Adult braces - still not happy :(

[LMonkey]

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?

Wtf? Those are straight teeth! Get the brace off, and perhaps have a chat with someone about your feelings about your teeth.

I can't see the tooth that you think is out of line. In your last pic they appear to have a perfect curve. They do look like there isn't much to do but I am not a dentist.

There is quote that "perfect is the enemy of good" which may apply here.

Wow. Your teeth look very, very straight to me. Maybe not 'perfect' but about as close to perfect as I would expect from a human body.

My teeth are awful in comparison and I've never been hung up on them. Obviously everybody has a different idea of how they want to look and which features are important but really I can't see a reason not to feel confident and happy with those lovely straight teeth!

Your right upper lateral incisor looks well aligned with your other teeth. I can see why your it tho is having trouble understanding what you mean.
Do you have any pics from when your teeth were 'perfect' ?

Yeah I thought people might think I'm crazy! They don't look too bad here. Even though its not obvious what I mean about my right lateral incisor I do think that the two lateral incisors are at slightly different angles, I think its more obvious looking at them 'straight on' like in the first pic.

I know I sound like an obsessive tooth freak but there have been so many photos over the years which have made me unhappy with my teeth as they have looked crooked and it isn't helped by my discoloured front tooth which I think is the result from knocking it when I was a child. I think this can give the illusion that my teeth are more uneven than they are so i want to compensate by having otherwise perfectly straight teeth.

I'll see if i can find some old photos, it might take a while.

Sorry but I think your orthodontist is right, your teeth are lovely and straight and have a really nice arch. You don't need any work doing to them. I would be over the moon if mine were like that!

To be honest I can see what you mean about the lateral incisors but I'm not sure it's something 'normals' ie. those not going through treatment themselves, would notice.

Good luck with whatever you decide x

Your teeth look excellent.

I think you're obsessing too much, and seeing minuscule flaws that no one else would ever, ever notice for themselves.

The angulation on your upper right lateral is different to your upper left one. If the bracket has been repositioned this should correct but if will take time teeth don't tilt overnight so patience.
The other thing that shows on your photos is that there has been some wear on your teeth. This is completely normal but what happens when your teeth are straightened as a teenager, the teeth are pretty much as they formed so when they are treated they look perfect. When they have been in use for a while they wear and if they get straightened they won't look all magically straight on the edges. The edges can be levelled subtly by grinding and that will make a big difference.
First and most importantly get a review appointment with your orthodontist to discuss what is bothering and see what can be done.

Thanks for all your comments.

Millymollymandy i think you're spot on about the wear on my teeth. Its a shame.

Have you any idea how long it should take for the right lateral to correct now that the bracket has been repositioned? Im meant to have them off in less than 2 weeks. I think the likelihood is that at that appointment i'll discuss my concerns with him further and probably opt to have the brace on a bit longer.

When you say the edges can be levelled subtly by grinding do you mean that's something a dentist can do to make them look better? Or do you mean that the teeth have gone like that due to grinding of the teeth. Sorry lol

I am not an othodontist but laterals have short roots so will tip quickly, Realistically not in 2 weeks though.

Your orthodontist may do the grinding, your dentist definitely can. It's pretty normal after adult orthodontics as the straightening highlights wear.

I'd give them a call to discuss this as a debond is a fairly long appointment and it's likely you aren't going to want them off, so they may want to change it to an adjustment and chat.