Metal Mouth Message Board

I am worried about my treatment so far. I am a 42 year old female nearly 12 months in to treatment with Damon braces.
When treatment started I had moderate crowding in the lower arch and a a severely rotated lower left cuspid (180 degrees). 6 months into treatment the teeth on the lower left side had become very extruded (because of the rotated left cuspid?). My orthodontist then introduced a reverse curve of spee archwire to reverse the extrusion. My worry is that the movement involved in extruding and re-intruding the teeth might have caused root resorption. I have read that risk factors include, reverse curve of spee, allergies (due to inflammatory response), age, reduced estrogen . I tick all those boxes.

I'd like to know if the treatment looks normal - so many times I see photos of 6 month results and the teeth look amazing whereas mine look terrible. And whether it is likely that the treatment will have caused resorption. I am going to ask my orthodontist about getting an X ray. I will post photos as soon as I have permission.

The only way to tell if there is indeed resorption is via the xray. I'm not sure anyone here will be able to answer your question regarding your progressive treatment plan, and whether that has already caused root resorption. There is no sure way to tell who may be more predisposed to it unless you already have a history of root resorption or it runs in your family. So I wouldn't be worried as yet.

Also, things generally do look worse before it gets better, and everyone is different and would respond differently to the same treatment. I'd say, don't compare your treatment progress with others as their diagnosis and treatment needed may not necessarily be the same as yours.

We are close in age and I am worried about root resorption as well. I'm taking things reeeeeaaaaal slow, even if it means being in tx longer than originally planned. I'm a denta l assistant with training in orthodontic functions. I'd be interested in seeing your xrays when they are posted!

HI there,

Just a message of support to say that I have the same kind of worry and I am only on month 2 of std. braces. I'm of a similar age and also have the allergy/inflammation response. Although my ortho provided root re-absorption as a risk, not much was explained to me about it, so I'm not really sure what to look for as a sign of this occurring. I am going to keep an eye on your thread to see what you and other post. But for now, thank you for sharing your concerns openly. I feel a little less alone, so cheers for that.