Getting braces worst mistake

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#1 Post by **Chapincita18** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:27 am

Hi Everyone, I think I just need to vent. I know nobody can really give me any advice, but this looks like the right place to complain for a minute.

I have been in braces for 8 months now. There has been absolutely zero improvement. The dr. wanted me to get first bicuspid extractions because I have severe crowding in the front. but I told him no because I dont want to look terrible for the rest of my life. I only know two people who had extractions like that and their teeth are straight but their mouths look JACKED UP. I can definitely tell. So i said no.

He said fine then we would get space from the back. He wants me to get my wisdom tooth extracted so he can start pulling teeth BACK. He wants me to go to a special surgeon to get the extraction, THEN he says I have to wait a few months for it to heal...THEN he says that I have to go to another specialist to put pins or anchors.

My teeth are basically just sitting doing nothing untill all this gets done. And the way things are going, it wont ever get done.

I really wish I never got braces in the first place.

I'm a really pretty girl and I feel that my teeth are holding me back in so many aspects of my life. I cannot feel truly happy untill I have a nice smile, but it looks like I will never have that.

I thought getting braces was a good thing, but it has turned out to be the worst thing I could have ever done and the most wasted money I have ever spent.

I just wanted to share my ordeal and my experience.

I just want to knock out my teeth and get dentures.

#2 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:59 am

I'm really sorry. I feel the absolute frustration in your post. Unfortunately if you have crowding then you need to create space in order to alleviate it. There are very few ways of creating space. Expansion (if you are an adult this usually requires surgery) or extraction of teeth are pretty much the only options. Without space to move into, your teeth have nowhere to go and will just sit there--as yours are. If you absolutely refuse to have the bicuspids removed, then I think you just need to accept the fact that your treatment will go on a little longer then expected. I think if you just stick it out and continue on doing as the ortho suggested you will be happy that you did. You need to take a deep breath, calm down, and know that this will all be worth it in the end.

I don't know what you mean by "jacked up". For what it's worth I (as well as lots of other people here) have gotten bicuspids extracted and been extremely happy with the results. I think I look heaps better for having them removed. But it's your face and your mouth and you need to do what you feel comfortable with. Best wishes.

#3 Post by **Chapincita18** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:02 am

Hey thanks for your reply, it does make me feel a little better. I've been crying all morning.

By jacked up I mean that their faces just dont look right. They look like they have not enough teeth in their mouths. The two bicuspids balance the smile out in my opinion. Also, they have creases on the sides of their mouths, and their lips look flat. Their teeth dont stick out like a beautiful smile, they are too much retracted into their mouths and it just doesnt look good.

I am very detail oriented, especially when it comes to my face. Maybe I'm just really vain, but I'm at that age where any appearance of any lines, wrinkles, or loose skin will be enough to give me a heart attack. Also, theirs the possibility that the gaps from the extractions may

I mean, I dont only know about 3 people who had the same extractions, but untill the Dr. can provide me with proof and pictures that the extractions can provide beatiful results, I'm not getting them pulled. He has yet to provide me with any, and he even admits that the face can change he's not sure. I love my face, its perfect the way it is. Its just my teeth that I hate.

I am just so unhappy. Its ruining my life. I started dating this guy who isnt at all bothered by my teeth, but I'M bothered by them and I cant be happy like him. He's so happy cause we're in a new relationship, but I just am not happy, so I'm thinking of just ending things. I dont want to burden him with my unhappiness.

The thing that bothers me the most is that I think I'm so pretty but when I smile, the illusion is ruined.

The is going to sound really elementary school, but yesterday a really pretty girl with perfect teeth came up to me to to talk to me about some guy who wanted to know my name. Of course its flattering, but she looked at my teeth the whole time, she probably went back to the guy and said "she has really bad teeth". And to top it off that very same day a guy who is mentally handicapped asked me why my teeth were so messed up.

I'm sorry for being so down, I'm usually a really positive person, but its so much for me to handle. I cant take this waiting to be beautiful so I can live my life how I want.

#4 Post by **evilnel** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:15 am

Did you get several opinions on the extractions? If others have suggested it, it may truly be the best route. I know some people have had facial changes, some negative, but many people have had fine results. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You never hear about the ones where extraction was the best, at least not often. However, if you look at the mod Lynn's pictures, you can see she has a beautiful smile which was achieved via extractions. So I would seriously consider listening to your ortho. Likely, you would have had more positive changes already if you had done it. I understand your wariness, but your ortho should know what he or she is doing better than you. Whenever I start getting it in my head to be a pain in the backside, I think, no, they went to school for like 8 years for this.

