Please help....i'm worried

[StubbornTeeth]

I have had braces on for 4years. I had to wear a passive wire twice, for a one year period each time, because I deployed with the military. I will be honest, I do not go to the orthodontist as scheduled all the time. Long story short, when I was going to consultations for orthodontic treatment several doctors said I needed a palatal expander, I have a cross bite. The orthodontic I chose said he can correct my cross bite without a palatal expander. After four years, well 2 years of actual treatment, my doctor took off my clear brackets and replaced them with the silver, AND LARGER, bracket and stated my teeth are shifting in the wrong direction. I feel like my cross bite has gotten worse since I have had braces and my upper jaw is still smaller than my lower jaw. Do you think braces alone will fix my problem? Oh the orthodontist stated I still have a least another 18 months in braces. My teeth has always been straight, I wanted braces because I was a finger sucker as a child and I had a VERY SMALL gap and my front teeth didn't touch. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

WORRIED

[Zoso]

It sounds like braces alone aren't doing the job for you, and it is indeed possible that you do need an expander. But, depending on how much expansion you need, even that alone may not be enough - it is widely thought that as an adult there is a limit to what can be managed without surgery, since the palate has fused into a single piece (when we are children, there is a soft "suture" along the middle of the palate that will remodel more easily, allowing for expansion with an expander alone). As an adult, it is possible that all the expander might do is tip (tilt) the teeth outward. That doesn't make for the best bite, and might not be as stable.

My advice to you is to consult with two or three more orthos to see what they recommend in your case - whether they feel an expander alone, or even braces alone (as now) can do the trick for your cross-bite.

Best wishes.

[StubbornTeeth]

Yes, I have decided that is what's best... consult another dentist. I am hoping something can be done without surgery. What bothers me most is my orthodontist is not telling me anything. My braces are paid off and he continues to work on my teeth as if the braces alone will get the job done. I am becoming very agitated. Thanks for your input

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome stubborn teeth!

Definitely consult with another ortho or two, to hear what they recommend as the best treatment for you.

I find it interesting that your ortho changed the type of brackets you had, as brackets don't move teeth, it's the archwires that do that job.

My cross bites have been corrected with elastics and they did the job well.

One thing to remember ... after each period of passive treatment, for your teeth, it would be like starting treatment again, so in reality, you won't have yet had the equivalent of two years of treatment.

Often our bites becomes worse before it becomes better, but you'd still be wise to consult further, especially with your jaw size discrepancy.

Good luck getting this sorted and getting your stubborn teeth moving in the right direction!

[ashley2369]

Hi and welcome stubborn teeth!

I to Have a cross Bite from sucking my thumb as a small child and my ortho told me that I will not need surgury and the elastics will correct my bite and so far I have seen a marjor diffrence and only had braces for a short time. Good Luck to you!!