Weird Situation

[Asteria]

Hi
I'm 17 years old and have never had braces or anything, I'm not familiar with any 'dental lingo' so I'll explain this with as much detail, I can provide pictures if needed.

I have I think what would be called an overbite, where my 2 top front teeth are going down at a weird angle in front of my bottom teeth.
/ <--top front teeth
| <-- bottom teeth

I went in for a consult when I was about 12 and they said to get braces I'd have to remove 4 teeth, but honestly I want to look at other possibilities before getting them.

So in general, I'm just trying to see if there is ANY other way cost doesn't matter I just want to explore options, and I guess I'll have to rock the braces if it comes down to it

[Sunny]

Hi Asteria

Your option is quite straight forward ... phone round two or three orthodontist's and make appointments for a consultation.

At this consult ask what your options are to improve your bite. Take note of how you feel about each person ... the way they treat you and your questions, and of course the answers you get. Hopefully after seeing two or three ... or more if you feel you need to, you'll know which person is the one to treat you, if indeed some type of treatment is needed.

Extracting teeth isn't done very often, but sometimes it does need to be. It's important to ask if one ortho recommends no extractions and another recommends 2 or 4 teeth be removed. Ask why, as some will try and use rubbish reasons, like the brand of bracket, when it's a well known fact that brackets don't move teeth. You want an ortho who uses the science regarding how teeth move to give you a proper reason ... as it will relate to your case.

Good luck and if you have any questions, please ask them on this forum!

[Asteria]

sounds good, ill schedule an appt real soon

thanks for the help

and im a senior in high school, would getting braces now be weird? i feel like it would be, ha.

[Sunny]

Only weird if you let it be! I was 47 and working as a counsellor when I got braces and it wasn't weird ... but then I was positive this was going to be a worthwhile experience and so far it has been.

Good luck with your consultations!

[Kid Robot]

Don't feel weird about braces at 17...I'm 30.You should do it now so by the time you're legally able to go to a bar you won't have to worry about it then! Good luck!

[wycket]

Hello Asteria! I think getting braces in high school is totally normal, and as Kid Robot mentioned, it's a perfect time to get it done if you can! I'm 31, and getting my braces in 2 days! If we can do it, so can you! Good luck!