Closing a large diastema

[Glandyover]

Hi Jem,
My journey only began recently after I had two extractions at the beginning of the summer. I can certainly understand why you wanted to put it off, though. Depending on what the second orthodontist tells me on Friday, I may just go ahead and decide to do it sooner rather than later. But, I'm very nervous about everything. I've never had any problems with my teeth before so this is a whole new experience for me. I'm also very unhappy about the prospect of having to put about $11,000 into my mouth ($6,500 for braces and then another $4,000 for two bridges). So, if the second orthodontist tells me he can close the spaces left behind from the two extractions, then I am going to go with him. My understanding is that Damon brackets are more expensive than traditional brackets but it will be worth it if it ends up saving me $4,000 for bridge restorations.

Damon is more expensive (and ceramic are an additional cost). Orthodontists should be able to do the same thing with your teeth no matter the type of brackets used. The cost is what drove me toward traditional metal (well, that and not caring if people notice I have braces.)

[Dee17]

Yeah, I can certainly relate to the issue of the cost. I live on a small fixed monthly income and even though I will only have to make monthly instalments of about $200.00 each month, it is a substantial amount of money for me. I am, therefore, going to have to opt for traditional metal brackets. I am just hoping that they will not be too noticeable. I really have no idea what I am going to look like in braces. My son said, "Oh, Mom, you're going to look just like a teenager!" Somehow I don't think that will be true but we shall see.
I've also pretty much ruled out ceramic braces because everything I've read about them talks about how big and bulky they are. I really don't think I could handle having something like that in my mouth for two years so maybe it's best that I really can't afford them anyway!

[nikkibabie19]

Hi Dee! Jus checking in.

How have you been? Have you had your consult yet? Made a decision?

Well just to inform you a bit. After 2months and 8days in power chains to close my large diastema and other gaps between my front teeth. They are closed and finally off! Yay.
I will get them back on at another point to close the spaces that relocated on the sides of my front 4. But for now they are off.

Well hope 2 hear from u soon. I will update my 2nd post tomorrow with pics for u 2 see.

Chao

[Dee17]

Hi Nikki,
That is wonderful news. I am so happy for you. Does that mean that you'll be getting your braces off sooner than you originally thought you would?
I am going for my second consultation today. Am going to ask him about whether or not he thinks he can close the spaces left behind by the two extractions which started this whole mess. The first orthodontist said he would not be able to do so (even using TADs and powerchains -- so I was quite disappointed). I had been back to see my regular dentist and asked him how much it would cost for the two bridges. $4,000.00!!!! I would've fallen onto the floor if I hadn't been sitting in his reclining chair! So, I really can't afford to spend $10,000.00 on my mouth.
The other bit of news is that I've decided NOT to wait until February to start my treatment. This was partly because of your earlier comment but also because I had a meeting with a social worker I've been seeing for the past few years and he was strongly encouraging me to stop trying to put off the inevitable. He said, "The sooner you start, the sooner you'll finish." And you now what? he's right. So, I'm going to probably get them put on towards the end of October. Oh joy. I just hope it's not too painful.
I can't wait to see your new pictures!

[nikkibabie19]

Oh Dee that's great news that you decided to start sooner.

I have bite issues other than the spacing so I don't know how far along I am in the whole process. All I can tell you about is the changes that I see. ℓσℓ. So I can't tell u if i'll be out the braces sooner. But I sure hope so.

I will ask my ortho next month at my 4th adjustment.

I hope this next ortho will be able to close the spaces. I really don't kno why The 1st one cudnt do it? but I'm wishing you success with this new one.

Keep us informed.

[Dee17]

Hi Nikki,
I'm kind of starting to wonder now why the first orthodontist I saw told me I would need to wear my braces for two years. As far as I know, I don't have any other issues with my teeth except for the space. Anyway, I'll see what this guy has to say today. I'llpost an update after I get home. Take care!

[nikkibabie19]

well i tort it was just my gap too. But apparently i have bite issues....

So prob to us because we just look at the aesthetics we would just see the imperfections with how it looks but orthos see the other problems like with the jaw and teeth alignment and bite issues...

Oh i posted those pics i was talking about. If you want to take a look its in the 2nd link in my signature.

Oh and how did the 2nd consult go?

[Hedious]

Is it too dangerous to move one tooth the other side by stuffing little pieces of paper between the teeth?

[nikkibabie19]

It is dangerous in that you can cause more harm than help.

