Perfect smile until I open my mouth and see my lower teeth...

[Kagedude]

Hello, I just got my braces off a few weeks ago. I am very happy with my upper teeth's curvature/symmetry but not so with my lower teeth. If you imagine the 4 front lower teeth as 1, 2, 3, 4, my 2 and 4 are aligned instead of 3, my 3 being out the most and 1 being in the most. If you connect the dots, you'll get an idea of the shape.

I notified my ortho a few months before the braces were off, right before the braces were taken off and even showed him the shape of the retainer wire when I got them but he didn't seem to think its an issue although it seems to be an issue with me as I keep looking in the mirror.

My question I guess is about realistic expectations after getting the treatment. Is my example quite normal (non-issue) or should I really push the ortho to correct it?

Thanks!

[josie]

I think you really need to speak to your ortho some more. Orthodontic treatment is expensive and worth having done as well as is possible. You also have the right to understand what is happening to your teeth, and why. It sounds like this is really bugging you and you can't let it go, and that's unlikely to change unless you speak with your ortho and ask him why he has decided not to correct this.

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome to this forum!

Definitely talk to your ortho and ask why he isn't concerned. This may be something that can be corrected, or maybe it's something that can't be corrected without affecting your bite or another issue. Many patients have unrealistic expectations, but their ortho's need to talk to them about this, so they understand.

My advice for now ... stop looking in the mirror, as this may make you feel worse than you should. In fact with continued negative thinking, your view may become even further distraughted. Instead enjoy being brace free and work on loving your smile!

Good luck with talking to your ortho!

[Kagedude]

Thanks for the advice! I will try to talk to the ortho again next month when I go for my checkup.

[Kagedude]

Update:
I went to my follow up/check up a few days ago and brought up my lower teeth again with my ortho but he still says "its okay". I even asked him why the retainer is crooked from the get go. His response is always "its okay". At this point, I'm thinking if he can't see what is wrong, how is he supposed to know how to fix it. I"ll just have to go to another ortho for consultation later. I'm not as bothered as before and I do look at my old teeth to remind me that now is still way better than before.

I didn't realize I can attach a pic. Below is what it looks. Does this look acceptable?

[mikeg]

I wouldn't sweat that, but I can see what you mean.. If I went through all the ortho treatment, I would like to get it as good as possible and if we can't get it fixed, I would at least want some answers and not just an "its OK".

Your teeth look great though.... i'd put all this behind you and just wear the retainers and love life

[Kagedude]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm definitely not as preoccupied as before and can't wait till I only have to wear the retainers at night!

[Sunny]

Wow ... your teeth look amazing and I don't think you have anything to worry about. Congrats on such beautiful looking teeth!

[lasvegasann]

Your teeth do look nice.....Is there a such thing as "perfect"? Try to get the answers to your worries, so that you will fill better!