

But I'll keep you updated. Please also let me know if your ortho propose any solution for this. BTW, how long did it take you to close your gaps? I mean after all the teeth alignments were done and from the ortho start to pull the front teeth back (say put on power chains and stuff)

#3 Post by **MsViola** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:52 pm

All I can say is I sure hope so!!!! I had 2 premolars pulled after much soul searching

.

I will be waiting to see what the two of you (Jesse & Piglet) find out.

#4 Post by **overseasmel** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:13 pm

My ortho told me that extraction gaps in adults don't always completely close. This view was seconded by another ortho I saw. That said, they both said it was far more likely than not that they would, and that they would do everything they could to close them.

I had four second premolars out in October last year. 3 gaps have closed, and one (lower left) has just under a mm to go. Apparently the average movement is 1mm/month.

Hang in there.

#5 Post by **Stich** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:52 pm

I had 4 premolars pulled, also. When my braces were removed all 4 gaps had closed. The top ones were a bit stubborn, but my ortho switched from powerchains to springs and then they closed right up.

Since getting the braces off, though, the bottom left gap has opened a little. I just have a bonded retainer for my bottom teeth. The gap is very small and is only noticable to me when flossing, so I feel it is no big deal and am leaving it be. All my other extractions are staying closed well and it has been a year since the braces came off.

#6 Post by **KLC** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:50 pm

Overseasmel- You stated that average mm is 1mm/month. Anyone know how many mm most first molars are? I have to get all four out and am just curious!! How many months will it take to close???

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#7 Post by **PigletInIowa** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:10 pm

Not sure about others, my upper premolars were 6-7mm/ea. Now after 2 month, mine upper right gap is 4.5mm, and upper left is a bit over 5mm now, but the left one seems to stop closing up for the past 2 weeks, which is a little disappointing. I saw a great method of measuring the gap size: use the dental wax to make a mold inside your gap, then take it out to measure it. So far it's been very convenient for me. Though I know I'm not supposed to see any big difference every day, but I just can't stop measuring it. And last weekend, 9 days after my 2nd adjustment, after all my bite discomforts gone for a week, I suddenly felt really uncomfortable with my bite on the right side, and couldn't fall asleep. So I just got up and look at my teeth (a bit sick), play with the wax and measured it. And there it was, the gap jumped from a bit under 5mm to 4.5mm, and I was so excited, so looks like that was the cause of the bite discomfort.

#8 Post by **KLC** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:08 pm

That's a great trick! I'll have to remember that... and will probably be measuring every day-lol! I have my x-ray appt tomorrow. After tomorrow, there is no backing out- yikes!!

#9 Post by **gingerprince** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:21 am

what a great measuring tip PigletInIowa...thanks!

#10 Post by **PigletInIowa** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:30 am

This one I'll have to give credit to Chris1960, it was hidden in one of her old posts. It's just amazing how many useful info we can get from people's posts, except it really takes a long long time, and after a while I feel I'm getting to abscessed to this whole braces issue and I need to stop thinking about it. But then the next day I'll just go back again

#11 Post by **KLC** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:53 am

It's a major decision, you're allowed to become slightly obsessed

I find that I don't look people in the eye any longer when I talk to them, I'm too busy secretly checking out their teeth- lol! I went out to eat the other night and both the waiter and bus boy had braces (both adults) plus the woman sitting at the table next to me. They are everywhere! If they can do it, so can I (or so I have to keep telling myself- lol!)