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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Advice on braces needed.

22 replies

DaleTrimont · 12/04/2022 12:59

Dd is 14, nearly 15, and needs braces. At her appointment the orthodontist said that there are two options for her bottom teeth, shave some enamel off the side of each tooth to make room , or remove one incisor. He said that even with the shaving she then may need the single incisor removed if there isn’t enough space as her teeth move.
I don’t understand why this is only an issue on the bottom, as DH took her to the appointment.
I am worried as if she loses one incisor, then obviously her bottom teeth will not be symmetrical, eg she will have one central tooth rather than two. Ortho says this is unnoticeable, but I would notice this on someone. Has anyone any experience of this ? We need to decide what to to do, her appointment to have the braces fitted is soon, and I wonder if we need a second opinion ?

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ShirleyPhallus · 12/04/2022 13:02

I’d never heard of this before but have googled and the images look really odd! Have you looked at them yourself?

DailySheetWasher · 12/04/2022 13:08

My DS, now 18 and braces off, had an incisor removed.

It's really quite obvious when you look at the attached pic but in real life, honestly nobody notices. I certainly don't, and he has never mentioned it. I suppose if you're after perfection, this is not going to be your first choice though!

He has the option of getting the dentist to file it into a squarer shape... but again, as he's forgotten it's even there, it wasn't mentioned at a recent visit.

Advice on braces needed.
Original poster
DaleTrimont · 12/04/2022 13:08

No I haven’t, I will google now.

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LondonQueen · 12/04/2022 13:12

I'm getting braces soon, I need 3 bottom teeth removing to make room, it's apparently very normal to have teeth taken out when getting orthodontic work.

Original poster
DaleTrimont · 12/04/2022 13:16

Daily your DS has a very nice smile, but looking at images on google I agree with Shirley that it can look really odd.
I think maybe we need a second opinion , which is trickier as it means taking her much further away, but I have messed up teeth from bad orthodontic decisions and I really want to make sure we do the best for her. We are paying for them as well, so I don’t want to spend thousands of pounds and not have a good result. I am stressed about it, I thought it would all be very straightforward. I have never heard of the teeth shaving either.

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Littlemissprosecco · 12/04/2022 13:17

People rarely have a lip line which shows much of the lower incisors. It’s fairly common tbh.
She’s obviously just short of space to allow the teeth to align hence the shaving option.
If you’re unsure, you really must ask again at her next appointment

Original poster
DaleTrimont · 12/04/2022 13:17

I show a lot of my lower teeth when I grin, she shows fewer teeth but they do show.

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Original poster
DaleTrimont · 12/04/2022 13:19

@LondonQueen

I'm getting braces soon, I need 3 bottom teeth removing to make room, it's apparently very normal to have teeth taken out when getting orthodontic work.
Yes, I know that taking teeth out is common, I lost four, it is the asymmetry that concerns me.
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Littlemissprosecco · 12/04/2022 13:20

Have a look at some recent photos you have, that’s the way to really tell, as when you’re looking in the mirror it’s not your natural pose

hybridoaties · 12/04/2022 13:37

It's pretty standard my daughter had the top tooth next to the front one removed and then they moved the teeth round and shaped it. It looks fab! So much better than before.

Original poster
DaleTrimont · 12/04/2022 13:48

@hybridoaties

It's pretty standard my daughter had the top tooth next to the front one removed and then they moved the teeth round and shaped it. It looks fab! So much better than before.
Yes but in this instance your dd will still have the appearance of four central upper incisors, with a central line. My dd would have three lower central incisors, with one tooth in the centre rather than a central line aligning with the upper teeth.
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LondonQueen · 13/04/2022 01:57

You can have them shaved down to match the other side so unless you looked very closely you wouldn't notice the asymmetry.

MissedItByThisMuch · 13/04/2022 05:10

I was born with one incisor missing on the top. When I had orthodontic work they shaved down the canine on that side and it really isn’t particularly obvious at all. I’ve just counted my bottom ones - there’s one missing there too. That’s even less noticeable. People really won’t notice, especially on the bottom.

Original poster
DaleTrimont · 13/04/2022 15:18

When i look at images the three little teeth in the centre of the bottom row, with one tooth instead of two in the middle, look strange and slightly creepy to me, there are also apparently risks of it affecting the bite. The shaving of the teeth to shape them is not an issue in terms of appearance, but I am concerned it will weaken her enamel .
I am taking her to a different orthodontist just to get another opinion, but perhaps there are no other options.

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ShirleyPhallus · 13/04/2022 15:28

@DaleTrimont has the dentist said why they can’t remove back teeth then spread the teeth out using the space created from the back?

I agree that missing front teeth looks very odd

ChicCroissant · 13/04/2022 15:44

I don't think people will notice as much as you think they will, because it's not something they will look for - whereas you will definitely be looking for it.

My DD had teeth removed (symmetrically) for a brace, and I can't even remember which teeth they were now - I'll check later. She was very self-conscious about her teeth before and felt a lot better afterwards, so I hope you can sort something out for your DD as well. I've not heard of removing a tooth on one side tbh, even if it's the only option for your DD a second opinion would be reassuring. As you say, it's a big investment money-wise as well.

Littlemissprosecco · 13/04/2022 18:17

To remove back teeth to solve minor front crowding( which I assume this is) will complicate and lengthen the treatment

Madamecastafiore · 13/04/2022 18:21

It's really bad practice these days to take teeth out before getting braces fitted. Your teeth and jaw are the scaffolding for your face and when teeth are taken out it gives a weird sunken look as you age. See if you can find a dentist who dies orthotropics. It's a way of enlarging the jaw to allow for enough space for the teeth to be straightened without moving teeth.

Original poster
DaleTrimont · 13/04/2022 19:33

@Madamecastafiore

It's really bad practice these days to take teeth out before getting braces fitted. Your teeth and jaw are the scaffolding for your face and when teeth are taken out it gives a weird sunken look as you age. See if you can find a dentist who dies orthotropics. It's a way of enlarging the jaw to allow for enough space for the teeth to be straightened without moving teeth.
I will ask about this. I had four back teeth taken out and ended up needing braces again in adulthood as it caused gaps at the bottom and my teeth are still a bit of a mess. I just think that asymmetry right at the front looks really strange, she does show her lower teeth when she smiles.
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Madamecastafiore · 13/04/2022 19:51

Don't know where you are, we're in the SE but if you're near to us I can recommend you a fab orthodontist.

I wouldn't let anyone remove perfectly healthy teeth especially if they're going to give a smile that isn't symmetrical.

One of my DDs friends ended up having a space made and an implant as she was so conscious of the fact that she was naturally missing an incisor and it looked odd.

Mocara · 13/04/2022 21:16

16 year old sister coming to the end of 2yrs of orthodontist treatment (over bite ). She also had one tooth in her lower jaw set significantly far back behind her other teeth. The orthidontist said repeatedly through out her treatment that removing a healthy tooth will always be the very last resort. As her treatment went on, by adjusting the braces space was created and the tooth moved forward into the gap. She has 6mths left to go and her teeth are looking amazing.

Original poster
DaleTrimont · 19/04/2022 14:27

Madamecastafiore
Sadly not anywhere near there or I would have asked for the name of your person.
She has an appointment today with a different orthodontist to get another opinion, will report back on what they say.

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