Archives for September, 2012

Hello there, I would like a second opinion on my orthodontic treatment and dental implants! When I was 10 years old I extracted my first molar/left lower jaw as it was so decayed, the empty socket, overtime shrinked and caused my face to be uneven! When I was 17 years old, I had to remove the rest of the First molars (upper left/upper right/lower right) because of decay! Today I am 22 years old and I can notice that I am starting to age prematurely as the gaps from the molar extractions are starting to shrink, causing my face to get smaller, hollow eyes, “melting face ” kind of effect so I was thinking to have bone graft (as I lost serious bone) and then dental implants. But there is one small problem! I started my orthodontic treatment 1 year ago, for a severe malocclusion from where I will have to have jaw surgery to complete the treatment. At the start of the treatment I mentioned to my orthodontist I would like to keep the (molar extraction) gaps open so I can have dental implants but at my appoiment yesterday she said she wants to close the gaps and that’s what we’ve been doing all along during the treatment. I don’t feel is a good idea as my teeth and jaw are very small anyway and I’m scared this will make it even worse../Plus looking in the mirror and seeing my face changing I don’t like what I see/aging prematurely. Now, my questions are: Is it a good idea for my orthodontist to close the gaps? If it’s not, with orthodontic treatment is she able to stretch the gaps back to original shape so I can have the dental implants? If yes, will I be able to have the dental implants during the orthodontic treatment or after/during the jaw surgery? I feel very upset/disstresed/depressed….i stopped going out/have avoided most of my friends, when meeting someone new they guess my age at 29/31 as I look so old….. I need a second opnion/answer please! Thank you very much!