I need help please can someone take the trouble to read post

[uglysmile78]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45413568@N08/4164939900/
I'm 31 and I've just decided I've finally got to sort my smile out. All I do is read information on this site and I finally joined tonight.

I have narrow upper jaw due to genetics and made worse by thumb sucking all my life. When I smile you can't see many teeth. I look so ugly because it makes my chin stick out like a witches and my profile is scary.


I also have a big lower jaw and chin. I think its genetics as mum is the same.
I think I may have a skeletal class 3 malocussion but my bottom teeth are actually slanted way back under my top teeth so I dont know what this is called. I don't know if this is correct but I reakon the thumb sucking has sort of helped my underbite as without it the bottom teeth slanting backward the underbite would look so much worse as they would be straight.

I've been to an orthodontist who said he could improve width of upper arch slightly using Damon braces. I said i was reluctant to fix the lower arch as I reakon it would emphasise my underbite but he didnt seem bothered.Also I just don't understand how Damon can expand arches when palatal bone is fused.

I basically want to know if my problem is the narrow arch/slanted bottom teeth/big chin/skeletal tho not teeth underbite or everything!!Despite searching for so long Ive not seen anyone who has the same problems as me.
Should I cosmetically fix with veneers/get the brace or would it have to be surgery or all 3?
I'd appreciate any advise whatsoever

Thanks for reading

[bb]

Are you saying that if your teeth were not slanted i.e. straight up and down, you would have an underbite?

[LB]

Hi there. I'm not sure about the specifics of your case, but I would most certainly recommend you have consultations with a couple more orthodontists. Sounds like you still have a lot of questions you need answers to and they are the experts. You have to be totally confident before you go into this. Good luck in your research and congrats on taking the plunge. I started my braces journey in my late 30's and have no regrets.

[uglysmile78]

I think if my bottom teeth were straight my chin would look worse from front but better from side as I would't have the witches chin indent where teeth currently slant backwards. I'm hoping someone who has a smile similar to be could help me. I want as many opinions as possible, only problem is they are £ 100 a go! I think I am unable to be helped possibly without surgery which I'm not sure I can go through. Thankyou

[TumbleDryLow]

You have lots of questions that only an orthodontist can answer. That said, I would NOT use veneers to cover over the problem--but that's just me. I would rather go the braces route and get things as structurally correct as possible.

You really should see a few more doctors. Go in with a list of questions and a pen to write down their answers. Only then can you make an informed decision and go forward.

[drrick]

I basically want to know if my problem is the narrow arch/slanted bottom teeth/big chin/skeletal tho not teeth underbite or everything!!

It is probably all of the above.
Genetic class 3. MOst likely the main reason you do not have an underbite with the teeth is d/t the thumbsucking.

Where you go from here will depend on the goals you want to achives with your tx.

[stokie66]

not sure what the problem is your smile looks ok to me in that photo maybe not perfect but still better tan mine i would be happy with them teeth

[uglysmile78]

[quote
It is probably all of the above.
Genetic class 3. MOst likely the main reason you do not have an underbite with the teeth is d/t the thumbsucking.


In your opinion would lower arch braces to straighten slanting teeth make my underbite look worse then? I think it would but ortho didn't seem to . I wonder if slightly widening top arch and having a chin reduction would help.I want as good a result as possible but not sure I can actually do the surgery route.
Thanks

[drrick]

It is impossible to tell from one picture but it is possible that aligning the lower teeth at the appropriate angles when your lower jaw is forward relative to the upper could give you an anteror crossbite (underbite)

[cathykay]

I think I may have a skeletal class 3 malocussion but my bottom teeth are actually slanted way back under my top teeth so I dont know what this is called. I don't know if this is correct but I reakon the thumb sucking has sort of helped my underbite as without it the bottom teeth slanting backward the underbite would look so much worse as they would be straight.

I was diagnosed with an underbite. When I went for my consultation, my orthodontist said that my teeth had compensated for the underbite. It sounds like that's what your teeth did; they slanted back so that you could have a bite. After I got my braces on and my teeth began to straighten out, there was a point where my underbite became noticeable because my teeth were edge-to-edge, with the bottom teeth in front of the top.

I opted not to have surgery because my orthodontist believes he can give me the results I'm looking for without the surgery, and so far, I am very happy with my progress. I had two teeth extracted to create room for my bottom teeth to straighten and my orthodontist is using elastics to slant my bottom teeth slightly backwards. If your teeth are currently slanted back and if they were not, you believe your underbite would be much worse (more than edge-to-edge) it's possible that you might need surgery to get the results you are seeking.

However, I am obviously not an orthodontist so you definitely need to get a professional opinion (or two, or three - however many you want) before you know what the deal is. It would be nice to see a picture of your profile since that is what you are most concerned with.

[uglysmile78]

This is a profile pic of me as best as I can find without taking a new one.This site has been so helpful thanks so much.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/45413568@N ... otostream/

wish i knew how to add photos straight onto text