Missing laterals, canines to sub, but ortho is scaring me

[alwayshungry]

Hi,

I just went in for my 5th adjustment today and my ortho put power chains to close out the two extraction-caused gaps in my lower teeth.

I asked about the gaps in my upper teeth, and he said that the treatment there would be trickier (Earlier in life some dentist took out my permanent lateral teeth and left me with two gaping holes).

He didn't go into full detail, but started off by telling me that he would have to consult with the senior orthodontist before actually doing anything. His concern included "retraction" of certain teeth--he didn't expound on it.

From what he said, he was worried about leaving me with just my two front teeth and bringing back the teeth adjacent to my front teeth.

So I'm just wondering what it is that I should expect...for now I am totally bummed because I don't think I could socialize with that kind of upper tooth arrangement, and I'm already conscious enough as it is! Implants were not considered in my case because they said that there wasn't enough space on either side for them to fit.

Please help,

AlwaysHungry