I am 31 and have had braces for 3 years and 1 month and I am not happy with the results or progress so far.
Diagnosed with an overbite, crowding and narrow arches. Wore an upper expander for 2 years and the lower for 1 year. Ceramics top and metal bottom. No extractions.
The right side of my mouth responded better to the expansion so my mouth is pushed more to the right, which is very noticeable. Finally talked to ortho about it and he said he thinks its a skeletal issue, that there wasn't much he could do and that the tooth positioner he's going to make me wear once braces come off may help some. Anyone experience this before?
And, I haven't been able to close my mouth comfortably since braces. I think i'm more embarassed about my teeth now than i was before braces. But i'm trying to keep a positive attitude until the final result, but from the way thinks looks now and how things have been going, I don't think i'm going to like it. Wish I could post pictures so you all could see what i'm talking about.
thanks for listening!
3 years and counting - RANT
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ArchWired28
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Re: 3 years and counting - RANT
Hi Sunshine101,
there was someone else with the similar issue and expander just a week or two ago... At 31, there's really not much growth going on if any, so expander is likely to have produced only dental movement. If one side of your bone jaw was bigger to begin with - there's not much an ortho can do really. What he/she can do is camouflage this to certain extent with the dental movement.
I would have suggested to not stress about it that much, but I know how stressful this could be. So try to work with your ortho on what could be done to mask this and when you can have the braces off. Good luck!
there was someone else with the similar issue and expander just a week or two ago... At 31, there's really not much growth going on if any, so expander is likely to have produced only dental movement. If one side of your bone jaw was bigger to begin with - there's not much an ortho can do really. What he/she can do is camouflage this to certain extent with the dental movement.
I would have suggested to not stress about it that much, but I know how stressful this could be. So try to work with your ortho on what could be done to mask this and when you can have the braces off. Good luck!
Had full mouth metal braces for 21 months. Debonded April 2013. Now wearing clear plastic retainers every other night.
I have no formal dental or orthodontic education. Hence, all opinions expressed by me on this forum are those of an "informed consumer" and by no means intended as an expert advice.
I have no formal dental or orthodontic education. Hence, all opinions expressed by me on this forum are those of an "informed consumer" and by no means intended as an expert advice.
Re: 3 years and counting - RANT
wow i can feel you on the long time! Im getting my braces off tomorrow!..... 4 YEARS 1 MONTH!!!!! I have had a palate expander on the top twice and had "fred", wires to work on overbite! Good luck!
Re: 3 years and counting - RANT
Hi sunshine101! I don't have any advice for you but just wanted you to know you're not alone. I've been in braces for 4 yrs and 3months. I also had expanders top and bottom for 6 months. My ortho switched me from ceramic braces to invisalign a few months ago. It's been slow going. At one point i felt my teeth looked worse after yrs of treatment vs before treatment. I think it's gotten a little better but it's definitely not where it should be. It's frustrating.hang in there.
