Is it possible to reverse what orthodontists did to correct overbite now that I am an adult? (photos)

Question

I am 24 years old. In middle school I had buck teeth. I had three years of braces with rubber bands. They moved my teeth back, narrowed my once very wide (and pretty) smile, and filed down my teeth. As I’ve aged I’ve noticed my face has grown vertically and my cheeks have flattened. People stare like there is something wrong with the lower portion of my face. I feel like my beauty has been robbed from me. Is it possible to reverse what they have done? You can see the gummy bone where my teeth used to be.

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

Your case is a perfect example of why doctors who move teeth should NEVER do so until they understand completely what the ramifications will be on the patient's face, TMJ and airway. Beautiful straight teeth does not always result in a beautiful smile, beautiful face, healthy TMJ and patent airway. Based on what I can see from the limited photos provided, your original "buck teeth" problem was NOT the fault of your upper teeth but rather the fault of your lower jaw being too far back towards your neck. Had the original doctor repositioned the lower jaw forward and not removed upper teeth and retracted the upper front teeth then you would not be faced with the problems that you are describing. The good news is that much of what you don't like can be reversed. Unfortunately, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to undo everything. What we do know is that your upper dental arch is too narrow; this is most likely the cause of your mandible never coming forward as it should have. Expanding your upper dental arch is easy to do with a simple, comfortable, removable appliance. We know that the lower jaw is too far back (just look at your profile). This too can be corrected with a simple, removable, comfortable appliance. What may be next to impossible to accomplish is repositioning completely forward the part of your upper dental arch that was retracted after teeth were removed. This can be somewhat corrected but very difficult to fully correct. Much of your "flat cheeks" can be corrected with upper arch development. Poor upper lip support can be improved with upper arch development. Airway and TMJ health can be substantially improved by upper arch development and moving the lower jaw forward. Unfortunately, you will have to redo the braces after the upper arch is developed and the lower jaw is moved forward; however, the benefits derived from this type of treatment are well worth it in terms of better facial aesthetics, improved profile and especially improved TMJ and airway health.In choosing a doctor, you need to ask questions about the relationship of tooth movement to TMJ and airway health. The doctor should be familiar with epigenetic orthodontics, neumopedics, orthotropics, functional orthopedics, and/or myofunctional orthodontics. Beware that MANY doctors will tell you that what I am describing is impossible to accomplish. I was also taught that it is impossible but I have since learned that it very much is possible and in fact I do it with my patients every day in practice. Good luck!

Ira Shapira, DDS · Answer

The orthodontist did not create your narrow maxilla but also did not correct it.  I would suggest looking into Epigenetic Orthopedics with the DNA Appliance to orthopedically grow your maxilla creating the smile you desire and offering better soft tissue support.  This will also help the dark buccal corridors between you cheeks and back teeth.I do not think you would want to undo the orthodontics but rather achieve orthopedic growth.Do you have any TMJ or headache issues? Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAPM, FICCMOPast Chair, Alliance of TMD OrganizationsDiplomat,  Academy of Integrative Pain ManagementDiplomat, American Board of Dental Sleep MedicineRegent & Fellow, International College of CranioMandibular OrthopedicsBoard Eligible, American Academy of CranioFacial PainDental Section Editor, Sleep & Health Journal
Member, American Equilibration SocietyMember, Academy of Applied Myofunctional SciencesMember, Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

John McDonald, DMD · Answer

You appear to have teeth that are well aligned and well positioned within your facial structure.  Your upper teeth appear to fit well with your lower and you seem to have good lip support.  I am not sure why you would want to "reverse" this treatment so you could return to having "Buck" teeth.  Also, your face has changed since middle school and reversing those changes would probably require facial surgery.  On the other hand, if there are some aspects of your smile that you think could be made better, scheduling a consultation with an orthodontist would be a good first step.

Is it possible to reverse what orthodontists did to correct overbite now that I am an adult? (photos)

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Is it possible to reverse what orthodontists did to correct overbite now that I am an adult? (photos)

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Everything you need to know about Braces

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