Why is my mouth still narrow after having braces?

Question

I had braces for about 2.5 years. I'm 15. My mouth is still narrow, meaning I only see 6 teeth when I smile. This is bothering me. I want to show about 8-10 teeth when I smile. I got my braces off 3-4 months ago. I have the essix retainers. Should I tell my ortho she did a bad job? I spent 5,000 dollars. Will they put me on braces again just to widen my palate? Money is kinda an issue right now...

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD · Answer

Many people, with arches at correct curvature, still appear somewhat narrow.  If that was a chief goal, braces alone were not enough and a device that ONLY expands the arches would be needed.  A little late to voice the concern.Usually, if arches are curved correctly and you still feel things are too narrow, it is a soft tissue problem (lips or cheeks), so nothing to do with braces.  At 15, you are still growing and developing, so things may change as you get older.Your retainers won't make a difference.Essentially, you would be starting over.

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

Narrow dental arches could be an inherited trait or could also be caused by any number of environmental or habitual activities. For example: bottle feeding an infant rather than breast feeding can retard arch development, mouth breathing, thumb sucking or pacifier use can also adversely affect arch development, a diet of baby food and formula can retard arch development, improper tongue position can retard arch development, improper swallowing or sleep disordered breathing can cause retarded arch development, etc.As you can well-imagine, narrow dental arches are far more often environmentally impacted than simply an inherited trait.The only way you can know if arch width is all genetic or retarded growth is to make careful evaluations of diagnostic information. This all must be done BEFORE any treatment is started. Now that your teeth are straight (treatment with braces is completed) but you are still unhappy with the width of your smile you would have to go back and start over again to evaluate whether arch width is retarded growth or purely hereditary. If arch width is retarded growth you could still have your arches expanded and your smile widened. There are lots of things that must be considered before proceeding: do you have a tongue position problem? Are there improper swallowing issues? Were teeth extracted before your braces were done? Is the position of your lower jaw in relation to your upper jaw correct? Do you have lip support issues? Is your palate vaulted or flat? Are there facial development issues? Are you having any respiratory problems? Is your TMJ healthy? Etc.It is extremely important that anyone considering orthodontic treatment clearly communicate with their doctor regarding all of their treatment goals before any treatment is started. There is FAR MORE to orthodontic treatment than simply straightening teeth.Good luck!

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

Do you wish you had longer legs? real blond hair?  These are inherited traits that nothing can change. In the same way some people have narrow facial structures and narrow dental arches.  Orthodontists can change the arch shape a little, but trying to give a patient with narrow features a broad arch form is just doomed to relapse.  If the upper and lower arches fit together and are coordinated then that is the arch form you have...change it and you are asking for a lot of trouble!

Why is my mouth still narrow after having braces?

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Why is my mouth still narrow after having braces?

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Everything you need to know about Braces

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