Braces and Extraction Gaps!!! ASAP REPLY?!
Question: Okay. I have had braces for 5 months now. Before I got them, I have to have 5 wisdom teeth pulled and 4 of my molars. NOw I have 4 gaps in the front of my mouth from where the molars were. The braces apparently are not pulling the gaps closed fast enough. I was wondering, since I am paying the Ortho, could I ask him to put powerchains on these to close the gaps faster.? I mean isn't that what the powerchains are used for? My next ortho visit is Feb 11. Do you think the wires will close them up a little bit more before then?
Answers: Okay. I have had braces for 5 months now. Before I got them, I have to have 5 wisdom teeth pulled and 4 of my molars. NOw I have 4 gaps in the front of my mouth from where the molars were. The braces apparently are not pulling the gaps closed fast enough. I was wondering, since I am paying the Ortho, could I ask him to put powerchains on these to close the gaps faster.? I mean isn't that what the powerchains are used for? My next ortho visit is Feb 11. Do you think the wires will close them up a little bit more before then?
You could, but if the teeth are moved too fast this can cause damage to the teeth and bone. When teeth are moved, the bone is slowly broken down and then slowly rebuilt. If the teeth are pulled too quickly it can break bone, teeth, etc. The teeth can be damaged if there is too much pulling, it can break brackets and cause stress fractures of teeth. It is not a good idea to rush braces. After 5 months, I would not expect the gaps to be closed. Maybe after a full year or longer, depending on your body.
It takes some time. You could ask him to put the power chain on there, but there may be a good reason why he hasn't already. If it bothers you that much, just ask him about it.
It does not work that you can have powerchains to move the gaps faster. Based on the jaw profile they measure the size of the teeth and extract teeth accordingly. Its very much like having 12 big cars fit inside a space of 16 compact cars. The earlier you get the movement there are chances that you will have a failure (relapse) of treatment which you do not want to do. Get used to the spaces, there is light at the end of the tunnel, trust me (i am a dentist)
Yes, you can always ask, but the doctor knows best. Orthodontistry is not about speed so you may need to bear through it. If the gaps are too large, powerchains wont be effective.
Agree with all the above posters. First of all you need to know what you are talking about before you start questioning the orthodontist. You only have 4 wisdom teeth, and they are the last teeth on your mouth, for the majority of people they dont even erupt. so they are never an issue. Next the molars are in the back of your mouth so you wouldnt have spaces in the front of your mouth from getting them pulled, and ortho's typically dont pull them they pull out your premolars. ANd like the above poster said you have to pull the molars forward slowly so the bone in front of it resorbs and bone behind it forms, or your teeth will just tip from the pressure and you will be really unhappy! Your ortho obviously wants to get you done as fast as possible and would not try to make it take longer or he loses money.