BEFORE JUMPING INTO adult orthodontic treatment, consider the three dangers of nonextraction.
Danger #1: Inappropriate periodontal biotype
Depending on your bone and gums, your body may not be able to handle the dental arch expansion of adult orthodontic nonextraction therapy. The width, height, and thickness of your gums and the amount of bone surrounding your teeth will determine if non-extraction orthodontic therapy is possible for you. Your orthodontist will send you to a gum specialist, a periodontist, to determine the health of your gums and bone prior to the start of orthodontic treatment. To find a periodontist near you, visit the American Academy of Periodontology at perio.org.
Danger #2: Teeth already too far forward
Depending on your initial front tooth position, nonextraction orthodontic therapy may not be a healthy choice for you. In many cases, not extracting teeth creates an open bite where front teeth no longer touch or are able to function. This unhealthy tooth position affects your speech, bite, and your ability to eat a sandwich.
Danger #3: Your face could look worse
By moving teeth too far forward with non-extraction orthodontic therapy, your face could be made to look too full. Teeth moved too far forward could create a longer face, lip incompetence, "open lips", and a strained chin muscle with a "golf ball" appearance.
Before You Jump...
Check that your provider is indeed a highly trained and experienced orthodontist, a skilled graduate of a two or three year full time accredited university graduate school program, and a specialist and expert in adult orthodontics. To do so in the US, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org.
You Can Be Saved...
Even if you have experienced these conditions through prior orthodontic treatment, it is still possible to be saved by secondary orthodontic treatment (orthodontic treatment which is redone) by an orthodontist.
This case of secondary orthodontic treatment was completed by orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Gorczyca Orthodontics, in Antioch, California.
Doing orthodontic treatment twice wastes time and money. In adult orthodontics, it is much better to prevent these findings including gingival recession created by nonextraction adult orthodontic therapy than to try to correct it later.
When choosing adult orthodontic treatment, make sure you get not only the jump, but also a safe landing.
