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I'm having one of those "really frustrated, can't wait to be done with braces" days. I decided to look at my previous posts and saw that I posted back in april that my ortho stopped the closing loops and wanted to work on some leveling. It's almost a year later and my teeth are still slanted. The midline is better but the overall appearance still sucks. I have been in braces for 3 yrs and 7 mths. Come the beginning of June, it'll be 4 years. My original estimate was 2 years and I know that times can run over, but this is crazy. My ortho says my upper teeth move slowly. I get that but it doesn't make me feel much better. I follow everything the ortho says to do, go to my dentist regularly and I haven't missed one appointment. I still have gaps to close, which aren't really being worked on right now (two gaps in the front that were naturally there and a small gap from an extraction that happened over 2 yrs ago ). I have a power chain on the one side where the extraction gap is but powerchains are extremely slow to work for me on that side and I think it's just kinda there to keep the gap from reopening. I know all cases are different but it seems like my ortho really takes a long time to change up techniques. She used powerchains forever (maybe a yr and half or longer) before trying closing loops even though the gap wasn't really closing much with the chains. I read posts where people have gotten closing loops and springs alot earlier than I did. I'm totally bummed and just ranting on here. It's hard to see so many people finish up their treatment within 2 to 2.5 yrs and I'm still stuck just waiting. No offense everyone. I'm happy for you but so frustrated with having to wait
This is also today. My natural smile. My smile is slanting down on the right side of the pic. I also have a gummy smile which makes it worse. Not sure if that one tooth is actually lower or if its the gum line.
Anyway, I really don't see any drastic differences goin on here. Like I said, the midline is a little better.
Thanks for the reply drgnchsr36. I've brought it up to her but it seems like she just avoids giving me a time frame by telling me what she's working on. I'm under the impression that she has no clue when I can expect to be done. It's not like I bring it up often either. I can't even remember the last time I bothered asking. I am tempted to ask at my next appointment but I'm pretty sure she'll just tell me what she is working on
Try and ask for some specifics. Or an estimate. Doesn't have to be spot on, just a general idea. I'm sure this is pretty normal for orthos to answer.. I think most patients want to know how much longer. It's been awhile, so I'm assuming she has some sort of idea of time frame.
Does the uneven smile from left to right really bother you that much? I have that same issue and it doesn't bother me at all. Most certainly not badly enough to extend my treatment close to two years. Why don't you ask your ortho to work on your gaps and then get rid of the braces. Afterward you can get some gum contouring or something to make your smile more level. Just my opinion, but like I said, mine bothers me very little. No way I would wear braces over 2-2.5 years. Good luck.
Have you had elastics at all? When I started elastics my teeth slanted to the right side. It has now leveled out.
Can you possibly get another consultation from a different ortho? Depending on what your issues are, almost 4 years sounds a bit extreme to me. That is double your estimate time. Something seems off to me. Ask her what exactly still needs to be "fixed."
I would tell her you are not happy that you are going on 4 years and that you may be interested in seeking another opinion. Is she a new ortho, and older ortho who isn't practicing the latest technology...what is the deal?
One of my co workers told me that she had braces on for 5 years...shortly after the 5 year mark she decided to take them off because they weren't getting any better. She has a very slight overbite but you everything else looks great.
I've been in elastics on and off throughout my treatment and I wore them 24/7. I think that's why my teeth are slanted now. The slant does bother me. It's something that has occured as a result of treatment and I don't like how it looks. I've already paid off my braces, expended the orthodontic coverage in my insurance, and my ortho said she's not billing me since its not my fault the treatment has run over. My ortho's website says she has been in practice for 25 yr. If she told me I would be done this summer, I would be ecstatic but I can tell that's not going to happen.
I feel the same as you. My estimated treatment was 2 years and I've been wearing them for 4.5 now-but I had to switch orthos during treatment. I'm working on closing one last extraction gap and my ortho has me coming in every two weeks instead of 4. I would see if you can come in more frequently for adjustments. You can another consultation but I would not recommended switching orthodontists this late in your treatment.
WOW 4 years Peach I feel sooooo sorry for you. I am just at 8 weeks and the thought of 2.5 years is crazy, let alone 4 years OMG.
Hang in there , I think everyone has given you a lot of great advice here already. I would ask your ortho how long? and specifically ask why it is not moving and will it ever move?? and if you can do anything different to get it to move and that ideally you would like to be debraced by this summer and have the smile you want.
I do think your teeth and smile look great. I personally am looking for improvement not perfection so as long as it it close enough I don't think I could handle extra time.
Good luck, stay strong!!!
34 years old, 2nd timer, Original sentence 2.5 years - Updated to about 20 months
Braced December 16th , 2010
Debrace Date August 22, 2012
). I have a power chain on the one side where the extraction gap is but powerchains are extremely slow to work for me on that side and I think it's just kinda there to keep the gap from reopening. I know all cases are different but it seems like my ortho really takes a long time to change up techniques. She used powerchains forever (maybe a yr and half or longer) before trying closing loops even though the gap wasn't really closing much with the chains. I read posts where people have gotten closing loops and springs alot earlier than I did. I'm totally bummed and just ranting on here. It's hard to see so many people finish up their treatment within 2 to 2.5 yrs and I'm still stuck just waiting. No offense everyone. I'm happy for you but so frustrated with having to wait 
