Teeth dont meet

[marklpool]

Hi,
I would really appreciate anything anyone knows about whats wrong with me, any advice would be great as I am nervous about going to my dentist as he hasnt noticed it and I have had regular check ups all my life and I feel so stupid telling him.
Since I was about 12, my front teeth have not come together, the back ones meet together fine, but the front 6 dont touch. The gap is biggest right at the front, where it is around 1cm, a huge gap that means I only smile with my top teeth. No one has ever noticed, but I have never been able to bite things properly and the gap is just getting wider and wider.
I am now 20 and it is something I think about everyday, but my dentist is a very imposing figure and I dont want to talk to him about it, does anyone know what kind of treatment is involved? I expect it would be complicated surgery and orthodontic procedures, but I am clueless.
Thanks ever so much in advance
Mark

 

[tvmscared]

Hi You have what I have-an open bite.I had major surgery as a teenager after 3 years of braces,but it came back.I have done some research on this but it really seems to come down to 2 choices-surgery or nothing.I have read about some new methods but I dont really understand them.You should see someone who has seen this before.Believe me,I know how much this stinks but you are not the only one.Good luck!

 

[brit]

I am now 20 and it is something I think about everyday, but my dentist is a very imposing figure and I dont want to talk to him about it, does anyone know what kind of treatment is involved? I expect it would be complicated surgery and orthodontic procedures, but I am clueless.

Maybe it's time to look for a new dentist with whom you can feel at ease discussing these issues? Remember even if you do discuss it and surgery/orthodontics or similar is mentioned, it doesn't mean you have to follow the advice....often with these things it is not essential to treat them.

You may want to pose a question in the Dentistry Questions section as well if you'd like one of our dentist's views.

If it is causing you pain and distress and making it difficult to chew then treating it may be worthwhile.
If you are in the UK, I expect such treatment from a hospital based oral surgeon would be free provided correction of the bite is deemed to be medically necessary which it sounds like maybe it would be. You would be able to have a general anaesthetic I'm sure but again remember even if you asked a dentist for a referral to an Oral Surgeon...even after you have seen the Consultant, you do not have to do anything....after discussing the pros and cons with a professional oral surgeon you would be able to make a better informed decision.
Best wishes.

 

[brit]

Hi,
I am nervous about going to my dentist as he hasnt noticed it and I have had regular check ups all my life and I feel so stupid telling him.

If you have had these life-long check-ups with this same dentist then he may in fact have been somewhat negligent in not discussing how this situation affects you and asking you whether you would wish to be referrred for advice about treatment options.

 

[marklpool]

Thanks ever so much for the advice. I think I will just pluck up the courage to talk to my dentist and see what he says. I just can't believe he hasn't noticed. Every check up I have had I think surely he's going to notice, I really should have told him but I didn't because I was an idiotic teenager. Will book an appointment on Monday and put this issue to bed.

Thanks guys