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Original poster

So unhappy with my smile - any dentists or orthodontists about? Photos attached

62 replies

SmileIssues · 14/09/2018 16:34

I’ve been feeling more and more self conscious about my smile and my face. It’s got to the point where I refuse to have my photo taken and am feeling so down.

Trying to keep it brief - I had a brace on at 17 which left me with a lovely wide smile but a 8/9mm overjet/ overbite (not exactly sure which). I was later referred to an NHS ortho, and surgery was discussed but it wasn’t ever explained to me that the problem was with my lower jaw rather than my top teeth. In the end two of my upper pre molars were removed and I had a second set of braces. With hindsight I wouldn’t have agreed to the extractions!

I feel my smile is narrow now and there’s some imperfections that are disheartening when I’ve had so many years of braces. One of the remaining bicuspids slants inwards so my smile is asymmetrical and looks narrower on one side than the other (blue arrow on photo). The gaps from the extractions haven’t been fully closed, but again they aren’t symmetrical either. On one side the gap is more even spaced either side of my third incisor, on the other all three incisors are close together but there’s a bigger gap between them and the remaining premolar. My profile isn’t great thanks to the underdeveloped lower jaw but maybe I could live with that if I felt more confident about my smile.

Does anyone have any advice? I’m not even sure which professional I’d need to see now. Sorry the photos aren’t the best quality - taken on my mobile but can try to get some better ones later.

OP posts:
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6
madyogafan · 14/09/2018 17:52

Honestly I would leave well alone. Your teeth look great and nobody would even notice that gap.
I think even with more treatment you aren't going to achieve the 'perfect' result you want because there are issues with the bite between your upper and lower teeth.I think these issues are disguised well with your teeth as they are now.
More ortho carries risks (like root resorption) and I certainly wouldn't advise veneers as they will mean tooth preparation.

I used to be a dentist btw.

Branleuse · 14/09/2018 17:54

Youve got really lovely teeth and smile. Slight overbite but its cute. Certainly not goofy. You dont need any work done imo

BabySharkAteMyHamster · 14/09/2018 17:55

In the nicest possible way you need to stop focussing on problems that arent there 🤷‍♀️

Your teeth are fine, your smile. Is fine.

DorothyBastard · 14/09/2018 17:56

You have an absolutely beautiful smile and lovely teeth.

Chrisinthemorning · 14/09/2018 17:58

I am a dentist and although I can see what you’re saying, I think you have a lovely smile.

Millipedewithherfeetup · 14/09/2018 18:07

I would give my right arm to have your teeth ! You have really nothing to to worry about...you really do have a lovely smile Grin

gamerchick · 14/09/2018 18:10

Eh get away with you man, there's nothing wrong with your teeth!

If you feel able to post pictures for people to judge then there's nothing wrong with them. Nothing wrong with a bit of reassurance but please put this to bed. Your teeth are lovely seriously.

Dodie66 · 14/09/2018 18:11

Gosh I think you have a beautiful smile. The gap at the side is not noticeable at all. I think because you have focused on it so much you are making a problem of something that is not there.

SirVixofVixHall · 14/09/2018 18:14

I would love to have teeth like yours, you have a gorgeous smile.

FabulousTomatoes · 14/09/2018 18:18

I think you have a lovely smile, and think it’s very sad that there are so many fake plastic over-veneered teeth around these days that people like you are starting to doubt your natural beauty Sad

CormoranStrike · 14/09/2018 18:22

I cane see nothing wrong with your smile - nobody should have Hollywood smiles with no natural gaps or twists: that looks fade.

You look warm and friendly with a lovely smile to be proud of.

CormoranStrike · 14/09/2018 18:23

Sorry, not nobody should have, but nobody needs to yearn for a false look.

Ilove80s · 14/09/2018 18:25

You have got much nicer teeth than the average person. I can only see the gap because of the big arrow you have drawn!

