Can teeth be moved forward in an adult?
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:35 pm
Can front teeth be moved forward in an adult?
Please help! At age 27, last year, I got top braces to correct an overjet. My top teeth actually were straight - still wore retainer from teen years - but my bottom teeth had crowded & drifted backwards, creating the overjet. So I had braces put on the top teeth to retract them. My orthodontist shaved down my front top teeth and moved them backwards... and the results, aesthetically, are awful. My top teeth are too far back for my face. The teeth are practically flat across and when I smile, it looks like a "cheshire cat" smile. And my face, which was a bit narrow to begin with, looks much longer and narrower - not to mention nose appears larger, top lip thinner and flat; overall the face looks as if it's sagging. I know it's "only appearance" but it's been such a dramatic change to my face and it's just devastating.
All ortho's I've consulted have said it's impossible to move the teeth forward (original ortho lost his temper when I voiced my concerns; I had the braces removed by another.). They've said adult palates cannot be expanded or lengthened since the bone has fused, and that nothing (short of surgery) can move them forward again.
Has anyone heard of adults having their teeth moved forward (not "tipped")? I would love to know how - braces, expander type appliance, or anything else? If so, any complications?
Thank you so much. I really don't know who else to turn to; so many ortho's have said nothing can be done. I appreciate any input you might have.
Please help! At age 27, last year, I got top braces to correct an overjet. My top teeth actually were straight - still wore retainer from teen years - but my bottom teeth had crowded & drifted backwards, creating the overjet. So I had braces put on the top teeth to retract them. My orthodontist shaved down my front top teeth and moved them backwards... and the results, aesthetically, are awful. My top teeth are too far back for my face. The teeth are practically flat across and when I smile, it looks like a "cheshire cat" smile. And my face, which was a bit narrow to begin with, looks much longer and narrower - not to mention nose appears larger, top lip thinner and flat; overall the face looks as if it's sagging. I know it's "only appearance" but it's been such a dramatic change to my face and it's just devastating.
All ortho's I've consulted have said it's impossible to move the teeth forward (original ortho lost his temper when I voiced my concerns; I had the braces removed by another.). They've said adult palates cannot be expanded or lengthened since the bone has fused, and that nothing (short of surgery) can move them forward again.
Has anyone heard of adults having their teeth moved forward (not "tipped")? I would love to know how - braces, expander type appliance, or anything else? If so, any complications?
Thank you so much. I really don't know who else to turn to; so many ortho's have said nothing can be done. I appreciate any input you might have.