Hey guys!
I am about to start using Invisalign for the first time and my dentist has just received the paperwork for my treatment.
She told me that there will be a 1/4 inch (or 5 mm) gap between my top front teeth and my bottom front teeth. To me, that seems quite large.
Has anyone else had a gap of this size after using Invisalign? I do have an overbite where my two front teeth completely cover my bottom teeth. I'm not sure if those of you without an overbite have had a gap between your top and bottom teeth after your treatment.
Thank you in advance for any feedback you may have!
Help! 1/4 inch distance between top and bottom teeth???
Moderator: bbsadmin
Lisa07, this doesn't sound right!! I am also being treated for deep overbite. In my case, my lower teeth contacted my upper gums behind my front teeth before starting treatment.
From your comment that your upper teeth complete cover your lowers, I would assume you now have about 4 to 5 MM of overbite. If there is going to be a 5 mm gap between your uppers and lowers afterwards this would mean a movement of 10 mm vertically?
I suggest you review this in more detail before starting treatment and see your clincheck computer results before moving forward.
As a FYI, I've been in treatment for seven months, and I'm still waiting to see some change in vertical improvement. I need about 5 mm of correction. My treatment plan is to intrude my front lower teeth then extrude the rears. I would be interested if your treatment plan is similar.
From your comment that your upper teeth complete cover your lowers, I would assume you now have about 4 to 5 MM of overbite. If there is going to be a 5 mm gap between your uppers and lowers afterwards this would mean a movement of 10 mm vertically?
I suggest you review this in more detail before starting treatment and see your clincheck computer results before moving forward.
As a FYI, I've been in treatment for seven months, and I'm still waiting to see some change in vertical improvement. I need about 5 mm of correction. My treatment plan is to intrude my front lower teeth then extrude the rears. I would be interested if your treatment plan is similar.
Thanks for the response! I will definitely get a second opinion.
I realize that I may have sounded a bit confusing. The 5 mm gap is between the back of my top teeth and the front of my lower teeth.
I just spoke to my dentist and she said that this gap can be reduced from 1/4 of an inch to a quarter of an inch by trimming a few of my teeth.
I was hoping I wouldn't have to trim any of my teeth but that 5 mm gap just seems so large!
Did you (or anyone else) experience this same problem?
I realize that I may have sounded a bit confusing. The 5 mm gap is between the back of my top teeth and the front of my lower teeth.
I just spoke to my dentist and she said that this gap can be reduced from 1/4 of an inch to a quarter of an inch by trimming a few of my teeth.
I was hoping I wouldn't have to trim any of my teeth but that 5 mm gap just seems so large!
Did you (or anyone else) experience this same problem?
I think thats called an overjet rather than an overbite, and its possible that it exists at the moment, but you don't notice it too much because of the overbite. At least your dentist warned you in advance so that you can understand what the outcome of treatment would be. The clincheck is really useful for that - one of my options was extracting a lower incisor, so my dentist showed me the clincheck and I could see the resulting overjet really clearly. We then also looked at keeping that tooth and trimming the teeth (interproximal reduction - IPR) instead. I decided to go down that route and have had quite a bit of IPR now. It didn't hurt when it was done and there is research to show that there is no resulting increase in sensitivity or cavities.
I agree that 5mm sounds quite a bit. If your dentist agrees, you can always see the initial clincheck and then send it back with alternative instructions and then compare the two (thats what I did, before agreeing the plan and paying the balance).
Trimming the teeth (IPR) could well be the best option. Talk to your dentist about the alternatives though so at least you understand why it might be the best option. For instance, they could extract teeth in the upper arch to reduce it, but then you've got to re-align the bite and the upper arch may not have enough space. I think I've also read somewhere about inclining the teeth to reduce the appearing of overjet (Angelina Jolie style). Not sure that it is a normal or planned orthodontic technique though....
I agree that 5mm sounds quite a bit. If your dentist agrees, you can always see the initial clincheck and then send it back with alternative instructions and then compare the two (thats what I did, before agreeing the plan and paying the balance).
Trimming the teeth (IPR) could well be the best option. Talk to your dentist about the alternatives though so at least you understand why it might be the best option. For instance, they could extract teeth in the upper arch to reduce it, but then you've got to re-align the bite and the upper arch may not have enough space. I think I've also read somewhere about inclining the teeth to reduce the appearing of overjet (Angelina Jolie style). Not sure that it is a normal or planned orthodontic technique though....
Initial set: 31 upper / 17 lower
1st refinement: 14 upper / 10 lower
2nd refinement: 10 upper / 5 lower
1st refinement: 14 upper / 10 lower
2nd refinement: 10 upper / 5 lower
Your case sounds more complex due to the overjet. You may want to consider an orthodontist who is an Invisalign Premier Provider for an opinion.
In my case, I was told I may require fixed braces to finish treatment if my ortho couldn't get full results with Invisalign. This type of plan may be an option for you.
In my case, I was told I may require fixed braces to finish treatment if my ortho couldn't get full results with Invisalign. This type of plan may be an option for you.
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makeupgirl45
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:11 pm
Re: Help! 1/4 inch distance between top and bottom teeth???
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I was left this way after ortho and it's horrid. Do not do it! Unless you can get that fixed. You will be sticking out a lot in your front lip. Awful looking. Be very careful!
quote="Lisa07"]Hey guys!
I am about to start using Invisalign for the first time and my dentist has just received the paperwork for my treatment.
She told me that there will be a 1/4 inch (or 5 mm) gap between my top front teeth and my bottom front teeth. To me, that seems quite large.
Has anyone else had a gap of this size after using Invisalign? I do have an overbite where my two front teeth completely cover my bottom teeth. I'm not sure if those of you without an overbite have had a gap between your top and bottom teeth after your treatment.
Thank you in advance for any feedback you may have![/quote]
I was left this way after ortho and it's horrid. Do not do it! Unless you can get that fixed. You will be sticking out a lot in your front lip. Awful looking. Be very careful!
quote="Lisa07"]Hey guys!
I am about to start using Invisalign for the first time and my dentist has just received the paperwork for my treatment.
She told me that there will be a 1/4 inch (or 5 mm) gap between my top front teeth and my bottom front teeth. To me, that seems quite large.
Has anyone else had a gap of this size after using Invisalign? I do have an overbite where my two front teeth completely cover my bottom teeth. I'm not sure if those of you without an overbite have had a gap between your top and bottom teeth after your treatment.
Thank you in advance for any feedback you may have![/quote]