Metal Mouth Message Board

At 23, I'm finally trying to improve my smile. I had had a 3 consultations for braces, they've suggested surgery or extraction of premolars and full braces to correct my overbite. I was ok with this at first, but after talking to my dentist about the extractions and also seeing horror stories of people on the internet that say their face was "dished in" or flat looking with decreased lip support after braces and extractions, I have started to rethink the extractions decision. I canceled my treatment with the orthodontist that suggested the extractions and have a consultation with a Damon braces provider in my area because of their claims of "fewer extractions."
Have any of you as adults with massive overbites had just braces and no extractions with nice results? I've decided I might be ok with just improvement of the overbite and hopefully getting all the spacing out between my teeth. The extractions worried me because I already have so much spacing and I feel that my smile would look super narrow with the extractions adding MORE space to pull my teeth back. I have a consultation with the damon braces orthodontist on the 15th of next month and hope to make a decision then. Hopefully no extractions! I'll post pics of my smile once i'm able to, new users can't.

Pictures
So much spacing, and so much overbite lol

If you really don't want to have extractions or surgery, when the orthodontist has stated those are needed for the ideal result, then you should expect to only be able to achieve a certain result. If you're happy with that, then I would go that route.

First look at what most bothers you about your smile, and then ask yourself and the orthodontist if the treatment plan you want will fix that. There have been quite a few people on this forum who have turned down parts of the treatment (extractions/surgery) and then were disappointed when they didn't get the "ideal" smile. That is exactly why I decided to go with surgery... even though I did it kicking and screaming.

Update: On my latest consulation, I finally heard a solution I'm ok with! This Ortho said he could fix my spacing and overjet with elastics and Damon braces. He says I have enough spacing to begin with and also my arches or smile is narrow so broadening it would help fix the overjet and align my teeth etc with no need for extractions. I'm glad I've finally found a treatment plan I'm comfortable with I get braced on September 6th!

Happy to hear you have an official brace date, with a treatment plan you're comfortable with! I too did not want extractions. I have very healthy, strong teeth. My problem is a narrow arch and overcrowding, but I always felt that this could be fixed without extractions once my wisdom teeth were out. I only went to 2 consultations: the 1st told me 4 extractions, 24 months treatment, and a LOT of $$$ (even after insurance). The 2nd told me no extractions, 18 months treatment, and half the price of the 1st guy. His office wasn't as "fancy" but he had a great vibe (important to me when dealing with doctor-types), and offered a treatment plan I was comfortable with. So you can imagine, I chose the 2nd. I get braced on 8/28. Can't wait to see your day 1 pics, and follow your journey from here!!!!

PaisleyGrrl81 wrote:Happy to hear you have an official brace date, with a treatment plan you're comfortable with! I too did not want extractions. I have very healthy, strong teeth. My problem is a narrow arch and overcrowding, but I always felt that this could be fixed without extractions once my wisdom teeth were out. I only went to 2 consultations: the 1st told me 4 extractions, 24 months treatment, and a LOT of $$$ (even after insurance). The 2nd told me no extractions, 18 months treatment, and half the price of the 1st guy. His office wasn't as "fancy" but he had a great vibe (important to me when dealing with doctor-types), and offered a treatment plan I was comfortable with. So you can imagine, I chose the 2nd. I get braced on 8/28. Can't wait to see your day 1 pics, and follow your journey from here!!!!

Yay! Glad you're keeping all your teeth too! This last office I decided on had a great vibe too, they were all very friendly. Thats important when you'll be seeing them for the next 18-24 months. I'm excited! Ill be posting progress pics here and hope to see yours too

Day one 9/06/13

Damon clear on top and bottom, turbos on molars so I won't bite my brackets off. Next appointment 10/16/13

Better day one pic

2 weeks!
I can tell a slight difference in the flaring of my two front teeth. Also the gaps on the sides of my canines are a little bigger, I thought that was a little weird, but hopefully they intended for that to happen

Good luck on your journey, BraceFaceCH.

BraceFaceCH wrote:2 weeks!
I can tell a slight difference in the flaring of my two front teeth. Also the gaps on the sides of my canines are a little bigger, I thought that was a little weird, but hopefully they intended for that to happen

AWESOME!!!

I can already tell some of the changes/movements from the photos! That's awesome. Good luck with your treatment!

Your braces look great. I haven't started the process yet but am imagining that I'll end up with metal brackets on the lower. I really love the look of your ceramics though! I have a really significant overbite as well, but no spacing. I'm a bit worried about finding out what will be necessary.

Thanks! Originally I was supposed to get metal on the bottom, but since I mentioned my nickel allergy he went with clear top and bottom. They really aren't that noticeable going by the reactions I got from most people when I got them on. Pretty smooth too, so far I haven't had to use wax. I've only been in them a little under a month but from a comfort and aesthetics viewpoint I definitely recommend them.

Current progress after 1 day in power chains (on top and bottom 4 teeth), and 3 months of braces. My (main) gap is closing! So excited. These power chains are pretty excruciating but it's worth it, my gap was already closing a little with the two wire changes, but with the 3rd wire I got on the 18th and the power chains, the top midline gap pretty much changed drastically overnight. Next appointment in February I'm supposed to get rubber bands to start on pulling my overbite back.