Do you believe I need to get braces?!

Do you believe I need to get braces?

I'm mostly concerned about my lower jaw. Surprisingly everything on the upper jaw is near perfect and everything on my lower jaw is a near disaster.

The leftmost incisor is set back quite a bit because I pulled out the baby tooth late. The two middle incisors aren't aligned although I pulled the baby teeth out on time. The rightmost incisor is diagonal. The right canine is also growing from the same spot as the diagonal incisor. (Not my fault, the root didn't dissolve completely.) That leaves a gap where the canine was supposed to be.

Quick and lesser question: are the bicuspids on my lower jaw supposed to have only one spike?

All that aside, flossing is easier because I have fewer gaps for food to get stuck in.

Yes, you may need to complete orthodontic therapy on your mandible. The dentist can torque the teeth so that they are rotated and aligned properly. The area where the canine was supposed to be will be filled by the bicuspid, unless you opt to have an implant; the incisors are 'important' teeth.

Everyone's mouth is different, like fingerprints. The shape of your bicuspids may have been affected by your malocclusion, or that's just how they developed.

Good job with the flossing, keep it up! If you do get braces, the orthodontist will give you a floss threader. It takes a little getting used to, but in the long run, it is well worth it!!

You could always make an appointment for a consult with an orthodontist to have all your questions answered prior to making any decisions.