Gap just not closing

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#1 Post by **joney** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:55 pm

I'm 14 months into treatment and delighted with the progress my teeth have made. However ...

I had one tooth on top extracted and that gap has closed up (hooray) but my bottom extraction gap just won't close. My ortho started working on it in early October by putting an elastic across the gap. In December he changed a bracket on one of my molars as he said that was causing a blockage. Today I got a new elastic put where the gap is. The gap is not closing even a tiny bit. I'll ask my ortho about it next time in February.

I'm just wondering if others have had problem gaps and what other solutions their orthos used to close stubborn gaps.

It is beginning to get me down a bit. The irrational self questions whether or not gaps will close when you get extractions and my irrational self is beginning to question if this gap will ever close.

Any ideas appreciated.

Regards
Joney

#2 Post by **joney** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 4:19 pm

Thanks Meryaten

I really shouldn't complain as this is the first glitch in my treatment, everything else has been really smooth sailing. I'm just tired of that gap, I hope the ortho tries something different next time, maybe the closing loops.

Regards
Joney

#3 Post by **mstikl1** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:08 pm

Helooo there!
First molar lower jaw gap - no movement even w/powerchain but dang did it hurt!
I am not sure what the ortho is gonna do about it and frankly can't see how the incisors will have enough room to straighten w/o that space.
Let me know what your ortho's solution is - I hope there is one!!!

#4 Post by **Clo** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:46 am

There is this analogy between moving teeth and for example trying to move a
very heavy object laying on the floor. If you push not hard enough, it will not
move at all. Only when you reach a certain amount of force, it starts moving.
If you push even harder, it will move faster. So, maybe the elastic is just not
strong enough to start any movement. But there are things like closing loops
or springs that can exert more force.

#5 Post by **Andantae** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:19 am

Excellent analogy, Clo~

How frustrating, Joney, but it sounds like just a matter of finding the right force to get it started. Hopefully your new elastic will give it the nudge it needs... Does it feel sore yet? I guess you will know fairly quickly whether or not if it does the trick...