Undoing Extractions - My progress so far, with pics!

[SummerDec]

Thanks so much for your reply!!! I'm going to talk to my doctor next week see if he can also use springs on me to open the space.
Also I'm wondering if you think the extractions has any impact on the nasolabial area? Because I felt like mine became more obvious after the extractions and the main reason why I want to do the reopen with implants process is to fix it...Not sure if it will actually have any effects tho...

How's your teeth doing now? What's the latest progress? Keep us updated!! :):)

[chichi]

Your teeth are looking great! I can't believe how wide your smile is now! Can't wait to see the final result

[makaila]

Aww, it looks really good!!

[raf89]

Hi Angryhead,

great to read your story and looks like you are making a lot of progress.

as someone in a very similar situation I have a few questions for you! (I'm 24, live in UK, had 4 bicuspids removed as a teenager for braces, now very narrow arches)

How much did this whole new treatment to open the spaces, fill in the gaps etc. cost?

What kind of retainer will you need to wear when the braces are off?

How easy was it find an orthodontist to do this work in the UK? Would you mind telling me the name of the orthodontist you used?

It's easy to find bits and pieces of info out there but I'd love to hear from you as our situations seem very similar.

Thanks!

[Berryxiao]

congratulations!
why so many people got teeth extracted when you were not a adult?

[angryhead]

My orthodontist is in London, and to be honest he's not a specialist in this area. Dr Hang would be a much better bet, as he's an expert in the field! And hopefully a bit closer to you, haha.

[angryhead]

Also here's another progress pic My teeth and bite still aren't perfect but there is a definite improvement in the shape of my jaw, as well as an increase in lip support.

[angryhead]

i've actually never had cheekbones sadly - they just don't seem to run in my family! and my face has widened, but it's still somewhat narrower and longer than the average person's face. so i wouldn't say its been a dramatic change... but there has been an improvement and i do feel more confident in myself! it sounds like, for what you want to accomplish for your daughter, she'd be best served by jaw surgery. if you're going to go through all the time and expense of braces yet again, and if the ortho is unable to achieve the desired results, that would be quite heartbreaking. and it sounds like the growth of your daugher's face was very much altered, so braces might not entirely rectify the situation. there's an amazing orthognathic surgeon in belgium who has done some work that might interest you, and that could very well benefit you and your child. here is a link to some of his cases...

http://www.mauricemommaerts.eu/en/pathology.aspx
be sure to scroll down to the subtitle "correction of narrow faces" as this seems the most relevant to you. he also does maxillary impactions and osteomies which greatly help with decreasing length and creating width. i hope that helps! let me know if you have any other questions

[angryhead]

my mandible has come forward a bit, as has my maxilla. which i'm very happy with. but if i'm being totally honest, had i the choice, i'd gone with jaw surgery. i'm going to be in braces for roughly 3 years, and then i'll need to get implants for the spaces, so when all is said and done it's costing me only a little less than jaw surgery would have. and with jaw surgery you have a much more definitive and pronounced improvement. in your daughter's situation, it sounds like braces may help, but it's not a sure thing. at the very least, try sending dr mommaerts some photos of your daughter, explain the situation, and he will most likely do a projected photo of what your daughter will look like with surgery (he did this for me, since i was too far away for an in-person consultation.) even if you don't use him, at least you'll have an idea of how she'll look after the procedure. if you PM me your email address i can send the before/after he did for me as well.

this might just be a guess, but your daughter might be hesitant to get anything done because going through braces again as a teenager/young adult is not an appealing prospect. at least the surgery brings an immediate change, and the recovery time is only 6 to 8 months. which is more favorable than having to be in braces again for YEARS.

for me personally, if i had the emotional and financial backing of my parents, i'd have gone for the surgery. my mom felt it was too invasive though, and also the payment plan wasn't as flexible or giving, so i went with braces. at the very least, it's worth exploring both options. orthodontics definitely focuses more on the dental side of things, and it sounds like in your case it's more structural, which would be better served by surgery.

[malilou25]

Hi angryhead,

Any more progress pictures?
I am also trying hard to find an orthodontist who will reverse my extractions after 2 failed treatments with braces....

Also I'd like to ask if your orthodontist is using a functional appliance such as the ALF to expand your upper and lower jaw...

Thank you

[Liblib2]

[quote="angryhead"]Also here's another progress pic :) My teeth and bite still aren't perfect but there is a definite improvement in the shape of my jaw, as well as an increase in lip support.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/YOXo5An.jpg[/img][/quote]

How is your progress right now? And what devices do you use to achieve those results? I have the same problem as you and want to go on the same path.

[tigerjaw]

*Bump*

I'm in the same boat, desperately wishing to reverse the damage done to me by extraction orthodontics. I am curious to know if you are reopening spaces on the bottom as well as top and if you still have your widsom teeth?

[singer123]

Hi,
Can I ask where you're doing this orthodontic work? I need to do the same!!
You look great with the new expansion.
Sincerely and thanks
Clara

[UnhappyCamper]

Hi Angryhead,
I am also based in the UK and am looking to get reversal treatment. Would you mind PM ing me your ortho details. I am having a lot of trouble finding any ortho who will take on this case.

[justices]

HI


Please could you let me know where you had your extractions reversed as im in the UK and really struggling to find an orthodontist who can do this. Thanks Simon