[MERGED] Need A Good Orthodontist (All about Braces)

[smilewarrior]

- post edited because of content -

[The Phoenix]

Goodday to the orthodontists in the house.

I've been treated by braces for crowding of my lower set of teeth and a sllght overbite. In the process I had only one tooth extracted. I am very satified with the result and am currently on retainers.( 1 year now)

My latest xray shows an impacted lower molar L. (it doesn't hurt btw) My orthodontist wants it extracted. I asked her why she didn't require it the first time or during in the course of treatment. Her answer was that there was sufficient space between the next tooth and it really wasn't pushing the other teeth.

Is it mandatory I have that impacted molar removed in as much as it is not really pushing on the adjacent tooth? Is it safe to assume it has no effect anymore since re-alignment was succesful, its been 1 year and the teeth have maintained alignment. Is it also true there are some instances where retainers may have to be worn for life? I wear mine only at bedtime coz I almost choked to death when I accidentally forgot to remove my retainers when I ate.(***** gutom na gutom na ko nun and the lower retainer just popped out and lodged into the back of my mouth.). And, I've never gotten used to speaking properly with retainers on. My speech is perfect without it. In my profession, its very important people understand what I'm saying. So to avoid those problems I just wear them at night or the few hours I can manage to slip it in between.

[smilewarrior]

Unless necessary, the older orthodontists prefer to defer removal of third molars till after completion of braces. This is usually done if the patient was below 18 years old when the braces were placed or there is really no immediate need to remove them. They just want to spare you the added discomfort of third molar removal for the meantime.

Studies have shown that even in the absence of third molars, re-crowding of the lower anterior teeth can recur with time. As such, the role of third molars in late crowding has been put into question. Despite this, I'd actually encourage you to follow your orthodontist's instructions as I can't see you physically. She is in a better position than me to determine whether you need to have them removed or not.

It's important to wear your retainers full time for at least 1 to 2 years. After the removal of the braces, the teeth and the soft tissues surrounding your teeth need time to "settle" into their new positions. If they are not held properly into their new positions with a retainer, the original crowding and malpositions could return, though to a lesser degree.

Since it's been a year, it's probably ok to use it only at bedtime, but please make sure that you use it every day.

The process of holding the teeth together through a retainer is called retention. Some say retention is like wine, it gets better with time.

After a year of night time wear, you could then shift to night time wear every 2days for a year , then every 3 days for a year , till eventually 1x a week. Keep your retainers in a water filled container when not in use. Don't throw them away, you'll never know when you'll need them.

If your retainers are the type that can be removed, it's definitely a good idea to remove them during eating and when brushing your teeth and using dental floss.

Fixed retention ( retainers used for life) is needed when the teeth were excessively far apart initially, or if the teeth, particularly the lower anterior teeth were severely malpositioned / rotated. This consists of a metal wire bonded to the back surfaces of the lower (and sometimes the upper) front teeth. It is used on a case-to-case basis, whenever necessary.

Good luck.

[demented_guy]

Doc, tanong ko lang nung natanggal yung isang bracket ko, yung teeth ko parang pudpod. Yun bang parang nagkaroon ng roughness. Di lang basta roughness, talagang pudpod. Di pantay yung surface nung pinanggalingan ng bracket.

And Doc, tama lang ba na hindi orthodontist yung nag-aadjust ng braces? Yung asawa lang kasi ng ortho ko (dentist din pero hindi ortho) ang nag-aadjust

[smilewarrior]

The rough surface can and should be smoothened out using white stones and and rubber points or with an adhesive removing plier (if there's any orthodontic adhesive stuck to your tooth). This is usually done after all of braces have been removed, but from what you're saying, I'm assuming you still have braces.

Voice out your concerns to your orthodontist and give him a chance to explain himself, perhaps that way you could get peace of mind.

