Metal Mouth Message Board

Through my reading of various topics/threads I've come across the problem of extractions leading to a "sunken in" face. To be honest, this freaks me out. The majority of the reason I have braces is to make myself look more attractive, not less so!

When my orthodontist told me I needed some teeth extracted to make room for my other teeth that were crowded - it made sense to me. It seems to me that I have too many teeth for my mouth. now when I started treatment, I didn't get more than one consultation... I just went with the orthodontist that is at my dentist's office. I've read a little about "functional" orthodontics and searched for one in my city... but it seems none of them take my insurance. I'm pretty sure at my next appointment (next week) we are taking out two of my upper teeth - is this a mistake?


my profile


facing forward - pre-braces (and with makeup on)


facing forward - taken today.

I have high cheekbones and I'm concerned that if my cheeks "sink in" I'll have a skeletal look. I have a small mouth and small lips and my facial features are close together in the center of my face. Also I'm in the process of losing weight so I expect my face is going to be thinner just from that and I'd hate to look "too thin" because of extractions. I'm also worried it will make me look older.

yes, all superficial concerns, but I'm an actor and my "look" is important.


my teeth

I'm sure you'll all just tell me to talk to my orthodontist about my concerns but he's been pretty adamant that the only way to fit all of my teeth in alignment is to remove some. (there was some talk about removing my impacted canine but I've had it exposed and it's been moving so he wants to take out my bicuspid) and he wants to take out two on the top and two on the bottom.

someone reassure me please!

This is just my opinion looking at your pictures. Right now you have teeth stacked on teeth, even with taking out a couple I don't think this will actually shorten your arches, In fact I think that lining everthing up will even lengthen your arches especially on your lower. On your upper you are actually gaining one tooth with your canine coming down, and losing two so really only one tooth is going away from your uppers. I think this will help even things out

Thanks for your reply! I'm just really nervous about it and reading threads where people regretted their extractions and had horrible results, etc really freaked me out.

I think it's OK for you to tell your orthodontist that you are just not ready for the extractions, that you need time to think about it. It will lengthen your treatment time but that is a minor detail, this is your face! Get a consultation with another orthodontist or your regular dentist and see what they say. You'll probably have to pay for this, but it's important for your peace of mind.

Agree with the comment above. If there is so much crowding that your arch is going to stay about the same size even with teeth removed, there should be little impact on your profile.

Facially, you should let your orthodontist know that you do not want any profile reduction, even if extractions are required.

From your photo, it looks like it would be very difficult to fit all of those teeth in safely without causing future periodontal issues. Good luck!

Hi I have started my own research about extractions and I have the same worries as you have , I been debating wether I should have 4 bicuspids removed since 2/3 ortho said I should... 3rd one says its possible to do it without extractions so I went with him. I have minor crowding one of my top front tooth is partially tucked in the back of my other front tooth. My mouth is already full of teeth and I have somewhat large teeth... He says he can file each tooth to create space my teeth was not sensitive at all. My mouth doesn't have much wiggle room but was able to get braces on. I have them on for 2 months now, not much change yet, I am worried if I don't get extraction I would have fanned out look ... I'm just gonna wait and see before I decide on extraction since it will cost more money and time.

Maybe you can ask your ortho if shaving teeth is possible? I would go that route first and see what happens , there's also Damon braces that I heard can correct without extractions. If those don't work extraction should be the last resort .

Is your ortho gonna expand your palate? Also the pictures were taken under different lighting but in the second one titled "taken today" your face seems to be thinned a bit. Now Im worried for myself :((

Is there a possibility of you getting self-ligating brackets? Because those who use them usually do not require extractions. You can also try to ask your orthodontist if stripping/or filing down your teeth can create enough space in order to avoid extractions. All the best to you!

Did you go ahead and move forward with the extractions?