Filling in the extraction gaps..

[Niraja]

Hi all... I'm new here and I've read on many websites and in these forums that the teeth extraction gaps take long time to fill. I had four teeth (up down left right) removed in order to fix the bracers. My ortho said they must be removed if I wanted to put braces on. My ortho is abroad for few weeks and what i want to know is how these extraction gaps will be filled. Will other teeth move automatically and fill in the gaps or will my ortho fix yet another metal piece in my mouth for the teeth to move? (I am wearing Damon braces)

So what...? Will other teeth move by themselves to close the gaps or will my ortho have to fix any apparatus and move the teeth? And if so, will I have to pay anew or is it a part of the whole procedure?

[Sassee]

Hi Niraja, welcome to the forum. I can't tell you if it will be a long time to fill the gap or not, but I just had my 4 premolars taken out (and 2 wisdom teeth). I saw my ortho about a week afterwards and he put powerchains (which are elastics that hook around the brackets of several teeth) on the teeth surrounding the gaps to pull them closer together. I have only had the powerchains on for about a 2 weeks I notice a difference in the size of the gaps - they are all much more smaller. That being said all teeth are different and all move at different paces, the average our teeth move is 1 mm a month. I am assuming that is what your Ortho will do too. Good luck.

[50+]

Hi Niraja, I had 3 gaps where molars used to be - two on top both sides and one on the bottom. I've had my braces for over 2 years and my gaps are closed. My ortho is very pleased with my progress and he is working on aligning my bite now - due to have them off in 9 months. I also had TADs (Temporary Anchoring Devices) inserted and that helped with keeping my back molars in place while he move the other teeth. This was necessary for me as I was a special case and I was told the TADs replaced headgear - at my age - I went with the TADs. I had to have an oral surgeon put them in and they were expensive and my insurance didn't cover it - but it had to be part of my treatment. I think in the long run it was well worth it because they did what was necessary. I also had the advantage of crowded teeth in front - so in straightening those out - helped with closing the gaps.

Hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please feel free to respond.

[Niraja]

Thank you both so much for taking time to share your experiences... Now its one week from the day I got the bracers and it still hurts a little. Wow Sassee I don't think I will see my gaps start closing that fast! And 50+, do those TADs hurt? Have to discuss some things with my ortho when he comes back...something broke into two while I was having dinner... So, thank you once again...!