Spacing, and my wants vs. Doctors wants

[DaySoul]

I will have had my braces for 3 years this coming april. I had a severe overbite and minor spacing. After my treatment began my spacing became wider (I have spacing in most of my upper teeth. Most prominent in my 2 front teeth).

I'm starting a new college in 4 months and I want my spacing to close, but I just got my elastics in last month. I don't know what stage I'm in or how much longer I need them for, but I know one thing and one thing only, and that is that I want to close my gaps by then. Since my gaps are 1-2mm each, I'm sure that they will close by August.

I was wondering if I should just tell my ortho to close them and leave my almost fixed overbite alone. So I can have them off after my spacing closes. I don't know if I should though because my dental insurance already paid off my treatment and I don't know if they will get mad that he didn't do what he was supposed to. Also, because I'm going to school out state I won't be able to continue my treatment so I just want my gaps to close!!!!! I'm the patient right? I'm supposed to be happy with my teeth, and I'm not.

[Sunny]

Hi! Definitely talk to your ortho about the gaps and explain how much you want them closed. You then need to listen to what else needs to be done to comlete your treatment. It may be possible that your treatment will be over, shortly after your gaps are closed ... or there may be a few more things needed to make sure your bite is at it's best.

My advice is to go with what your ortho recommends, but at the same time be honest with your ortho about how you're feeling.

Good luck!

[DaySoul]

Thank you so much. =) I'm guessing since I've had them for three years and have the elastics it shouldn't be long until my treatment is over, but considering how much I hate my gaps I think it's time I talk to my ortho. You're right, I might need a few things still so I will ask. Have a wonderful day!

[baroness]

DON'T GET THEM OFF EARLY!! lol!
round two for me. I'm 27, and I am now in round 2. not fun. Had mine taken off early the first time, but now, 10 years later, I had to have them put back on because of problems caused by 1/2 done orthodontia. It's worth driving back every 8 weeks for adjustments.. and I guarantee that having braces in college is a LOT less hassle than having them on when you're a mom years down the road. There ARE things that orthos can do to speed things along. I had a gap in my front two teeth that formed only after having the braces put back on, and when it started to bother me, my ortho offered to put a power chain on and close the gap until the next round of adjustments. He was simply worried about my comfort (didn't want me to be too sore!) and that's why he hadn't put them on before then! Good luck!

[DaySoul]

Hey guys thanks for the comments. I spoke to my ortho and let him know that I have to end treatment because I'm moving to florida. As much as I'd love to continue treatment I'm a poor college student who can't drive back home every month, lol. He asked me to see him every month until August. He also told me that I've had them on for 3 years because my teeth were stubborn and took ''forever'' to move. I now have power chains on my upper and lower, and they're attached to molar brackets. I also have on elastics. I got my power chain put in last month, and then this month he didn't even tighten my braces. CONFUSED! But, he told me we'd close by mid August (which is only 2 1/2 months away) and I have three 2mm gaps. I'm hoping they close. I haven't seen much change over the last month, maybe they moved about .25mm SOOOO We'll see how it goes on my appointment on 7/11 (HAHA!) and I'll yell alot if he doesn't close by then like he promised =D

[DaySoul]

Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

HERE'S AN UPDATED PICTURE OF MY TEETH =D THEY DEFINITELY LOOK SMALLER THAN THE OLD PICS! WOOHOO!!

[lightskinnnn38]

Have you asked if you can switch orthodontists and find one in Florida to finish your treatment? Maybe he can send all of your information over there?

[Sunny]

Fantastic that you can have your treatment finished by the time you need. Here's to your gaps closing quickly and your teeth loook great by then.

There is no such thing as tightenings anymore, they're called adjustments. An adjustment can range from the ortho checking your teeth and doing nothing, through to some major changes like you've had.

I've been going through the 'stubborn teeth ... don't want to move' process for most of my treatment. It's annoying, but here's to your teeth doing whats needed over the next three months!

[Jules]

Hi DaySoul!

I had IPR (interproximal reduction - shaving of teeth) done so there were gaps in my smile. My ortho closed my gap two teeth at a time to ensure closure - started with the two front teeth. She only powerchained two of my front teeth...the next week she added two more - the teeth next to the front ones, which was 4 teeth powerchained then 6 then 8...it closed pretty fast and I'm 30+ years old. Maybe you can consult with your ortho to do this before you move! Your gap seems to be stubborn like mine was!