I got my braces put on June of 2008, I have two years left. However with all of the issues I've had, I'm definitely considering taking them off and getting a retainer before matters get worse.
The problem? I was given a consultation by a Dr who said I could not get any extractions from the top, because my profile would be damaged (I have a larger nose) if my mouth were to get smaller, my nose would appear larger. Not to mention I have smaller lips, the extractions would decrease the appearance of my lips.
However he said I would need three extractions from the bottom, and potentially jaw surgery to bring my bottom jaw forward slightly. I told him I would not get the surgery and he said, I would come out fine but would be off by a cm or so. I dont seek perfection, so I agreed.
Then he moved, and I was seen my different orthos everytime I went in....I believe no one was following a plan...and mistakes were made.
Finally I get a ortho new to the company, though very experienced. Right off the bat I trusted and liked him. I told him I would not do any upper extractions, he said I would need to trust him in order to make things "right" with my mouth (so I dont sue, I guess he's thinking). A report is sent to headquarters, the bottom teeth should NOT have been extracted...there were 3 bottom teeth extracted. So now this ortho is opening up the spaces that were nearly closed on bottom from the extractions. AND he said, "you need to trust me" and sent me to get two upper extractions...I took a leap of faith, and decided he must know what hes doing.
NO! So I ask what the plan is since I dont want my profile changing dramatically, he said "I wish you would have told me sooner!" I could not believe it!
Now the changes are obvious in my face, though the spaces arent done closing. I cannot handle them closing anymore, because I am getting uglier by the day.
My teeth are all straigh and lign properly, if you dont put into consideration I have 5 empty spaces...two on top are obvious when I smile. I was thinking of getting my braces off and getting a retainer with a partial denture to hold me over until I can afford implants in the future. My husband wants me to sue, there are no ortho attorneys in town....I have no money to hire one anyway. I pay about $130 out of pocket since I have no insurance, I think I should stop treatment before my face gets worse, I mean...I'll have perfect teeth but a huge nose and a tiny mouth...I'll look like a dinossaur.
What do you think I should do?
OH PS: I may be losing a 6th tooth, because during the period of time when no one was really following a treatment plan...one of my teeth moved so far out of normal position (It was laying on my bottom lips) that now it is brownish...however the nerve is still alive, though it is a sign that it will die soon.
I'm so depressed. I always had terribly crooked teeth and dreamed of getting braces since I was 12, got them when I was 25...and I'm not too sure it was a good idea now.
Thank you!
