Regrets?

Message

#1 Post by **adrienne** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:06 pm

I'm getting my braces off next month, but I'm not entirely happy..

Sure I have straight teeth, but now my whole face is messed up..

I started off with an expander when I was 15, it was going well until I noticed one side was expanding more than the other. The dentist just said it was normal and it would fix itself blah blah blah. He took it off then put in one of those spring expanders to try expand the other side (the less expanded one) . It worked a bit, but wasn't that helpful. I then got braces.. and tada! Straight teeth.

BUT, my face is lopsided now. My face used to be perfectly symmetrical, but now my left eye is higher than my right eye by like.. 1cm (like Shannen Doherty's except WAAAY more noticeable), my cheek bones are uneven (one is more defined than the other) and I feel so self conscious now. Braces were supposed to build up my confidence but now it's done the opposite

I wanted to be a performer, which is why I opted for braces to fix my crooked teeth, but now..... my face is horrible and I seriously have no chance

#2 Post by **kittenmaisey** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:12 pm

Gosh... I can understand your concern. That said, we all can generally believe we look worse than we do. You mentioned Shannen Doherty. She is very attractive.. not perfect however, but attractive.
I'm not down playing your current plight. The facial appearance you are experiencing, sounds similar to mine. Especially eye unevenness.I had braces in my teens.

Maybe your Orthodontist can refer you to Maxillofacial specialist.What do they think (Ortho)?

I really hope you get the results you wished for.
Regards.

#3 Post by **starzz** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:13 pm

I'm sorry this happened to you. I would research what options may be available to address the asymmetry now, such as perhaps some kind of surgery (sorry I'm no expert in this area).

Know that everyone's face is a bit asymmetrical. Also most people will not notice this as much as you do or even care!

What kind of performing do you do? Your avatar suggest dance...I don't see how this would prevent you from a pursing a dancing career?

If you haven't already done so, research make up artistry. The tricks of shading can make cheekbones look more prominent and there must be something you can do to fool the eye to thinking your eyes are more balanced in position.

Finally, congrats on making it through the braces process! Besides the cosmetic benefits, there are major health benefits for your teeth, gums, and jaws. Be sure to keep wearing your retainers and if your teeth should start to shift, go back to your ortho ASAP!

#4 Post by **adrienne** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:42 pm

Thank you so much everyone

You're been really kind

My mom will ask the ortho about a maxillofacial specialist next appointment.

starzz - I am a musical theatre performer. I love not only dance but singing and acting as well, although I would say singing is my forte. I have been in plays and musicals since childhood. Unfortunately looks are also very important in this industry and my face asymmetry might affect the career I'm striving so hard for.

xx

#5 Post by **starzz** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:29 pm

Good luck to you and do not give up your dreams! However, and I would say this to anyone talking about their career choices at any age, you must throughout your life keep reevaluating the work are doing now and the direction you are aiming for. We all grow, have new experiences, our priorities may change, the environments of our fields change etc. So trying to put the issues with your face aside for a moment when you can, think hard about if you are really committed to musical theatre or if you prefer to pursue

at a higher level (or something else whether as a performer or in another capacity in the arts, or another field entirely?) Forgive me if I am being too forward here, but it looks like a good opportunity for self reflection (no pun intended sorry!) perhaps by writing a journal.

You might search through the surgery forum as I remember some posts from people who had some asymmetries corrected in there.

#6 Post by **kirjax** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:15 pm

sorry to hear about your issue. I think my mouth got really big looking post braces but technically it did. My teeth were not straight so my smile was smaller. I just got to get used to it and having a retainer doens't help just yet since it still feels and looks like I have braces.

#7 Post by **linzyleigh** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:52 pm

I've heard of this happening before. 60 minutes did a special on it once...about how extractions can drastically change the shape of someone's face.

Go to YouTube.com and search Dr Derek Mahony 60 minutes. There's a case of identical twins having different orthodontic treatments (one with extractions, one without) and now they don't look identical! Freak stuff.

Although most times, changes in the face shape and profile are usually for the better, it's not always the case. People should be informed of this possibility upfront, whether it's a small chance or not.

Damon braces supposedly reduce the need for extractions in a lot of patients so I guess that's one way that this is becoming less of a problem.

#8 Post by **linzyleigh** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:54 pm

linzyleigh wrote:I've heard of this happening before. 60 minutes did a special on it once...about how extractions can drastically change the shape of someone's face.

I realize yours was a case of expansion, not extractions, but still. Same sort of theory applies. There are risks!

#9 Post by **kirjax** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:34 pm

The first ortho I went to suggested 4 extractions....thank god for another consult where that one proclaimed he would not take teeth out that did not need to come out! He said, "you'll have a sunken face and I don't think you'll want to have a sunken face!"

I always tell people if an ortho suggest extractions def. get a second third or hey even a fourth opinion! I don't believe that teeth have to come out it's just the "easy" fix.

#10 Post by **adrienne** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:57 am

Well I tried to prevent extractions because of the 'sunken face look' and went on with expansion, but who knew the results would be so.....