[echalite]

Hi smile warrior,

Recently *** kinabitan ako ng braces the problem is i had history of gum problems, *** teeth ko sa unahan mejo loose konti *** nmn at nakita nun onrtho when i had a dental xray kaya sabi nya mejo babagalan daw ang treatment sakin kc bka umaga daw ng hus2 ipin ko sayang nmn daw.

Is there a possibility na mawa *** uga ng teeth ko ano po dapat ko gawin ayaw ko matanggal *** ipin ko eh.

Minsan po kc tnitignan ko sa salamin kun malakas *** uga nya ***** mga 1mm-2mm *** po.

[echalite]

Question po.

Recently *** kinabitan ako ng braces the problem is i had history of gum problems, *** teeth ko sa unahan mejo loose konti *** nmn at nakita nun onrtho when i had a dental xray kaya sabi nya mejo babagalan daw ang treatment sakin kc bka umaga daw ng hus2 ipin ko sayang nmn daw.

Is there a possibility na mawala *** uga ng teeth ko ano po dapat ko gawin ayaw ko matanggal *** ipin ko eh.

Minsan po kc tnitignan ko sa salamin kun malakas *** uga nya ***** mga 1mm-2mm *** po.

[Misa Hayase]

Hmmm...have you consulted a periodontist? Was your gum disease gone by the time you had your ortho treatment?

[Misa Hayase]

echalite... please refrain from double and triple posting. Mababasa din namin message mo.

Doc Ira... may i request the merging of the two threads about braces? thanks.

[echalite]

Not yet ala n sya ngun before ako magbraces wala na *** pamamaga nun gums un nga lang *** ipin ko sa unahan umuuga ng konti *** nmn mga 1mm-2mm *****. Is there anything i could do *** mawala *** pag-uga nya. Kc chineck up nmn nun ortho ko sabi nya dahan dahan n nga lang daw *** gagawin nyang treatment.

[echalite]

Sorry po im just worried kc bout it eh magkakalayo kc *** threads.

[smilewarrior]

Echalite, aside from an Orthodontist, you'll need to see another specialist, a Periodontist.

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in managing and treating the structures surrounding the teeth, including the gums (gingiva) and the bone surrounding it.

It will be the periodontist who can determine if additional measures need to be taken prior to and during the orthodontic treatment. I can't determine how severe exactly your gum problems are, but if you do have them you'll need to see a periodontist regularly.

A periodontist and an orthodontist are not one in the same, just as a pediatrician and an ob-gynecologist are not the same.

You may one to look for a Periodontist ASAP before the condition of your tooth worsens, I also can't determine the severity of the mobility of your teeth. Actually, healthy teeth can move a bit in their bony crypt, what worries me is you mentioned you had a previous history of gum disease.

Please make sure you see a specialist, as that is what is needed in your case.

Hi Misa .

[echalite]

Yup pero cured na po sya bago pa man ako magpabraces as in wala na talaga, pero sabi nn ortho dahan dahan *** daw movement kc bka daw umuga ng hus2. Is there a way *** matanggal *** paguga?

[echalite]

Yup pero cured na po sya bago pa man ako magpabraces as in wala na talaga, pero sabi nn ortho dahan dahan *** daw movement kc bka daw umuga ng hus2. Is there a way *** matanggal *** paguga?

[smilewarrior]

Once a tooth becomes mobile because of gum problems, it will remain mobile for life.

In certain instances, the bone surrounding the tooth can be augmented through the use of bone grafts either artificial or natural. Grafting is done on a case to case basis. It's best to consult with a periodontist first for a better understanding of this treatment option.

[echalite]

Thanks smile warrior, I really appreciate your help.

[smilewarrior]

Misa and I are glad to be of help

[krissy818]

anyone of you know a good ortho? not so pricey? and has an accessible clinic???

am i asking for too much? lolz

[smilewarrior]

Looking for an orthodontists? Try the website of the Association of Philippine Orthodontists.

[sweet_samantha7]

does orthodontists do dental implants also?