Getting Braces?

[andi3]

Hi all! I am new to the board and looking forward to getting to know everyone (virtually).

A little about me... I am 21 years old and have never had orthodontic treatment. I had a dentist appointment earlier this week with a new dentist (my old one retired) and he was shocked to learn that I've never been treated. Apparently I have a significant overbite/overjet (he used terminology... bear with me while I google it... Class 2 Division 2?) and this could lead to a good amount of wear on my teeth (I was told it already has a little). I was shocked because my teeth are pretty straight with some small crowding. He was pretty adamant that I look into treatment options.

I have a consult set up for next week and am in the process of scheduling some others but am interested in learning from the veterans of this board/docs more about this in the meanwhile.

a) What kind of braces and appliances are required?
b) Are surgery/extractions necessary?
c) How long does treatment usually take?

I know most of you are not professionals but I am interested in learning more about this since I was caught quite off-guard. Below are some pictures of my teeth. What do you think? Is this something I should pursue? What am I looking at in terms of treatment options would you guess?

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9733/dsc00052ov.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6316/dsc00064nm.jpg

http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/362/dsc00090d.jpg

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/8594/dsc00056ay.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/5483/dsc00084sk.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6097/dsc02970h.jpg

Best, Andi

[plugnickel69]

To andi3: Saw your post on another topic. Get the three consults, then reconsider your options depending upon what they say. But get at least three. Good luck!

[sadpanda]

Hi -

Like you said, we're not professionals, but I can give you my opinion. You have an overbite and and overjet which look a lot like my overbite and overjet although your teeth are straighter and my bite is probably deeper. It looks like your teeth align pretty well and they look very healthy. I'd say that you wouldn't need surgery or extractions. You'd probably need upper and lower braces, and probably elastics, but I might be biased because that's what I have and I think your teeth look like mine. The average for treatment with braces is 18-24 months, but some people get their braces off sooner and some wear them past two years. I thought my problems with my bite and teeth were so obvious. I was pretty embarrassed about my top teeth sticking out so far past my bottom ones that no one could see, but my dentist never recommended braces (except when I was a kid, and my parents said no). I knew I needed them, but he said I should see an orthodontist only if I wanted to. When I began the process (at 29), I checked out a few orthos, who all said the same thing and recommended upper and lower braces, so it was easy to pic the one I liked best. They also indicated a bunch of other problems I had that I wasn't exactly aware of, but I see them clearly now. My bite hasn't been corrected yet (it's only been 5 months), so I still look a little funny. It looks like I have just top braces because the teeth cover my bottom braces when I smile or bite down. I'm sure this is more than you asked for. Anyway, good luck with everything. I definitely don't think that your teeth are so shocking that a dentist should have pointed it out to you a long time ago. They actually look pretty nice and I think the average person wouldn't look at you and secretly think that you desperately needed braces. They'd be a good idea to fix your bite and all, but don't let that dentist make you think you'll fail in life or something if you don't get your teeth fixed.

[andi3]

Any other advice?

[lilone]

I don't have any advice because I don't know much... being pretty much a newbie to all of this. But I can tell you that you have lovely teeth! The overjet seems to be visible on one side but I don't really notice it very much on the other. I almost wonder if the deep bite was corrected whether the jaw would line up more naturally automatically since the premolars seems to be touching at their peaks instead of sitting against each other. It makes me wonder if you are unable to use your natural bite due to the deep bite. But again....I know NOTHING. Pure speculation. I probably shouldn't have replied but I know that not many others have yet and sometimes it is good to hear from others regardless of what they really know;P

[andi3]

No problem - any advice/opinion is really appreciated and helpful!

[rhomboid]

You definitely have a bit of both an overbite and overjet with very mild crowding, but generally nice teeth. A nice smile just as is, but a gorgeous smile with wider arches after treatment. My unprofessional opinion.

[hopeful2011]

I think your teeth look fine. The average person wouldn't notice anything about it, but I can see how an orthodontist would say you have a slight overbite. I have one as well :).