Less than perfect results

[chell]

Hello everyone,

my case is unfortunately so complex that a "perfect" result is impossible to achieve and I will be left with (among other things) a lower midline that is off compared to the one in the upper arch. Is anyone else in the same boat (that is heading for a less than perfect result?).

I know that it's the best that can be done given the situation and that it will look a lot better than before but sometimes I still envy the people who are born with really straight, pretty teeth and feel bad about never having the same despite going through years of orthodontic treatment.

[jem]

Chell,

The people you envy with straight pretty teeth in all probability do not have 100% perfect teeth. Your teeth do not have to be 100% perfect in order to be beautiful. Loads of people have their midline a bit off, even after braces, and it is not noticeable.

Just hang on in there- in time you also will be envied for your straight pretty teeth. The only people likely to be aware of any remaining imperfections are you and your orthodontist.

Jem

[MrsCharisma]

Exactly what jem said.

We tend to critique ourselves in a way that we don't critique other people. While you are thinking person A has "perfect teeth" they are thinking you have perfect hair/nose/body type/height/etc.

Besides, very few people have "perfect" teeth. Your new smile will be unique to YOU and your facial features, personality, etc.

[Ambrosia80]

Exactly what they said!!

I also have an off midline and several other things that are not perfect, but I'm having my braces removed in four weeks.

Even celebrities really don't have perfect teeth. Their midlines are often off (either top and bottom not lined up, or not lined up with their nose). And their teeth are very often not symmetrical in position and/or length, etc. But we don't notice those things because we aren't looking for them. (I've only noticed these things recently because I have braces and look at everyone's teeth now.)

I try to show my husband the things that aren't perfect about my teeth and he'll say something like, "Oh, now that you mention it I do see it, but I never would have noticed that if you didn't point it out/if I wasn't looking for it/if you weren't in my face like that." LOL!!

NOBODY is going to analyze our teeth the way we do.

[sirwired]

I made a conscious decision to have midlines that didn't line up (to avoid getting surgery on two jaws, instead of one). Yes, if I'm looking, I notice, and my surely-otherwise-inevitable career as a model for 3M Unitek Victory brackets is now crushed. My lower jaw, on x-rays, is comically canted to one side. I never noticed in a mirror at all until I looked at those x-rays.

Seriously, we notice these things a lot more than people looking at us do.

[djspeece]

I made a conscious decision to have midlines that didn't line up (to avoid getting surgery on two jaws, instead of one). Yes, if I'm looking, I notice, and my surely-otherwise-inevitable career as a model for 3M Unitek Victory brackets is now crushed. My lower jaw, on x-rays, is comically canted to one side. I never noticed in a mirror at all until I looked at those x-rays.

Seriously, we notice these things a lot more than people looking at us do.

Great post, sirwired. I laughed aloud. Or is it "out loud?" Whatever.

[Felina Grimm]

There's no such thing as perfect. Anything other than how I had my teeth before would be a great improvement even if they're uneven and that goes for the gum line as well. I don't mean to offend anyone here, but people who have perfect extremely white teeth of the same size (especially of the veneer variety) creep me out. I don't know why.

[mapleleafman888]

Well chell, I can identify with you on having less than perfect results, but as I get further into treatment (and near the end) I realize that having all the orthodontic issues worked out may not be possible...it's ok to want a perfect smile/teeth/bite, but is it really possible? Maybe it's hard to accept that there are limitations...certainly I am in the same boat as you right now. Hope all goes well for you!

[mmkay]

I'm almost certainly not having my lower midline corrected, given when I asked the orthodontist about it his response was basically "I don't care about midlines". I'll be sure to raise it with him later on, but I'm more concerned with the aspects that affect facial aesthetics e.g. whether the teeth in the upper arch are too far forward.

I don't mean to offend anyone here, but people who have perfect extremely white teeth of the same size (especially of the veneer variety) creep me out. I don't know why.

Presumably because they are fake. The American celebrity obsession with blindingly white veneers is awful.

[Ambrosia80]

his response was basically "I don't care about midlines".

Hahaha! Your ortho and mine would get along great!

[sirwired]

I'm almost certainly not having my lower midline corrected, given when I asked the orthodontist about it his response was basically "I don't care about midlines". I'll be sure to raise it with him later on, but I'm more concerned with the aspects that affect facial aesthetics e.g. whether the teeth in the upper arch are too far forward.

My oral surgeon said that studies have shown that midline drift of 4mm or less (4mm is HUGE) is really not noticeable on casual inspection. Certainly a 4mm drift is blindingly obvious if you are looking for it, but it's not anything somebody not checking will ever see.

[mmkay]

Yeah I figured there would be evidence to back up his attitude, but he'll still need to explain what he'd have to do to correct the issue...which will probably make it clear why he's not going to do it :/

[bmueller]

If a shifted midline is your worst "imperfection" you can count your blessings! Nobody's teeth are perfect and it's true, we are our own worst critics. There are some things that are irreversible, some things than can only be fixed when you are a child or are completely "genetics is to blame" I reccomend reflecting on becoming the best "you" that "you" can be and accepting this. Once you do, you will love your final results, otherwise you will forever be disappointed, not just in your teeth but all aspects of your life.

Wishing you the best on your journey!