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Original poster

Adult braces - still not happy :(

36 replies

LMonkey · 12/09/2015 11:55

I posted a thread a few weeks ago about the fact that I'm due to get my braces off very soon but haven't been happy with the lack of progress on my top teeth. This is a re-straightening as I had braces years ago but they relapsed. My teeth were certainly not severely crooked this time but I just so wanted them perfectly straight again. My main issue is that my right lateral incisor is further back than it should be and so my top teeth are not perfectly aligned, but generally my top teeth just could do with being pulled tight and straight again and at the moment they really look no different than they did 10 months ago. I went to see my ortho who asked me to show him exactly what I meant and he didn't seem to think there was much wrong but put a new wire in anyway. The ortho office phoned me up a few days later to see if I was happy with the progress of the tooth, and at this point I actually thought things were moving slightly so I said yes but I'd like to come in again anyway. At this appt he seemed to actually understand where I was coming from which seemed different than the last time. He removed the square from my lateral incisor and repositioned it. This I thought seemed promising. However this was a few days ago and I can't see any difference or feel anything happening. The more I look at my teeth the more unhappy I am with them generally - they do not look like teeth that are nearing the ending of straightening treatment. I feel quite miserable about it. I notice that the back 2 teeth on each side of my top teeth don't have any brackets/brace on - is this normal practice anyone? I've heard of the very back teeth not having anything on but not the back 2. Maybe this is what is needed to 'pull' them all in to place? I kind of feel that my ortho is crap and I'm being done over. My bottom teeth are fine, I wonder if he can't be arsed with my top as they weren't so bad. God I'm so pissed off. Theres no way im going to agree to have these off in 2 weeks time but im sooo desperate to get them off! Theres no reason why they shouldnt be perfectly straight by now. Can I demand to see another ortho at the practice? Anyone?

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 12:02

Is your orthodontist a registered specialist in orthodontics? You can look on the GDC website to find that out.

BearPear · 12/09/2015 12:03

Are you paying for the treatment? If so don't they have to do what you are paying for?
DD had "train tracks" as a teenager on the NHS but the results weren't as expected, she has now paid for Invisalign treatment and is much happier.

Original poster

LMonkey · 12/09/2015 12:08

Yes he is registered, its the same practice that I had my treatment as a teenager on the NHS, though different orthodontist as my original ortho is retired. I am paying for it this time but at a much discounted rate as I was a previous patient, though I really don't think this should effect the standard of my treatment.

OP posts:

Bambooshoots14 · 12/09/2015 12:08

I've got braces on at the moment (nhs) and my second from back tooth top and bottom has a metal loop around it with the wire going through it. But u had the third from back teeth out so the loop is to close the gap i assume

Bambooshoots14 · 12/09/2015 12:09

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 12:25

Bearpear it's all well and good to say "they have to do what you're paying for" but in medicine and surgery, not everything is possible!

I'd love to look like Kate Middleton but no matter how much money I have, that ain't going to happen. Sometimes there is a discrepancy between the expectation and the reality. It sounds like this may be an issue here as obviously the OP can see problems that the orthodontist can't.

Original poster

LMonkey · 12/09/2015 12:52

I think that's exactly the case Mrsmorton. He just can't seem to see it. But I just think, he is an orthodontist, surely he is meant to notice any imperfection?? I feel very let down, as assumed I could put my trust into someone with such 'expertise'. Having had perfectly straight teeth after I had the treatment done before I know that my teeth do have the ability to look that good and that is what I want to recreate.

OP posts:

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 13:05

LMonkey, it's interesting. Bear with me... I saw a patient a few weeks ago and he was incredibly concerned about the appearance of his front tooth. I really couldn't see what was wrong with it, after a while I took a photo, printed it off and got him to show me what he was talking about. Anyway, after a fairly long chat I asked him if he was particularly anxious about his teeth. And he was... what he could see was a big issue for him but what I could see looked nice and healthy!

I'm not saying you have anxiety at all but once you have started having remedial work, it is easy to become fixated on things that we might not necessarily notice as to us they look good. The other problem with ortho is that the changes can be slow so rather than boom new teeth, you become more aware of things as they are moving.

Can you take some photos so you can show him what you mean?

It's normal in some cases to nay have brackets and no bands on (the things that go on the molars). The teeth are moved by the shape of the slots in the brackets engaging with the shape of the wire. The molar bands are neither here note there unless they are engaged by some means such as elastics etc.

Don't get disheartened or disillusioned with the ortho yet, give him a chance to see what the problem is, as I said- it's obvious to you because in your head you know what you expect the outcome to be. He's not in your head to see that!

