Thinking about getting braces off, advice needed

[azores]

Hi everyone, I'm glad I found this forum- I'm going crazy!

I got my braces put on June of 2008, I have two years left. However with all of the issues I've had, I'm definitely considering taking them off and getting a retainer before matters get worse.

The problem? I was given a consultation by a Dr who said I could not get any extractions from the top, because my profile would be damaged (I have a larger nose) if my mouth were to get smaller, my nose would appear larger. Not to mention I have smaller lips, the extractions would decrease the appearance of my lips.

However he said I would need three extractions from the bottom, and potentially jaw surgery to bring my bottom jaw forward slightly. I told him I would not get the surgery and he said, I would come out fine but would be off by a cm or so. I dont seek perfection, so I agreed.

Then he moved, and I was seen my different orthos everytime I went in....I believe no one was following a plan...and mistakes were made.

Finally I get a ortho new to the company, though very experienced. Right off the bat I trusted and liked him. I told him I would not do any upper extractions, he said I would need to trust him in order to make things "right" with my mouth (so I dont sue, I guess he's thinking). A report is sent to headquarters, the bottom teeth should NOT have been extracted...there were 3 bottom teeth extracted. So now this ortho is opening up the spaces that were nearly closed on bottom from the extractions. AND he said, "you need to trust me" and sent me to get two upper extractions...I took a leap of faith, and decided he must know what hes doing.

NO! So I ask what the plan is since I dont want my profile changing dramatically, he said "I wish you would have told me sooner!" I could not believe it!

Now the changes are obvious in my face, though the spaces arent done closing. I cannot handle them closing anymore, because I am getting uglier by the day.

My teeth are all straigh and lign properly, if you dont put into consideration I have 5 empty spaces...two on top are obvious when I smile. I was thinking of getting my braces off and getting a retainer with a partial denture to hold me over until I can afford implants in the future. My husband wants me to sue, there are no ortho attorneys in town....I have no money to hire one anyway. I pay about $130 out of pocket since I have no insurance, I think I should stop treatment before my face gets worse, I mean...I'll have perfect teeth but a huge nose and a tiny mouth...I'll look like a dinossaur.

What do you think I should do?

OH PS: I may be losing a 6th tooth, because during the period of time when no one was really following a treatment plan...one of my teeth moved so far out of normal position (It was laying on my bottom lips) that now it is brownish...however the nerve is still alive, though it is a sign that it will die soon.

I'm so depressed. I always had terribly crooked teeth and dreamed of getting braces since I was 12, got them when I was 25...and I'm not too sure it was a good idea now.

[Sunny]

Wow ... I can't believe you were being treated by professionally trained orthodontists', as a major part of there training is to consider the affect of treatment on the face. This is why they take photos, x-rays and draw the plans they do. I think the first thing you need to do, is check to see if the people who treated you had any qualifications, and if they did ... talk to a medical board about this, as it really sounds to bad to be true.

Apart from that I really don't know what to say! Good luck finding out more about these people and sorting your problems out.

[azores]

Well its through Western Dental (am i allowed to post that?)

[Sunny]

I guess you can, but it's not the company but the people who're treating you I'd be researching.

[azores]

Yeah well, I'll put some effort into that. I'm already swamped. I have three children under the age of 6, my 3 year old is undergoing surgery within the next few months (he has Cerebral Palsy) and my two year old is the energizer bunny. My husband works all hours and I maintain everything myself, since I have no family to help. I think that's why I just want to STOP the braces, keep things from getting worse...then continuing on in the future when my load is lighter. However, if I need to act NOW for legal reasons....maybe I should not discontinue treatment. AHHH its a whirlwind of thoughts & emotion...I'm very unhappy. I wish someone would drop the magical answer bomb upon me. Thanks for taking the time Sunny.

[Sunny]

Azores maybe if you put it to your ortho that you want your brackets off, a retainer made and will return to treatment at a time when you can cope better with what's been happening, you will get some response from this person to help you sort out your treatment.

Sadly there is no 'magickal answer' ... how I wish there was, as I've also been on emotional roller coaster the past year while my hubby was dying. What I learned during this time, was that I had to take control and not make excuses or expect others to do things for me. I had great friends who supported me at every stage of my beautiful man's disease, but it was me that had to be his strength, as it was me who's hand he needed to hold due to fear etc. In the end, we are responsible for the decision we make, for the questions we ask, or do not ask, and the way we respond to the professionals around us.

I hope you and your family find what works best for you, and if it means getting retainers, then do it. Whatever will make your life within your family circle the best ... do it ... the decision is yours. Good luck!

[Zoso]

My first suggestion is that you seek a second opinion from an orthodontist who is entirely unaffiliated with the company that's treating you now - consultations are usually free of charge in the USA, so at least that would be no money out of pocket for you. Of course, depending what they say, it may be that you'd want to resume treatment elsewhere. I wonder if there is a dental school in your area that does orthodontic training - if so, perhaps you could get a consultation there, and treatment would most likely work out to be less expensive than at a private practice (although, that said, scheduling can be tougher, which I understand may make it unfeasible with your personal circumstances.)

I don't know what else to suggest beyond these suggestions of seeking other professional opinions. All we can do here is speculate about what would be the best course of treatment to meet your needs now.

I'm so sorry you find yourself in this mess

[azores]

Thanks for the replies! I spoke with an attorney today, sounds really complicated! However I wrote a grievance letter to the Company, I was very thorough with requests and detailing events which led up until now. So lets hope for the best! I will update this thread with new news, as I appreciate it when other people update their stories.

To top it off, I found out I am pregnant today! That will be 4 children, I am most blessed!

Tubal Ligation here I come!!!!

Sunny, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. You're a very strong lady. I have huge fears about my husband unexpectedly passing away in his sleep. My husband has sleep apnea & sleeps with a ventilator. My dh also has seizures while sleeping, stops breathing while seizing and turns blue. Everytime that happens, tremendous pressure is put on his heart and his blood pressure is already high. I was just telling my best friend today, how would I properly raise four children without him?! Ah whatever, I need to stop worrying about whats not even here. I'm a sack of anxiety.

Good wishes to everyone, and thank you!

[Zoso]

You poor thing! You're right it does no good to fret about what might happen, but I surely don't know how I wouldn't, were I in your shoes. Try to do what you can to destress - you have to take care of yourself too, for the sake of your kids, and for your own sake too.

[azores]

Thanks so much Zoso

I've come to terms with the pregnancy today, I'm actually excited The people that truly matter in my life were extremely happy for me, my six year old daughter (other kids dont understand yet , my husband, my mother & in laws! I can honestly say that's the first time I've received so many supportive words!

As for my braces, I'm so dedicated to achieving the original results that were promised during the initial consultation that I know things will turn out right, the pregnancy has put things into perspective for me...it really isn't that big of a deal...it can be dealt with!

Woah, optimism has set in full throttle!

[Sunny]

Fantastic news azores ... things happen for a reason, although at times it can be challenging to try and work out what that reason might be. It's fantastic that you've received so much support at this time and your excitement is growning for you unborn!

Keep up your wonderful attitude and please let us know how your ortho appointments progress!

Take good care, thinking of you!

[Zoso]

Good on you! Sometimes it's at times like this that we find out just how deep the strength runs within us, and it sounds like you've managed to tap into some hitherto hidden well of strength, with teh help and support of those who are close to you.