Just got my braces off and my teeth seem to flare out?

[mmkay]

Two thoughts pop into my mind:
1) That looks like a before picture.
2) Your orthodontist is an incompetent [insert expletive]

[mmkay]

As a judge of success starting point by itself is irrelevant - there isn't a fixed direct relationship between starting point and final result. What matters is: could a better final result have reasonably been achieved?

I don't see how you can make those top teeth go where they are supposed to without doing something more than braces e.g. surgery or extractions. It looks to me like either the top arch needs to come forward or the lower needs to go back.

But what would I know? I could be completely wrong. If I were you I'd be getting the opinion of another orthodontist, after showing your current one that first picture and asking him how that can be considered your long-term occlusion.

[mmkay]

I'm just some random unqualified person, so don't be so disappointed quite yet. Just make sure you get good professional advice.

[plugnickel69]

Ortho or dentist? Were you advised to have extractions or surgery?

[fosterp]

I agree with others that you should consider a second opinion.

My (lay) opinion is that your teeth definitely should not be angled that far out. There are cases where teeth are angled inwards or outwards and within certain ranges its acceptable, but I think yours are outside that range.

If I had to venture to guess, you should have had extractions, or surgery, or both - not easy to tell from those pictures but it looks like the sticking out is a result of your teeth having no room to pull back in.

[sirwired]

Well, I'm no orthodontist, but off-hand that flaring out is usually caused by a too-crowded arch. That extraction seems to me like exactly what you'd do to fix a too-crowded arch, as the new space provides room to de-flare the teeth (as opposed to replacing it with an implant.)

Was your ortho a "no extractions, ever" ortho, or did he (or another ortho) suggest them and you decided not to go with that plan?

[plugnickel69]

I don't understand how the flaring out problem wasn't evident before he took your braces off???

[Norrie]

Wow, it definitely seems like you will need quite a bit more work done. I would absolutely get a second and third opinion. Go to at least two more orthodontists. Most offer free consultations; just ask when you call to schedule (or many of them note it on their websites). I'd ask friends, family, and co-workers who they've used for themselves or their kids, as you don't want to go in blind with no recommendations.

After getting second and third opinions, I'd be very clear with your orthodontist that you've very unhappy with the work, and ask how he/she intends to make it right.

I'm sorry that you've had such a long run in braces and aren't happy with the results. I wouldn't be either. Best of luck.

[Anna5]

I agree with the others.
I also think this result is not acceptable as a result of ortho treatment. Definitely go for a second opinion. Hopefully another ortho (or your own ortho) will give you a more acceptable result, I am sure they can!

[MrsCharisma]

I have a hard time fathoming how you did 3.5 years in braces, got them off and are now completely confused. Sorry.

Hope you figure out how to go forward in your treatment plan...

[28monthjourney]

Are you sure you want to bring the plans back to your current ortho and have him do it after the poor job he did in the first place?

[kids041]

Well in my opinion I think I would go for fixed braces.

[Matilda]

I'd get fixed braces as well.

[an9el3md]

I'd probably get fixed as well, but I'd go to the lady who came up with the plan. If you truly didn't know how this was going to look it seems like your original ortho is either unskilled or horrible at communication.

[catwanabee]

Looks like you have bimaxillary protrusion, in that case 4 bicuspids should be extracted, if they are not already.