Extraction Orthodontic Nightmare

[JumpTheDitch]

Hi Momonamission, I was really sorry to hear your story. I don't have a lot of time to go into too much detail, but I wanted to post my experience so that it might give you some hope, or at least some ideas on where to start. I too emailed Dr Hang and a number of other orthos who deal with 'undoing extractions' (for want of a better phrase).

I consulted two neuromuscular dentists (similar approach to a functional orthodontist), and regularly see a cranio-facial chiropractor who specialises in head/neck pain. I can only speak to my own experience though, and I recommend you find a practitioner you can work with.

I had upper bicuspid extractions to treat overjet when I was in my late 20's. I subsequently developed problems over the ensuing years, relating to a retracted mandible (see thread on "Re: is it necessary for me to have my 2 teeth extracted?" for details).

Eventually my regular chiro referred me to a cranio-facial specialist, who sent me on the neuromuscular dentists for imaging, testing and further diagnosis and treatment.

I had splint therapy for about 3-4 months, along with regular cranio-facial chiropractic appointments (where he would literally pull my lower jaw back out of deep into the joint, only for it to slip back in again the second I 'bit down' or closed my molars together. It was heartbreaking for me to have the misalignment addressed, and to momentarily feel much more comfortable, only for my physical 'bite' to cause instant relapse. Once I started with the splint though things really improved).

After the splint phase, I moved into Phase II, where my upper teeth were expanded sagitally (forward), reopening the extraction spaces. It was phenomenal to see how quickly the spaces sprang open - my dentist and CF Chiro both commented repeatedly on how successful the expansion was. My dentist said previously she'd had to use reverse-pull facemasks to achieve the forwards-expansion. Luckily a new device has been invented which (for me anyway), achieved it much less obviously, and I can only imagine more comfortably! I have posted pics in the past, so feel free to wander through my old posts and dig out the pic of it. It's called a CD Advancer.

The CD Advancer was combined with really high molar build ups (to replace the height of the TMJ splint in order to keep the TMJ discs out of their 'slipped' position) and lower braces with FRLA to help encourage lateral development and discourage narrowing. There was some refinement of the build-up height, and they need topping up from time to time, but generally speaking my headaches and certainly migraines have virtually disappeared, and I no longer walk into walls!

Once the CD Advancer was out, I went back into upper braces. Once the alignment, etc is right, the plan is to chain together the front six teeth to 'gang up' on the molars one-by-one and drag them forward into the extraction gaps. Once all the teeth are in position, the molars will be 'equilibrated' (like IPR) to allow them to 'mesh' to achieve occlusion. I'll have permanent retainers to finish.

I know there are others on the board who are having their extractions reversed using other methods, so there are some options out there for you to consider. I would recommend you find someone who deals with head/neck/jaw pain, in particular someone who sees the body as a whole unit (the head bone is indeed connected to the neck bone, back bone, etc, etc!). For this reasons I have found neuromuscular dentistry helpful, particularly as functional orthodontistry is not so big in my part of the world. You could try contacting the American Academy of Crainofacial Pain (AACP) or Tufts University in Boston (who run courses in Craniofacial Pain at their school of dentistry). You may be able to locate a practitioner in your area through them. I have found specialist chiropractic treatment helpful, and I know of one other person on this board with TMJ (NOT extraction related TMJ) who found relief through trigger point release therapy. Possibly a myotherapist who deals with craniofacial issues may be of some help. I would also recommend getting some CT imaging and related TMJ testing done (decibel recording of TMJ noise, jaw openings, etc) so that you have a starting point for what the current status of your daugher's TMJs, and jaw-to-jaw relationship is. Then you can hopefully work with someone on a plan to work out what her best achievable outcome would be, and the best method to get her there.

While your daughter's situation is obviously a cause of sadness for you, be comforted that there are options for you to explore to improve her outlook. I can totally understand your reaction as a parent to take guilt upon yourself for allowing someone to undertake treatment on your daughter which you feel was detrimental, but you have to be reasonable with yourself. Did you take her to some backroom charlatan whose 'credentials' were typed on scrap paper? Or did you go to a reputable, highly trained professional in whom it was entirely reasonable that you placed your trust? The best thing you can do for your daughter and for yourself is fully arm yourself with the facts - what is the status of her jaws/TMJs/etc? Who can you locate who will be able to help her? What tools can be employed to help mitigate the problem? You'll feel better once you feel more in control of the situation, and while it's a long journey back to a better physical state, once you get started you'll both probably feel better.

Good luck!

[jenim]

Lots of discussion on this thread, although I'm missing all that the OP posted!

Question to the Moderator:
Are you able to restore the deleted posts by the OP, so I can see what concerns and issues the mom was seeing with her 16 yr old? This will help me size up the detrimental effects that I should watch out for in my daughter, in whom I'm already seeing some issues caused by early extractions. Is there a way I can reach out to the mom - via Pvt message or email?

[bbsadmin]

In January, the person who started this topic asked to have their posts and their account deleted. They cannot be restored. This topic will now be locked.