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 13:05

Oh and make sure you get/wear retainers this time!

Original poster

LMonkey · 12/09/2015 14:00

Haha yes this time I will wear my retainers FOR EVER! I'm also getting a fixed bonded retainer on my bottom teeth but he said that he'd prefer not to on my top teeth as it tends to break because of the bite, don't know how normal that is? I'd prefer to have one on top too. There is absolutely nothing on my top 2nd and 3rd molars, I just have the hooks starting from my 1st molars - without the wires being linked on to the back teeth what on earth is pulling them into position? You've reminded me now that last time I had the metal bands around the back molars, I think I would feel more reassured if they were there this time. Its all very different this time. Can't help but feel slightly disheartened.

OP posts:

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 14:06

They're not being pulled by the molar bands. The wire is what does the work. It's formed into an arch and the brackets are fixed to it. If it's a square wire (in cross section) in square slots, the teeth will move into position along the wire. It's so hard to explain, braces aren't "tightened" the wire is changed to one that has more impact. Have a Google, tip and torque is what it's about.

The molar bands are immaterial and increase your likelihood of getting decay.

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 14:13

The molar bands just have hollow tubes which the wires slot into. They sit in there doing nothing! The only way molar bands do anything is if they have elastics or chains attached to them.

Original poster

LMonkey · 12/09/2015 14:18

Thanks for your knowledge. Its great to get advice from someone who works in that field. I might do the photo thing you suggested as it might be easier than trying to show him in the mirror.

OP posts:

Bambooshoots14 · 12/09/2015 20:47

Yes I have elastics onto my molar bands to close the gap

Printing a photo sounds like a good idea

Interesting about the wires being a shape in the brackets, I didn't realise that

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 20:51

Square wire in a square hole puts forces on like this... (Hopes drawing is clear enough)

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 20:55

And the shape of the arch wire puts forces on like this...

Original poster

LMonkey · 12/09/2015 22:02

So what could the significance be of my ortho removing the bracket from my lateral incisor and repositioning it? Would this mean it wasn't positioned correctly to aid the movement that was needed or would it not have any impact? Should I start to see improvement soon? I can't feel anything happening!

OP posts:

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 22:12

Yes, it might not have been in the right place to be active. Best person to ask is him! I've done no clinical orthodontics since I graduated!!!

MsBojangles · 12/09/2015 23:06

I've yet to encounter an ortho who was on first name terms with the truth, although I'm sure there must be some exceptions. Don't allow him to fob you off, don't let him cut corners and remove the brace until you are happy with the result.

Repositioning brackets is not unheard of during treatment so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Mrsmorton · 12/09/2015 23:38

Original poster

LMonkey · 13/09/2015 00:43

No there's no way I'm going to agree to having my braces off until I'm happy. I've spent money on this, I've spent nearly a year in braces at the age of 32, I had my second baby in march and in all the baby pictures I've got my braces on, I cannot let this be wasted. The removal date is in 2 weeks time and I already know I won't be happy by that point, there's just not enough movement yet. I am utterly fed up though and just want the damn things off! Just worried the ortho will say something like "well I don't think there's much more we can do..." which he sort of said when I first told him my worries. I don't want to be a difficult cow but godammit I can see myself becoming one soon if things don't improve.

OP posts:

Bambooshoots14 · 13/09/2015 10:41

That's really useful pictures thank you. I've got round wires I think so assume I'm picture 2.

Op did they always say a year? Mine (nhs) have said year and a half (although it'll be longer due to apts being rearranged) and friend has private ones on and was told year and a half too. Thought that was quite standard,

I agree in asking them to keep them on until your happy. Theyre never going to be 100%. Why don't you post a picture on here so we can give you an opinion of whether they look ok or we can see the problem?

Mrsmorton · 13/09/2015 10:56

They start with round wires as they can go into the nooks and crannies then when the teeth are aligned, you move onto rectangular wires to get the roots into position.

There's a sequence of wire diameters etc to follow.

OP, you are right to not let it go til you're happy. As long as the orthodontist knows what you're after!

Original poster

LMonkey · 13/09/2015 13:15

I was told no longer than a year as it was only mild crowding this time round. I only had them on for 16 months when I was a teenager and they were a lot worse.

I will try and post picture.....

OP posts:

Original poster

LMonkey · 13/09/2015 23:08

If anyone's still reading this thread, sorry for taking so long!

Here's some pics to see what you think, I'll be interested to know, although typically I really don't think the photos show up the flaws all that well compared to seeing them in real life.

I just don't think they look like a dead straight set of gnashers ready for the braces to come off.

OP posts:

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