Metal Mouth Message Board

Whose teeth weren't 100% perfectly straight when they finished their orthodontic treatment? Is it common that braces can only do so much?

My braces are due to come off sometime after my next visit and I feel like the upper left lateral isn't completely straight and the incisor next to it isn't completely rotated (one back molar he never braced is also crooked, but it's at the back so meh). I raised my concerns but my orthodontist has told me they're not going to get any straighter because there's no more room for them to move. I initially had an extremely narrow jaw/smile and my orthodontist is really quite amazing; he has managed to completely transform and widen my mouth without any extractions (I'm almost 28 and had a fixed palatal expander for the first 6 months instead of extractions).

I'm incredibly happy with how they've turned out so far and the tooth doesn't visually look crooked to anyone I've asked (as we're talking slight mms here), but I can see it and noticeably feel the crookedness with my tongue (from the photo, it looks like it's tilted on one side and aligned properly on the other, if that makes sense?). It's bothering me as I wanted and expected perfection, but am I being an idiot/have the limitations of the braces been reached/is it worth letting go/are there options I should ask him to consider? So many questions!

They're a bit out of order, but here are my before and after photos (it's the lateral on the right in the pictures). What are your thoughts? https://imgur.com/a/peyUM

I will be overjoyed if I get those teeth at the end of my treatment. Of course, your teeth was no too bad before the treatment. I love the shape and size of your teeth and gums. Congratulation. If the problem is needed a liitle more space, you can try IPR, but they look great to me in the picture. I will pay more attention on the molars to ensure that my bite is good or they are at best position that can be achieved before allowing my ortho to remove my braces.

I'd say, be completely happy before they come off. I'm getting towards the end of my treatment and always bring up things for my ortho to move or twist. In the end, they're your teeth, it's your smile, and you probably paid a good amount of money so get what you want.

An extra month or 2 to address your concerns will be worth it in the end.

I agree with the prior post that you need to be completely satisfied with everything. It's your smile But I will say, I think your teeth are absolutely perfect!! I don't see anything "out of line" in the photos.

Maybe it could be fixed with IPR and a bracket repo (and a couple more months), but if that were my mouth, I'd be satisfied with the result. (And if I am understanding what you want fixed, there's no guarantee retention could hold that particular movement in place.)

I think they look great but I do notice the left and right laterals look different. Maybe it's just the angle though. But it looks like your right-side lateral is up higher than on the left side, and they look like they are shaped slightly differently (maybe because of the angle and the fact that one you say is rotated). It looks to me like the one on your left side (right side of the picture) is the "correct" one though??? Whereas you're saying that's the one that's rotated? Maybe I misunderstood.

I don't think it's super noticeable but I do see it. If there is no room to move it, there is no room, but maybe IPR (interproximal-reduction aka shaving) is an option that would free up some room? Maybe not.
Or, potentially shaving and countouring down the edge of the other one so they match?

No idea whether any of this is feasible but they are questions I would ask about. Disclaimer: I am a perfectionist myself.

It really is amazing how much expansion your ortho has done - looks great!

I also think that they look great..