Jaw Problem / I hate my smile - Dental Health Message Board

Kulminati · 01-03-2009, 01:42 AM

Hi all. I'm a 22 male and am new to these forums. I wanna start off by saying that this is a wonderful website with tons of useful information and more importantly support from people from all over.

Ok, here are my problems. Everytime I smile my upper lip covers up most of my upper teeth, making it seem that I just have empty space inside my mouth and no teeth. I am assuming its because my upper jaw is too high (?) ... this also causes my face to get sort of 'squishy' or vertically abnormally small when I bite down. This further causes my upper lip to protrude out when I bite down ... thereby giving me a not too attractive look.

My second problem is that my upper teeth are also not alligned properly. The right side of the upper row seems to be higher than the left side. So when I smile big enough that my teeth can be seen, only the left side of the upper row can be seen and not the right side. Mind you, by smiling big I mean I basically have to smile unnaturally wide and high to see my teeth.

Now I do have braces (13 months so far), but they don't seem to be correcting the problem of balancing my upper teeth.

I know braces can't make my upper teeth / jaw move down so I can easily see my teeth when I smile or add any vertical length to my face. I just wanted some feedback from you guys as to what I can do to rectify this situation ... I'm really frustrated over this and have been for the last 8 years.

Thank you!

Kulminati · 01-03-2009, 11:34 PM

Anyone? I could really use some help.

legallyblondied · 01-03-2009, 11:42 PM

Hi....i am not sure of your age, but the braces will help in straightening your teeth. I would leave your jaw alone...layman's advice, but i would definitely talk to your dentist about crown or
tooth lengthening....they can do this with bonding as well but it does
wear out...Crown lengthening or tooth legthening will allow your top
teeth to show when you smile.....go into different dentists for a
consultation regarding your smile and the consults should always
be free...make sure you ask before you go in so you go hit up with
a bill....Karen

bocmember01 · 01-04-2009, 12:01 AM

You seem to have very specific concerns about your teeth and smile and should've addressed them with your orthodontist prior to commencing treatment. Sometimes, it's necessary for the orthodontist to work with an oral surgeon to achieve the results you mentioned. You need to talk to your orthodontist.

mariavoici · 01-20-2009, 01:38 PM

I can relate to being unhappy with your smile - its something that I have battled my entire life. I was born with a severe underbite and had major jaw surgery in my teens plus five years of braces to correct it for both cosmetic and functional reasons. I am not having to deal with teeth that have moved and periodontal disease. I have found that the biggest help for me regarding this has been to take good care of myself (healthy diet, exercise, sleep) and to try an work on my sense of self-esteem as I have realized that my smile and teeth will never look like I want them to.
That being said, regarding your concerns : have you really expressed your concerns to your orthodontist? Has he or she explained to you the results that are possible to be achieved through braces? I have found that I have to ask very specific questions from my dental health providers so I know what is going on and what they can do for me.
Braces straighten teeth and align the bite (how the teeth fit together) - but they cannot change the shape of the teeth. You may want to look into porcelain veneers once your braces are off to get the desired tooth shape. Beware these are very expensive - but are the closest you can get to a natural looking tooth. (My mom makes them for a living and I have seem cases of hers where smiles are transformed.)
Your concerns about the shape of your face may be more of a plastic surgery question than a dental one. Maybe your orthodontist can refer you to the right professional to help you.
In the meantime, remember to practice good dental hygiene while your braces are on (flossing daily,etc) and once you get your braces off - wear your retainers as prescribed - you dont want your teeth to move after all that time and money. And when dealing with orthodontics, my experience has shown that patience is a virtue. You may need more than 13 months to see the results you want.
Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kulminati

Hi all. I'm a 22 male and am new to these forums. I wanna start off by saying that this is a wonderful website with tons of useful information and more importantly support from people from all over.

Ok, here are my problems. Everytime I smile my upper lip covers up most of my upper teeth, making it seem that I just have empty space inside my mouth and no teeth. I am assuming its because my upper jaw is too high (?) ... this also causes my face to get sort of 'squishy' or vertically abnormally small when I bite down. This further causes my upper lip to protrude out when I bite down ... thereby giving me a not too attractive look.

My second problem is that my upper teeth are also not alligned properly. The right side of the upper row seems to be higher than the left side. So when I smile big enough that my teeth can be seen, only the left side of the upper row can be seen and not the right side. Mind you, by smiling big I mean I basically have to smile unnaturally wide and high to see my teeth.

Now I do have braces (13 months so far), but they don't seem to be correcting the problem of balancing my upper teeth.

I know braces can't make my upper teeth / jaw move down so I can easily see my teeth when I smile or add any vertical length to my face. I just wanted some feedback from you guys as to what I can do to rectify this situation ... I'm really frustrated over this and have been for the last 8 years.

Thank you!