Another option might be IPR, so you might discuss that. It is too bad you haven't had much progress, but I think people have such a negative idea about removing teeth even though sometimes it's necessary. Also, try looking at before and after pictures. Maybe you have had progress but you just can't see it because you've been watching the changes. Finally, if it's an issue of trust with your ortho, maybe it's time to see somebody else. Good luck.

#5 Post by **drrick** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:35 am

With respect, you kind of tied the dr's hands a bit by not allowing him/her to tx the case in the way he/she felt appropriate. It is much harder and slower to get space from the back then the front so you are gonna have to wait it out.

#6 Post by **Chapincita18** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:11 am

I did get several second opinions and all the docs said that although extractions were not "wrong", they didnt recommend it because their were other ways to go about it, and that they also didnt recommend it because I was still young, and the extractions would flatten my profile.

I went to my doc because lots of people recommended him and he went to Northwestern. But I think he has not a clue as to what I want.

And I did look at Lynn's pictures a few months ago when I was debating extractions. And while she is beautiful and it seems that she is happy with her results, and I mean absolutely no disrespect in saying this, but I dont like the way her teeth look. I mean, I can tell she had teeth extracted and I just dont want that kind of look.

#7 Post by b » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:21 am

If you really feel like you are going to look that terrible with extractions, maybe you need to decide what looks worse to you. your teeth how they are now, or how they will be if they become "jacked up".

#8 Post by **braceface418** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:49 am

I'm a bit curious -- how old are you? If you're young enough, perhaps they could try expansion without surgery? Not that I know what is appropriate, you just have a little more flexibility with treatment when you're younger.

#9 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:50 am

Have you brought up the idea of expansion with your ortho? You don't mention how old you are--if you are and adult with already fused palatal bones this may require jaw surgery. Is this something you are willing to consider/go through?

#10 Post by **braceface418** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:52 am

Oh, and the alternative to using anchor devices is headgear if you really don't want to wait the extra few months. That said, if you don't wear headgear as suggested, you're probably going to add those extra few months on to your treatment time. I imagine they can't put in the TADs while the extraction site is still healing because the two would be close together.

#11 Post by **drrick** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:10 pm

Extraction do not automatically destroy profiles.

When done in the right situations and with proper mechanics they usually HELP the profile.

TADS are generally not the best choice for distalizing either.

#12 Post by **Chapincita18** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:14 pm

Well, I'm definitely not that young. I'm 28.

This is just an ordeal that I'm going to have to go through myself. I dont have anybody to help me along with this decision.

Oh, and someone brought up how I like my teeth now or when they are "jacked up" due to extractions. I dont know how rude you were meant to be, but I will take in it a light in which you were trying to help.

I dont think the way that alot of people expect me to think. Yes it would be an improvement, but would they be the best possible results I can ever hope to achieve. I want a perfect mouth and for my face to stay exactly how it is. I dont want any bone change because I love my face. I am talking about facial aesthetics, thats what I'm most worried about.

#13 Post by **khrystal1968** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:23 pm

I sent you a PM did you get it?

#14 Post by **braceface418** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:47 pm

I guess since you're 28, run of the mill expansion probably won't work. Even with expansion though, I'd imagine there would be some change, either positive or negative.

Based on the parameters you want to stay within, what your ortho suggested seems like a decent compromise. And if having all of your teeth really does make you happy, an extra four months of waiting for your mouth to heal doesn't seem so bad.

Also, drrick, I tend to use the term TAD as a substitute term for the posts that are attached to a plate and placed underneath the gum tissue. I understand that the posts attached to the plates are used in the back to retract molars, I just default to the term TAD. Apologies for any confusion.

#15 Post by **evilnel** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:14 pm

Considering the teeth are in the bone, and the bone is what holds the face up, having braces and expecting absolutely no facial changes is kind of silly. I really like my face too. I think it's beautiful as is, but I understand that improving my teeth/bite is going to change my face in some small ways, and you have to decide if you would rather deal with poor teeth or with some facial changes. Personally, I have been self-conscious about my teeth all my life, and even though I am happy with my face, I think it's worth it. I also assume that my orthodontist knows what he is doing and that he will make 1.) the smallest amount of facial changes possible and 2.) the changes will overall improve my appearance. Again, this sounds to me like an issue of trust and realistic expectations. The teeth aren't floating in your head--they are connected to muscles, bones, and joints, and changes in the teeth WILL affect the rest of your face, even if it's in barely noticeable ways. It's par for the course. If you don't trust your orthodontist to make these changes to improve your overall appearance, maybe you should find a new one.

Also, keep in mind that your face is going to change naturally with age, and having healthy teeth is going to support retention of your face, while having unhealthy teeth will be a detriment as you age. You aren't going to look like you do now forever, so does it matter if you go through some minute changes now in order to improve your appearance and functionality later?