Getting braces worst mistake

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#16 Post by **fosterp** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:36 pm

Perhaps you should get a second opinion from another orthodontist. Someone else may feel they can effectively treat you without extractions. Me for example, one ortho thinks I need jaw surgery to effectively solve my crossbite, while another says he can do it without it. Rather than going with the first guy and then declining the jaw surgery and hope he can do the best, I would rather go with the second guy who thinks the best results would be obtained without surgery. I am sure each doctor has their own experience and strategies to deal with each situation, and some may be better experienced at fixing crowding without extractions than others.

#17 Post by **drrick** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:45 pm

evilnel wrote: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?

Now that is a good post!

#18 Post by **ceramicmouth** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 3:23 pm

Know how you're feeling.

Visited the ortho yesterday for my 4th check-up after 8 months in braces. He tells me I need the have 4 pre-molars removed cause my teeth are 'splaying'?. Wasn't too impressed as I had said from the outset to remove teeth if necessary, but he said I probably would'nt need extractions!!!!

I'm not happy having wasted 8 months of treatment, but will get over it...........could be worse.

Getting a second opinion might be a good idea.

Anyway, keep the chin up.............no pun intended, sorry.

#19 Post by **evilnel** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:04 pm

Thanks, drrick! It took a while to come to terms with this, but the benefits of having a functional bite and aesthetic improvement of the teeth (even if they aren't 'perfect') are well worth any changes, I think.

#20 Post by **ANGELFLUTTER** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:21 am

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?

Now that is a good post!
I SECOND THAT !!!!!

#21 Post by b » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:43 pm

Chapincita18 wrote: 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 am sorry, I didnt mean to come across as rude at all. I just wanted you to think about what you feel looks worse and decide the route you want to go. I decided that braces weren't going to make me feel as self concious as the way my teeth do, So I got braces. You should decide if you like your teeth better now, or how they will look whith extractions.

#22 Post by **Angelique** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:19 am

I'm going to have my bicuspid teeth extracted very soon from my bottom jaw, and I've already extracted my upper canines (they were terribly impacted and I visited 3 surgeons, and all said that it would be safe to say that there was 0% of them ever coming down, even with surgery.)

I'm pretty upset about never going to be able to have a beautiful smile (canines are pretty important in that aspect). I know its the only way to go though- My teeth are slightly crowded and I need more space, and I basically can't expand my jaw because I'm missing my canines and doing that would cause my lower jaw to protrude. I have actually done expansion before (without surgery), when they thought there would be a chance for my upper canines to come down, and it really does hurt.

You have to be prepared for your face to change.

#23 Post by **khrystal1968** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:26 am

Well my face certainly changed. During the first 10 months in braces prior extraction, my face changed a little, it was very subtle. That did not bother me one bit. What did bother me was post extraction. My face in my opinion is wrecked, and i got NO warning about it. Last night I visited my hair salon to get a cut and color, and my stylist asked me "why is one side of your face thinner than the other?" I showed her my drivers license pic from last year she says "oh my God". My glasses even fall off now. That old ortho maimed me, in my opinion.

#24 Post by **Bekah** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:51 am

I had 4 teeth extracted about a year ago. I am nearing the end of my treatment and originally thought my ortho was crazy because I didn't understand how pulling teeth could help my profile.

I spoke to my normal dentist who assured me that the orthodontist was correct. I seriously debated and came to the conclusion that the braces themselves would "rearrange" my face a little anyway and that I wanted my teeth fixed more than I was worried about my profile! I did the extractions and the major changes I have seen is 1. I have an actual chin for the first time in my life! and 2. My face has thinned out a little. However the thinning I can't associate with the extractions due to the fact that I have lost about 20 pounds since getting them on!

I think if you don't trust your orthodontist it would be wise to go to a few consultations and see if you can find one you really trust. If not I would talk to the one you have and seriously ask him if there is anything that can be done for you. If not, I would get them off instead of wasting both your time and that of your orthodontist. Maybe they will refund some of your money.

#25 Post by **missann** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 4:08 am

drrick wrote:
evilnel wrote: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?
Now that is a good post!

very good!

#26 Post by **missann** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 4:09 am

Chapincita18 what was your decission finally?

#27 Post by **ashesgap** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 7:04 am

missann wrote:Chapincita18 what was your decission finally?

I found her thread cause i wanted to know too.... http://archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.p ... ht=#330713

#28 Post by **Kirish** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 2:51 am

Chapincita18 wrote: 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 have no clue what you're talking about. Bicupsid removal is probably one of the most common strategies to solve crowded teeth. Millions have done this over the world with great success.

Everything you wrote here, sentence by sentence, is simply not true. I have no idea where did you come with those conclusions.

"By jacked up I mean that their faces just dont look right."

That doesn't really say a lot.

"They look like they have not enough teeth in their mouths."

If your jaw is narrow, not matter what you'll do, you won't have that "lot's of teeth" smile. Period. If that's what you're after I think your only option is SARPE surgery (assuming we talk about upper jaw).

If he's extracting your wisdom teeth in order to take everything back, at the end you are going to look exactly like you would have looked if you just took the bicupsids out, your jaw remains as narrow as it was, and you definitely won't show more teeth in comparison to taking the bicupsids out. The only difference is that it's going to take much much longer to do it through the wisdom teeth.

"The two bicuspids balance the smile out in my opinion"

It's good you added "in my opinion". When we combine it with the fact that you have zero knowledge or experience with orthodontics, your words don't have much meaning.

"Also, they have creases on the sides of their mouths, and their lips look flat."

I don't have a freaking clue what you're talking about. There is no reason on earth why bicupsid extractions should lead to these things under the hands of a good orthodontist.

"Their teeth dont stick out like a beautiful smile, they are too much retracted into their mouths and it just doesnt look good"

Again, how much your front teeth will stick out is totally up to your orthodontist to decide. The space created by the bicupsid extraction doesn't have to be filled just by taking your front teeth backwards, it can also be filled by taking the molars forward. Also, who said front teeth need to stick out ?, they need to be straight. If they are retracted too much backward it's the fault of the orthodontist.

Anyway, I'm sorry for the offensive post, but you obviously have not clue about what you're talking, and I needed to point that out so you won't scare other people contemplating bicupsid extraction to correct their overcrowded teeth.

#29 Post by **missann** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:42 am

great explanation Kirish, you helped me a lot!