Unless ur a dentist or ortho. You can be causing more work for ur ortho bcuz it may look to be helping from our perspective but in reality it cud be harming our whole braces timeline and even ur bite and other things could come into play.
Plus there is oral hygiene involved. I dont know how sanitary paper can be in ur mouth especially with eating etc....

Whichever tooth u are concerned about just bring it to the attention of ur ortho the next visit.

[Dee17]

Why would you want to do that to begin with? I don't understand.

[Dee17]

I was finally able to upload some photos on photobucket. They are at this link, if you're interested.
http://s1155.photobucket.com/albums/p55 ... view_click

[Angel269]

Hi Dee

Thanks for uploading your pictures-musn't have been easy, wasn't for me.

At least your diastema is more upright-my teeth were flared out in addition to the diastema.

I have my next adjustment in 2 weeks (at that point would have been 5 weeks since my last adjustment!) I am desperate to get a stronger (& fresh) powerchain.

[Dee17]

Hi Angel,
Only one of my teeth is flared and only slightly. As I think I said before I have always had very straight teeth. I actually never had any problems with my teeth until recently. I just hope the periodontist doesn't tell me I need a bone graft because then I will probably have to wait 5 or 6 months before I can get my braces put on. I'm actually quite anxious to get the whole process started. My anxiety levels seem to have leveled off for the most part and I've been sleeping relatively well. Only the odd night waking up with anxiety. I expect that trend will continue so that by the time I actually get my braces put on (October 25), I should be very relaxed about it. I hope!
I know you are anxious to get a new powerchain put on. Me? I'm dreading having to have one of those because I'm worried that it will hurt. I hope your next adjustment goes well.
I actually didn't have any problems uploading my photos from the site. I know they're not the best photos, they were scanned from a print out that my orthodontist gave me, not from digital photos. I don't have a digital camera.

[batwing]

Hi Angel,
Only one of my teeth is flared and only slightly. As I think I said before I have always had very straight teeth. I actually never had any problems with my teeth until recently. I just hope the periodontist doesn't tell me I need a bone graft because then I will probably have to wait 5 or 6 months before I can get my braces put on. I'm actually quite anxious to get the whole process started. My anxiety levels seem to have leveled off for the most part and I've been sleeping relatively well. Only the odd night waking up with anxiety. I expect that trend will continue so that by the time I actually get my braces put on (October 25), I should be very relaxed about it. I hope!
I know you are anxious to get a new powerchain put on. Me? I'm dreading having to have one of those because I'm worried that it will hurt. I hope your next adjustment goes well.
I actually didn't have any problems uploading my photos from the site. I know they're not the best photos, they were scanned from a print out that my orthodontist gave me, not from digital photos. I don't have a digital camera.

I know when you are anxious about something, everyone telling you it's not so bad doesn't help... but I really want to tell you the powerchain really isn't so bad!

I have had one since June on my six top front teeth. Totally honest, days two through four sucked. They sucked really bad. But ever since they've been fine, and even when I get adjusted and a new powerchain put on, it's not so bad.

I had a fairly large gap on my left side, I'm guessing 8-9mm, from an extraction. Previously, I had an extraction on the other side that closed on its own. As of today I would estimate it at 4mm, and it's taken about 3 months to make that progress. I am SO happy with the progress I've seen, and feel so much better about myself, despite the gap that remains and my goofy looking braces. I even had my vows renewed last month (and had pictures taken of my big, gap toothed smile) AND went to my high school reunion a few weeks ago. Nobody looked at me funny, or even asked about the braces or gap.

You won't regret it, I promise!

[Dee17]

Hi Batwing,
Thanks for your message. It is very reassuring for me to get these posts. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see how it all works out for me. I am almost certain that my orthodontist is going to insist on putting a powerchain on my teeth because I have a fairly large gap between my two front teeth. I am going to ask him if he can close it by just using rubber bands but I'm pretty sure he'll say he can't. So, I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around all of this. At this point, I am just ready to get the process started and wish I didn't have to wait until the end of October which is when I am scheduled to get my braces put on.
On another note, I went to see the periodontist yesterday and he told me that I will not need a bone graft and I am SO relieved. He also said that I don't have any gingivitis which was also another huge relief. I've been diabetic for more than 25 years and I know that diabetics are prone to gingivitis so it was something I was worried about. He DID say, though that both of my front teeth are somewhat lose (and wasn't sure why that would be the case). Now I guess I have to worry that once I actually have my braces put on that they are going to pull my teeth out of my jaw. That can't really happen, can it?