CryptoFascist · 14/09/2018 18:28

Your smile is sooo pretty. You have nothing to worry about ,and I'm not trying to be kind here, just honest.

bellinisurge · 14/09/2018 18:29

Can't see the issue. Sorry you are so self conscious about it. Nothing I say will change that but, seriously, no issue there at all.

gabsdot · 14/09/2018 18:31

My husband, age 46 just had his brace taken off this week. He had much more crooked teeth than you and had been self conscious about them all his life.They really effected his confidence and self esteeme.
The results of the brace are amazing and he is so pleased with it. He's just sorry he didn't get one years ago. He put it off because he thought he would look stupid with one at work. As it happened very few people even noticed it.
Anyway my point is, if you can afford it get a brace. It will totally be worth it.

MrsNacho · 14/09/2018 18:32

Your smile is beautiful.

Having said that I had an overbite so can imagine how you feel. To correct it you would have to have jaw surgery. Probably just lower jaw but I am no expert. I just had double jaw surgery on the NHS, my dentist referred me to the hospital orthodontist and the orthodontist and surgeon came up with a plan. Wether you qualify for surgery on the NHS depends on an index so you need to get a referral and see what they say.

gabsdot · 14/09/2018 18:33

By the way. Your teeth are very straight compared to my husbands and he wore his brace for 10 months on the top teeth and 6 months on the bottom so you would probably have to wear your for much less time.
It was amazing how quickly the teeth started to straighten.

esk1mo · 14/09/2018 18:37

wow your smile is so gorgeous! seriously, id be smiling constantly if i had your teeth!

(and ive had braces twice)

GoodHeavensNoImAChicken · 14/09/2018 18:41

You have a lovely smile, I would leave it if I were you.

I am sensitive about my overjet but when I mention it to people it’s very much an issue which bothers me a lot more than other people; they say they can’t really see it even if I know it’s definitely there! I spoke to an orthodontist about it who saw me ten years ago and he advised to leave it.

TheDishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 14/09/2018 18:45

Im a dentist OP and I think you have a lovely smile! Its honestly really lovely and I wouldn't want to mess with it. I can see what you mean when you say you have an overjet and a slight gap, but honestly it doesn't look like that in the smile, it just looks like you have a lovely warm, natural smile. If I had teeth like yours I'd be happy, they look pretty perfect to me!

Having said that, there are always things you can do but after 2 rounds of ortho, I'd be worried a 3rd might lead to potential problems with root resorption or gum recession. Again there are always options with crowns or veneers and if you visited a very good cosmetic/restorative dentist they might be able to put some crowns on that would look good without doing much damage but I think that might just look a bit fake and ruin what you have now!

toomuchtv88 · 14/09/2018 18:47

I know even if a thousand people post here there will be a little bit of you that still has doubt but I promise you your teeth are fine. I would pay a lot of money if my teeth could look like yours :-) and mine aren't horrific they just aren't as nice as your set!

Be proud and smile away :-)

GissASquizz · 14/09/2018 18:51

By narrow do you mean the arch of your teeth? Because you can't widen your upper jaw.

Original poster
SmileIssues · 14/09/2018 18:52

Thank you for all the supportive messages. I’m trying really hard to take them on board. It is difficult when I feel so self conscious about my teeth and have done for some time. But I will try. Hopefully people I meet in RL see what you see, rather than what I do.

madyogafan I think you’re right, and going down the extractions route rather than surgery has meant I’ll never be 100% confident. Just wish it had been explained to me properly at the time. What you’ve said about root resorption is very worrying, especially when I’ve been looking into having everything reversed so would mean pulling my teeth around a lot again.

Thanks Chris and glad you can see where I’m coming from at the same time too. It’s really helpful to have input from an expert.

Gamer I’m sure you mean well but I’ve posted on here out of desperation. It’s really, really shit to have years of intervention and then feel upset with the end result.

Glad to hear your husband is pleased gabsdot I have already had braces on. I’m trying to heed what has been said on here but I’ve been researching dental implants, veneers, cosmetic bonding and all sorts to correct the changes that the braces have left me with.

OP posts:
GissASquizz · 14/09/2018 18:52

And I meant to say your teeth are lovely. I also have a narrow arch and it's just the way it is.

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