Any dentists around? Getting braces as an adult and dentist has recommended extraction, but I keep reading horror stories

[FedUpWithDilemmas]

My teeth are horrible and cross over above and are crowded below. I have a big overbite.

The dentist said if I had braces without extraction, my teeth will be straight, but I will still have an overbite. The solution would be to remove a premolar from each side on top, then close the gap.

I hate my smile, but also have severe insecurities over how I look. I think that my chin is not far forward enough ('weak') which exaggerates the overbite.

I have read so many horror stories online about the face collapsing in on itself or breathing problems afterwards. Will I make my upper jaw weaker to match my weak chin? Will my big nose stick out more?

Exactly how does the gap close? Do the teeth move? Does this not loosen them? Surely as an adult, there’s going to be no change in the bone?

Despite my overbite, my tongue sits right behind my front teeth (I think that it pushes them forwards, which doesn’t help). How will I manage if there’s less space in my mouth?

The alternative would be a lower jaw operation to bring it forward (?) but aside from the risks, I can’t afford it.

I am so embarrassed by my teeth and want to get this done, but don’t want to mess up and make it worse 😢

Hey. Not a dentist but thought I'd tell you my story...I'm 36 now.

When I was 26 I got braces in the NHS for a severe overbite. Have you asked your dentist? I think there is a certain measurement which allows it via NHS

I had to have 6 teeth extracted under anesthetic.

I then had a palate expander and train track metal braces for 2 years and then....lower jaw surgery to pull my bottom jaw forward. Without the haw surgery the top teeth would have been straight but still with an overbite. I could get 2 full fingers in the gap before.

Jaw surgery was very very hard and I would becer wabt it ever again.

Essentially what I'm trying to say is the teeth extraction wasn't all that bad. I was very sore for a few weeks but it healed over and all was well.

The braces were the best decision ever so go for it!

Ps...I have had some movement since as I am not the best with my retainer so I'd recommend a fixed retainer!

Thank you.

I am getting so stressed by the horror stories. My teeth are really healthy, just awful (overbite and crossing over)

It sounds like you might have a similar issue to mine.

Disclaimer: definitely not a dentist.

I had an overbite i could stick my tongue through, and wonky top teeth. I went to see about invisalign and was told by my dentist, as you were, that it would make them straight but not solve the overbite.

He recommended an orthodontist who bounced me back to the dentist to have 4 teeth extracted before I had a lovely set of ceramic train tracks fitted for the next 2 years. Honestly? It was the best money I ever spent. I can eat a sandwich without picking it into pieces first, and my migraines have stopped! I can honestly say it changed my life.

I had no issues with the extractions and there are very minor gaps as the wonky teeth were pushed back and mostly filled them in.

I hope this helps you in some way, and good luck on your journey if you decide to move forward with it.

@FedUpWithDilemmas have you ever had braces before = how bad is your overbite? As I say I had all my treatment for free via the NHS. You coukd ask your dentist if yoyr overbite is severe enough to qualify for free treatment. I used to see an orthofontist at the hospital.

I've never had braces before. I don't qualify for free because it's considered purely cosmetic (I disagree - they are causing pain as well. They have got significantly worse over the past few years)

They're not overcrowded in that there are too many teeth, but have been squashed together (I think my sleeping position puts a lot of weight on my face) and my tongue rests in the gap (not deliberate) pushing the top teeth forward and the bottom teeth backwards.

He said that my teeth would be straight, but would have a tooth size gap. Removing a premolar on top each side will take away this gap.

My teeth are really bad, so this is probably the only option, but there are so many horror stories out there (I was googling before and after photos)

I was a thumb sucker until about 12-13 years, which started the problem. They've got worse in adulthood

The more I Google, the more I feel let down by the dentist i had as a teen. I've had life long struggles with my teeth and suffer low self esteem due to them. But I've also suffered low self esteem due to my looks/ profile and I see that this can be improved with dental work. Now it's probably too late.

I know my teeth will look better, I just want to know that my face will not get worse!

My daughter had 2 pre molars out at the top as she looked a bit goofy. The other option was to spread out the top ones and also bring the bottom ones forward, but the dentist said that this would make her pointed chin more pronounced (nice). Her teeth look amazing now and her face has really changed shape for the better. I’d listen to the expert if I were you, maybe ask for a 2nd opinion?

I would go to an orthodontist for braces, and get their advice

He's a specialist orthodontist (I was referred to him by my dentist).

I wonder if people with these problems would have had problems anyway. You never know

Stop going down that rabbit hole of non-mainstream orthodontics OP.
Get another specialist orthodontic opinion if you’re still concerned is my advice as a dentist. Take all your information from somewhere like BOS British Orthodontics Society and the specialist orthodontists that you see; not random stuff from the internet about ‘faces collapsing’ 🤦‍♀️etc.
Good luck, I think you should go for it. Much easier to maintain your oral hygiene too when your teeth are straight; aside from all the aesthetic & confidence positives.

I feel a bit better today. I think the naysayers are just very very loud

Yes, the teeth move. Very slowly obviously. Can you ask the dentist to show you a mock up photo of how your teeth and face will look after?
I'm sure it will really help your smile.

I had a brace but it was when I was a kid and it was for underbite. But everyone I know who had braces later on has been delighted with the results.

The other thing to mention is you must wear your retainers for life.