My dentist is closing my missing teeth gaps with braces but I want dental implants. What should I do?

Q.
Hello there, I would like a second opinion on my orthodontic treatment! 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 lose its structure, hollow eyes, “collapsing 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? Thank you very much!
A.
If the gaps are closed the facial support from that area of your face should be restored. The hollow eyes comment would make me suspect that support above the cheekbone/ Zygoma should be investgated. This is more related to a plastic surgery opinion.

Regards Rob

Dr Rob Tennet St Johns Dental Practice 18 Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham, B2 5QJ Web: www.e-dentalpractice.co.uk
November 5th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Alina Says :

Thank you for answering my question! I have asked the same question another dentist and his answer was similar! Now I know what to do! Thank you!

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