not ready to say goodbye to my premolars – too sad
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Florencegal..your worries are all very valid! I think we all go through them. Have you asked your orthodontist to show you pictures of case studies he has done so that you can see how the extractions affected their look? I was shown numerous pictures of other patients and it helped me to decide what I wanted to do, maybe it will help you to.
full metal braces 4/26/05~~debanded 12/13/07!
12/13/07 bonded retainers + wrap around hawley
12/13/07 bonded retainers + wrap around hawley
I went through the same thing too - it seemed stupid to have spent 29 years brushing those teeth and then they were just going to be taken out (with never a cavity or root canal or anything). Plus even though they are the smallest teeth they could take, it seemed insane to think that the other teeth could cover up the gaps. The thing that helped me the most was learning that one of my friends had had the same thing done when she was younger, but you totally couldn't tell.
A big concern was also making sure that the dentist took out the right teeth, since it was permanent. But I already had braces on, so the ortho's office needed to remove the brackets. There was no way that the dentist could screw up and take the wrong teeth, since everything else still had wires and metal on it.
If this helps....even 3-4 hours after the extractions, I could absolutely feel the difference - it was like taking out a plug and now the rest of the teeth were free to move to where they needed to. The relief of the pressure was amazing. And now the gaps are slowly closing. I wish it could have been done without the extractions, but no one besides your dentist will be able to tell, once everything is finished.
A big concern was also making sure that the dentist took out the right teeth, since it was permanent. But I already had braces on, so the ortho's office needed to remove the brackets. There was no way that the dentist could screw up and take the wrong teeth, since everything else still had wires and metal on it.
If this helps....even 3-4 hours after the extractions, I could absolutely feel the difference - it was like taking out a plug and now the rest of the teeth were free to move to where they needed to. The relief of the pressure was amazing. And now the gaps are slowly closing. I wish it could have been done without the extractions, but no one besides your dentist will be able to tell, once everything is finished.
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences with me and understanding why this is so difficult for me.
noppi, you're right, the finality of it is what makes me so concerned about it.
RainyDay2, you're right that I'll just wish I had done it now.
florencegal, I'm glad I voiced your worries. Yes, it does seem very final. I look at my teeth in the mirror a lot, too.
It's not too late for you to schedule 1 or 2 more consultations to help put your mind at ease.
I also worry about how it will affect the look of my face. Some people in this forum love the way their face looks, some don't, and some see no difference. Ask your ortho how it will affect your chin, jaw, cheeks, & lip.
srg1977, I'm also concerened about them taking out the right teeth! I'm going to verify it with him before he gets started. I'll be awake for the procedure.
noppi, you're right, the finality of it is what makes me so concerned about it.
RainyDay2, you're right that I'll just wish I had done it now.
florencegal, I'm glad I voiced your worries. Yes, it does seem very final. I look at my teeth in the mirror a lot, too.
It's not too late for you to schedule 1 or 2 more consultations to help put your mind at ease.
I also worry about how it will affect the look of my face. Some people in this forum love the way their face looks, some don't, and some see no difference. Ask your ortho how it will affect your chin, jaw, cheeks, & lip.
srg1977, I'm also concerened about them taking out the right teeth! I'm going to verify it with him before he gets started. I'll be awake for the procedure.
I was surprised when my emotions kicked in about the extractions... but I know it wasn't wrong. They're your teeth, they're there for a reason- why should you have to part with them? And this whole mind-set was surprising also because one of the teeth was below the tooth-line in the bottom of my jaw. It would rub and cut my cheek open and I hated it for years, and yet, I hated to see it go.
I had a little cry-session right after I got the extractions and I was in my car, face filled with cotton, blood-taste in my mouth and feeling totally numb from the nose to my throat. I looked at my teeth, which they sent home with me and as I was spitting blood into the sink I started asking myself what I had done.
I still remember the day well because it was only three months ago, but I will say I really don't feel that way now. As much as I still have gaps in my mouth and those teeth are gone, I'm okay with it. The gums heal so quickly and close as though the teeth were never really there, it's like realizing that the mouth can in fact survive without the teeth- I just lost that attachment to them. And as my smile is correcting and looking better and better, I see how worth it it is. I'm the only one who knows I'm missing some teeth and in the end, my teeth are straight and my bite will cooperate.
Point being, I'd say an emotional response is totally appropriate, but in all honesty, it's a change that's really easy to deal with. It's like a scar - the cut at the time is terrible, and then you learn to accept and remember why it's there but not necessarily regret it.
I had a little cry-session right after I got the extractions and I was in my car, face filled with cotton, blood-taste in my mouth and feeling totally numb from the nose to my throat. I looked at my teeth, which they sent home with me and as I was spitting blood into the sink I started asking myself what I had done.
I still remember the day well because it was only three months ago, but I will say I really don't feel that way now. As much as I still have gaps in my mouth and those teeth are gone, I'm okay with it. The gums heal so quickly and close as though the teeth were never really there, it's like realizing that the mouth can in fact survive without the teeth- I just lost that attachment to them. And as my smile is correcting and looking better and better, I see how worth it it is. I'm the only one who knows I'm missing some teeth and in the end, my teeth are straight and my bite will cooperate.
Point being, I'd say an emotional response is totally appropriate, but in all honesty, it's a change that's really easy to deal with. It's like a scar - the cut at the time is terrible, and then you learn to accept and remember why it's there but not necessarily regret it.
Its awful to have good healthy teeth extracted. I was concerned when I was told I needed my 2 premolars out - I was not prepared for the worse - actually getting them extracted. The day I had my 1st extraction I was terribly depressed and really sad - although it sounds silly, I thought I had betrayed my body (and my nice healthy teeth that have been with me for 31 yrs). I could not bare to look at the extracted tooth on the dentists table, I felt so sad..... Now, that my gaps are closing and that I got used to not having those teeth, I am kind of OK. However, I will miss those 2 premolars until my gaps are completely closed and my mouth is perfect.
Its difficult.
Its difficult.