Second Round

[vonic]

Ok-- so I got my braces three weeks ago for the second time at 33. The first time occured during my teenage years. The impetus to getting braces again resulted from crowding on my bottom teeth creating a situation where when I bit down my molars would not touch. After getting over the trama of being referrerd to as a teenager again, I am rather liking the progress. I have been put on the Damon system, before I could learn about invisalign or other systems. Anyway, my question lies in root resorbtion and how much I need to worry about it. I have seen what it looks like (via x-rays) from my past bout with braces and wonder if I should be concerned. Especially considering how quickly my teeth have been repositioned after getting braces just three weeks ago.

I have also seen all of the advertising on Damon and how the system can transform a smile and facial profile. Again, I noted all of the advertising AFTER I got my Damon braces, not to mention the video playing in the waiting room. Had I noted the advertising beforehand I may have questioned it a bit. But I can say that so far it is all true, my profle is different (for the better) and the dark triangles are slowly but surely disappearing.

Now I have 18 months to go.....

So if anyone has any feedback on the resorbtion issue, it would be much appreciated.

[mariahfromchicago]

Welcome, vonic.

[Sunny]

Hi Vonic and welcome to this forum!

If your ortho has taken x-rays to check the condition of the roots of your teeth, and is now proceding with treatment, there should be no need to worry.

Damon's are just a brand name for one of the many types of self ligating brackets. Remember brackets don't move teeth, but it's the archwires and skill of the orthodontist that does that. The archwires used by most companies are the same or similar for all brackets, (even if some advertising might try to say otherwise) so the movement you're achieving is related to the work that's done first to align teeth. The more alignment needed, the more movement is achieved in the early stages.

Talk to your ortho at your first adjustment about your concerns, as this is the person who is best qualified to discuss this subject with you.

It's great that you're already seeing such great progress! Congrats on doing this again!

[Zoso]

The biggest risk factor for root resorption in a second round of orthodontia is if there were significant root resorption in the first treatment. You don't really say explicitly if that was the case for you, but I am sure that if it was, then your ortho will be being especially diligent to keep an eye on the health of your roots.

Don't be too fretful about the apparent speed with which your teeth have moved so far. If your ortho is following the more common pattern, then you are probably in an archwire that has a round cross-section, in which case the teeth will be moving in a way that is referred to as "uncontrolled tipping" - this is a fancy way of saying that the crowns of the teeth are moving much more than the roots; and it is the speed of root movement (and more importantly the forces being brought to bear in order to cause it) that matter more in terms of root resorption.

[vonic]

The biggest risk factor for root resorption in a second round of orthodontia is if there were significant root resorption in the first treatment. You don't really say explicitly if that was the case for you, but I am sure that if it was, then your ortho will be being especially diligent to keep an eye on the health of your roots.

It is hard to know how significant the resorpbtion was from my first treatment. About all I do know is that my regular dentist has commented on it a number of times.... as in, "you used to have braces, do you know how I know?" And then the denstist proceeded to show my bite wing x-rays and how my tooth roots were rounded off on the bottom.

Anyway, I won't worry then. The alternative, of course, would be to forgo braces. I suspect that forgoing treatment would lead to a disaster in my mouth for the rest of my life and as I age multitudes of other dental problems that would likely be of greater concern. Thanks all for the input.

[Zoso]

Yes, you always have to weigh benefits and risks, and if the risks of not sorting out your bite are greater than the risks of significant root resorption this time round, then it's the right thing to do. And it really is surprising the sorts of issues that can be exacerbated by a bad bite.

[Sunny]

Vonic, since root resorption is a concern of your dentist, maybe a question to your ortho about it would be wise. S/he will have the x-rays taken before you began this round of treatment, and will be able to discuss this issue with you. Most ortho's take additional x-rays during treatment, if the patient already has rot resorption issues.

Here's to your bite improving with no affect on the roots of your teeth.