Gap Closing...except it's not

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#1 Post by **Tin Man** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:26 pm

Waaay back in April we moved on to the gap closing phase of treatment. Since then it's just been new powerchain after new powerchain. Last adjustment I was supposed to be done and get new wires and bracket reposition. Alas, the gaps were not yet closed and I was given a new powerchain and another six weeks for it to do it's business.

My next adjustment comes on Nov. 8 and I gotta say that the gaps have not closed one iota since the last adjustment. If anything, I'd say that one fo them has gotten larger. The question I'm posing in this minor dissertation is what do they do when powerchains aren't doing the trick?

#2 Post by **peanut** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:03 pm

Which teeth is the gap between?

I have a gap between my front teeth, and my treatment plan indicates that I will need a frenectomy to keep my gap closed, otherwise it will re-open once my braces come off. I don't know all the details of the frenectomy, but it has something to do with bone, or gum tissue, or something like that.

Perhaps there is something more to your gap than just a space between your teeth? Have you spoken to your orthodontist about this yet? Perhaps you could call and book an extra appointment with your OD to ask what the plan is.

Good luck!
peanut

#3 Post by **mtbrncofn** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:35 pm

peanut wrote:Which teeth is the gap between?

I have a gap between my front teeth, and my treatment plan indicates that I will need a frenectomy to keep my gap closed, otherwise it will re-open once my braces come off. I don't know all the details of the frenectomy, but it has something to do with bone, or gum tissue, or something like that.

Perhaps there is something more to your gap than just a space between your teeth? Have you spoken to your orthodontist about this yet? Perhaps you could call and book an extra appointment with your OD to ask what the plan is.

Good luck!
peanut

I have to have the same treatment. My biggest gap is in the same spot. It's a piece of tissue that is up there behind your teeth. Mine is unfortunately thicker and more prominent that most. That's why I'll need the frenectomy.

I will also be having retainer bars put in when my braces are off to help insure those beasts stayed together!

#4 Post by **Qtgirl** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:18 pm

Hey Tin Man. I was in the same situation (with the powerchains) however my teeth did move...slowly but surely they did. I started the gap closing process on September 1st and every week I was in new powerchains except until the 3rd powerchain. My ortho had a big emergency so Im stuck on my third chains

And while my gap isnt completely closed I think another month may do, Im also getting my open bite closed along the way. Is your gap on the top of your teeth or the bottom, Im not 100% on this- but Ive heard the bottom teeth with gaps take longer to close. Some teeth are just stubborn to move on the other hand. Hang in there

#5 Post by **Tin Man** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:08 am

No frenectomy or any other types of surgery for me. My treamtent plan (at least my orginal treatment plan) was top and bottom braces for 18-24 months. Nothing else. The gaps are on both sides of my top canines.

#6 Post by **doglover1395** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:55 am

Hey Tinman,
Wow... I have the exact same problem as you in what seems to be the same places (between my upper canines and lateral insisors). They have been trying to close my gaps for 3 months now with no luck. They are doing this with closing loops. It is very frustrating . One of the reasons that they might not be closing is elastics. They pull they canines back opening the spaces more (if worn from canine to molar). I think this is what is happening with me.
Good luck and I hope our gaps close soon!