Metal Mouth Message Board

So following my follow up appointment and officially going ahead with upper and lower linguals, the orthodontist informed me that as i have a tooth missing up top (i wasn't born with it for some reason) when my teeth do become aligned the top and bottom won't match up bite wise so she's suggested i have a lower lateral incisor removed.

My initial thought is it's such a drastic and prominent tooth to remove! it will be instantly visible to anyone whilst speaking, obviously over a few months the gap will reduce but i'm worried if it's such a drastic gap will it make a permanent change to the shape of my face? i need to ask her this myself the next time i see her but was just checking to see if anyone else has had a tooth removed before getting braces and their face shape has changed drastically or for the better?

I'm sure the orthodontist wouldn't suggest the removal unless it was for the good of the end result, it's still a big step!

I have that. Ortho install an artificial tooth at the wire and now there's not visible. Just talk to your ortho about fears and doubts.

Ok great, she said about putting a white filling of some sorts in between the teeth either side of the gap but i'm still worried about it. It won't be for too long compared to the length my teeth will be looking great so i'll just put up with it!

Yes, prominence no longer a problem after braces are on. Only time between extraction day and getting braces are awkward, so I've done extraction one day before. But this is quite painful, unhealed extraction gap and braces. So if you have an option:take a holiday couple of days and do extraction a few days before.

Ok great, she said about putting a white filling of some sorts in between the teeth either side of the gap but i'm still worried about it.

Someone really have to study your lower teeth to notice that. If you don't tell anybody none will notice. I'm crazy about this things and for me it looks fine, I was really glad for the result.

I only have 3 incisors on the bottom (adult tooth never formed). No one notices unless it's pointed out. The only downside is that in order to maintain symetry they can't line up the middle of the top incisors with the middle of the bottom ones as there will be 4 on the top and 3 on the bottom, instead the middle tooth of the 3 lower incisors will have to be centred.

Google "Lora Braces" and can see how well your situation can turn out. She posted this excellent blog with monthly updates and photos 3 or 4 years ago. She had a lower incisor removed.

Ok great thankyou! that blog is good and they got a great result with the incisor removed.

Moulds taken and date set for May 15th for the braces to be fitted, then i get the tooth removed once the brace has settled in. Excited!

I am already braced, but I have to have my lower lateral incisor removed on the 22nd. I am very scared.

There's nothing to be scary of. Tooth is small as the gap will be. Now I just love my 3 incisors, before extraction my 4 fight for the place and going out of the bone.