Best Way to Correct Bad Orthodontics ?

Question

I had six month smiles done by a dental practitioner not a qualified orthodontist and ended up with teeth that are pulled very far forward, outside my natural arch making it very narrow as well as pushing my lips out and making my whole face appear fatter. I want to know the best way to bring my teeth back into their natural arch as well as hopefully get my facial aesthetics back? (thinner lip and philtrum and thinner cheeks) i've seen one orthodontist so far and he advised extractions.

Scott Frey, DDS · Answer

Uncontrolled flaring and numerous other compromises with the tenets of facial aesthetics is pretty common with the 6 Month Smiles gimmick. Really the best way to correct bad orthodontics like this is to share your experience through social media and word of mouth to save others from your plight. The world is a much more transparent place and that is a great thing for everyone.

	Now with specific regard to your problem...

	To bring your teeth back to their appropriate position you'll need some space. Your teeth flared forward in part because it often takes longer than 6 months to achieve a great smile with proper arch development (broadening of your smile). However, it looks like you'll need more space than what you'd get with additional arch development so you are looking at 3 choices:

	
		Extractions - Extractions are not always bad. In certain cases extractions can actually improve your facial appearance. I think for your situation extractions are definitely something you should not take off the table.
	
		Tooth re-contouring - Our diets used to be much more fibrous, and foods used to re-contour our teeth for us. Your orthodontist can go in between some of your teeth and reduce their widths to simulate this natural physiologic process and provide you with more space. 
	
		Pulling both arches backward with TADs - If you are completely opposed to the first two options, this is a distance third choice as it will take the longest of the three by a very wide margin.


	How much space you'll need to pull your teeth back in harmony with your face is something that only a comprehensive examination can solve, but at least now you know your options.

Clark L. Jones, DDS, MSD · Answer

I am glad to hear that you are now going to a qualified orthodontist.  You may want to see other orthodontists also for their opinions as well.  Extractions MAY be needed to get the result you want but It might be possible to use "proximal reduction"  (narrowing the teeth slightly) to gain some space and it might also be possible to retract the front teeth slightly by altering the arch form of both upper and lower arches.  If extractions are utilized  it is important to be very selective about which teeth to extract in order to get the right amount of retraction of the front teeth.  First bicuspid extraction will give the most retraction if you need a lot, second bicuspid extraction will cause less profile retraction but it might be enough if not very much retraction is needed.   It would be nice not to have to extract anything if it can be done that way.  The most important thing is the PLAN. Make sure whoever treats it has a good plan that sounds reasonable and   ask to see pictures of similar cases that they personally have treated to see the profile changes and be sure you like what you see.

Best Way to Correct Bad Orthodontics ?

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Best Way to Correct Bad Orthodontics ?

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