How Does Your Doctor Do It?

[JillD]

I had overjet issues, so I had my bicuspids extracted on top and bottom teeth (plus three wisdom teeth). I am almost at one year anniversary since I started this journey. Up until now the focus of my treatment has been straightening my teeth and moving the canines so that they would fill the extraction gaps. Now that they are moved completely, I have new gaps (smaller than the original extraction gaps) between the canines and the incisors. My doctor said that she would start retracting my upper teeth at my next visit if my original gaps are closed. (They were not quite there when I saw her last time.) As far as I could find information, the method my doctor uses doesn't seem to be a norm to correct overjet issues. I mean, other doctors seem to retract the front teeth without waiting until the original extraction gaps are closed as long as the teeth are straight. How does your doctor do it?

[lawyerwithbraces]

Hey Jill, your orthos method is normal, I have read about this method, it has two stages, canine retraction followed by incisor retraction.

For my case, my ortho is retracting my canines and incisors at the same time. I'm not sure what the difference in outcome would be, but don't worry, I have heard of your method before!

[kennyandrew85]

My ortho let my crowded front 6th teeth line up first, then pulled them 6 together, Now they Srebrenica being anchored and the molars pulled forward, I'm 19 months in and still have 2 extraction gaps (one top left and one bottom right) when these close my midline should be good

[JillD]

Lawyer and Kenny,

Thank you for the answers. BTW how are your teeth pulled? By elastics or powerchains?

[junkfood1991]

Hey JillD, my ortho is doing the same thing to me (canine retraction 1st and then bring 4 front teeth back) and I'm 9.5 months in and canine retraction should be done by next month. It's the norm. Don't worry. Your ortho knows what she is doing.

Btw, how are you coping with the B I G gaps between lateral incisors and canines?? I'm so self-conscious about this. It looks like I have a missing tooth on each side.

[kennyandrew85]

They are being pulled together with powerchains, but I also have elastics on 1 side only, I assume this is to stop this side moving any further round and make the midline worse, I should ask really...

[JillD]

Btw, how are you coping with the B I G gaps between lateral incisors and canines?? I'm so self-conscious about this. It looks like I have a missing tooth on each side.

Mine is not that noticeable. My right side is bigger than the left. Still it isn't that big. Are you sure that people notice them? I would think they don't because of the wires over them.