Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello. I had been using braces for 5 years but change to a new orthodontist about 2 weeks ago. I'm starting a new treatment. Right now I don't have braces on, I will get them on wednesday.
Anyway, supposedly I'm a surgical pacient(underbite) but the new orthodontist says she might be able to camouflage it from 60-80 %, maybe 90%. The treatment goes as this: I'll use a "bite block" for about a year and braces for about 2 1/2 or 3 years. She says she will also extract four teeth (not the wisdom ones, those are already removed). What worries me is how will I look at the end of the treatment. I mean, I already have a long face and I don't know how much of an improvement will there be asthetically. I mean, it's good to have a good bite and teeth, but if aesthetically speaking I end up looking worse than before then I would consider it a failure.
What do you think?

Also, I want to post photos of my x rays so you can better understand my situation but I don't know how to do it.

Appreciate your input.

I was told my multiple orthos that I was a surgical patient. Only one said they would work with me otherwise. I decided to go the surgery route. It is a lot to go through, but I would rather have those results than "meh" results with braces. The braces are costing me out of pocket either way

I'm not sure how your case is. I have an underbite/crossbite/openbite. I don't have my exact measurements but let's just say only my back two teeth on each side touch. Your case may not be as bad. My sisters both have underbites too (got the crap shoot from the gene pool I guess!), but they neither one did surgery (both had expanders.

Your orthodontist does not sound very knowledgeable. Extracting four healthy teeth and expecting only 60-80 % improvement. She actually means to do this to you and still leave you with an underbite! Many people regret extractions because they give you a sort of "good" bite but your face is left unbalanced. Fixing your bite with braces will not improve how your face looks. You might end up with an edge to edge bite on your front teeth. If I were you I would go for a consultation with an oral surgeon and ask him to explain to you if the orthodontist's plan is reasonable. You really need an objective assessment of your problem. I would trust an oral surgeon's opinion more than any orthodontist's especially since you have a skeletal problem. I would not extract any teeth other than the wisdom teeth. Find yourself a board certified oral surgeon and someone who is very experienced. Good luck!

Very difficult to say without a full exam and records.

There are times when dental camouflage may give you a good dental result (as in look at the teeth only), but provide you with a less harmonious facial profile. You should ask about some of the expected facial changes.

As for only expected X% of improvement, this is completely reasonable given the fact that the other option is surgery. If you are concerned, go and seek a few other opinions. The orthodontist should be exceedingly qualified to let you know what they feel is possible orthodontically.