Metal Mouth Message Board

I have had braces on for 4 months and at the 6th month mark by ortho wants to pull two top teeth to help fix my very large overbite and slight overcrowding. After he pulls these, how long will it take to close the gap? He has given me an option not to have extractions but my front teeth would still overjet a lot and I'm torn as what to do.

You really should ask your ortho what he thinks, based on how quickly your teeth have been moving so far and how aggressive he feels he can safely be. It varies a lot.

Hello there.

I had 4 extractions 8 months into having braces. I took the ortho's advice because...he's the doctor I suppose. I wasn't happy about having 4 teeth removed, but my teeth were pretty flared out.

It's been about 3 months now and my extraction gaps are halfway closed.
I do notice a HUGE improvement and my bite has gotten so much better.
The extractions were quick and painless....and that's because I had 4 done at the same time.
The way I see it, the months will pass ANYWAY, and after a while the gaps aren't as annoying.

Regardless, do what your gut tells you. Everyone is different, of course.

I wish you the best of luck!

and also! Please ask how this will affect your tongue placement and airway.

I've heard of some serious medical conditions arise because that wasn't taken into account.

I got one lower taken out and my Ortho told me it will take 8 months or so to close the gap.

I cant see any movement as its only been 3 weeks .

Best to ask your Ortho as every case will differ .

5 monthes later one gap almost completely closed, and the second is closed 75%. now i have to wait for the top gaps to close! i have powerchains for 3 days now. i hope that i wont have gaps in my 1 year anniversary in may!

I had 2 lower premolars removed prior to braces. With power chains and Class I elastics (this method was referred to as active gap closure), it took 3 months for my gaps to close...but I didn't start active gap closure until I hit the 8 month mark.

Cases and treatment plans vary so much, you really just need to ask your ortho for an estimate.