As a teen I had four premolars (two top, two bottom) removed before wearing braces, which worsened both my facial aesthetics and smile. After doing some research I found that it might be possible to reverse this by expanding the jaws/dental arch, without necessarily requiring dental implants to replace the missing teeth. However, I don't understand how implants can be avoided, given that the arch will be bigger (more space) which should surely require more teeth to "fill up" the space?
November 28, 2011
Answer: Yes space can be made with Invisalign for implants.
Using Invisalign we can move the teeth forword in a serial progression so that the teeth move forward in the jaw bone. It would add to your profile a little as well. I guess it all depends on what you want from this type of treatment and the willingness to be in treatment for a while.
Helpful
November 28, 2011
Answer: Yes space can be made with Invisalign for implants.
Using Invisalign we can move the teeth forword in a serial progression so that the teeth move forward in the jaw bone. It would add to your profile a little as well. I guess it all depends on what you want from this type of treatment and the willingness to be in treatment for a while.
Helpful
November 28, 2011
Answer: Improving smile/facial esthetics with arch expansion
Extraction of 4 premolars for braces was very common in previous years. Now a days it is less common and the reason is exacly what your complaint is about. It pushes everything back to close the spaces and your profile changes.
You are correct in your observation that if you expand the arches you will create more space. The question is how much space? Can you live with small spaces behind the canine teeth?
It is possible to create several small spaces which can be closed with bonding or veneers, but this means doing more stuff to your teeth and additional cost (and will make them slightly bigger). If you have small teeth or if you wish to improve the shape and color of the teeth then it may be a good option. If you are happy with the way the teeth look now, then not a good option.
I recommend a couple of consultations from experienced orthodontists. I am not an orthodontist but you should ask them if it may be possible to expand the arches and move the teeth forward to give you a fuller profile without creating spaces. This would be ideal.
If you wish to create a full space for each extracted premolar and replace with an implant to get back to your original arch size, I'm going to advice against this. This would be quite difficult and would take a long time to do. Not to mention, very expensive.
Hope this helps
Dr. T
Helpful
November 28, 2011
Answer: Improving smile/facial esthetics with arch expansion
Extraction of 4 premolars for braces was very common in previous years. Now a days it is less common and the reason is exacly what your complaint is about. It pushes everything back to close the spaces and your profile changes.
You are correct in your observation that if you expand the arches you will create more space. The question is how much space? Can you live with small spaces behind the canine teeth?
It is possible to create several small spaces which can be closed with bonding or veneers, but this means doing more stuff to your teeth and additional cost (and will make them slightly bigger). If you have small teeth or if you wish to improve the shape and color of the teeth then it may be a good option. If you are happy with the way the teeth look now, then not a good option.
I recommend a couple of consultations from experienced orthodontists. I am not an orthodontist but you should ask them if it may be possible to expand the arches and move the teeth forward to give you a fuller profile without creating spaces. This would be ideal.
If you wish to create a full space for each extracted premolar and replace with an implant to get back to your original arch size, I'm going to advice against this. This would be quite difficult and would take a long time to do. Not to mention, very expensive.
Hope this helps
Dr. T
Helpful