Hello Dr Patel.

I am hoping that you can advise me with regard to my enquiry. I am 27 years of age and never had braces fitted as a child.

During childhood when second set/adult teeth were coming through one of my incisors erupted through roof of mouth behind my canine and was putting pressure on it and pushing it forward or outwards.

Due to this I had that tooth extracted and was advised by my dentist to have a fixed brace fitted to straighten my teeth.

Now, many years on I have realised that I should have had it done but because I didn’t I have misaligned teeth now where my 2 front incisors are offset and are actually not in the centre of my mouth but a whole tooth over to the left where the removed incisor should have been. I now have 5 teeth that are visible on top jaw instead of an even number of six (canine and incisors).

This has caused me great misery as I have not smiled with my teeth in a photo for over 10 years as they look out of line and are odd. Recently I went to visit an Orthodontist and was told that with a fixed appliance or brace I could have the 2 incisors moved to the centre of my mouth to line up with nose but in order to achieve this, the other remaining incisor that would have been paired with the extracted incisor would have to be removed also.

This essentially would cause a gap between my incisor and canine so that my 2 front teeth can be pulled into new position via brace and give me symmetry which is what I want.

My concern is that with a tooth missing (approx 8mm) is it really possible for a brace to shift that gap closed and pull my teeth to centre?

Surely due to the fact that I am 27 years of age and all adult teeth have come through and jaw bone has stopped growing that the bone is set solid and it is impossible to close a gap where a tooth has been removed?

I am getting mixed opinion and being told that a brace simply cannot achieve this and I would have to have either an implant to disguise the gap or have veneers fitted to mask the fact that my 2 front incisors are offset.

Also, I have a deep bite and was told even before tooth extraction I would have to be much patient and have a fixed metal brace on lower teeth to correct the bite and lift up teeth so that end result will be satisfactory.

What are my options and will braces fix the removed tooth and shift the teeth to create a balanced smile?

Thank you.