Tag Archives: six month smiles

Dealing with Congenitally Missing Lateral Incisors

My daughter never received one of her adult lateral incisors. When the baby one fell out, our dentist said not to worry about it because the adjacent teeth would shift to fill in the spot. While they did, it left a bit of a gap, which leaves my daughter feeling embarrassed by her smile. This is her senior year and I’d like her to be able to go off to college feeling good about her smile. I spoke to another dentist and they recommended we open up the space and then place a dental implant there. I don’t think she’d be too keen with a mouth full of braces during her senior year of high school. Is there another option?

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

a smile with missing lateral incisors
A smile with canine teeth where the lateral incisors would normally be.

The above image shows a smile with missing lateral incisors. In the place of them are her canine teeth. As you can see, the smile doesn’t look normal. Instead, it is almost vampiric. Your daughter’s smile would look even stranger with one canine tooth. The advice her childhood dentist gave you was horribly bad.

The second dentist’s advice is sound. Your daughter has other choices aside from a full mouth of metal. Her first option is Six-Month Smiles which will allow her to fix her front teeth quickly. A second option is for her to get Invisalign. These use clear aligners instead of wires and brackets. Most responsible teenagers do very well with these. Then, when that is ready, a dental implant will be a fantastic idea.

What Her Original Dentist Should Have Done

Ideally, when her baby tooth came out and there was no adult lateral incisor, her dentist should have provided her with a dental flipper. This would have held the spot open so when she was old enough you could have just placed the dental implant. Now, because of his bad advice, you are having to add orthodontics to the mix.

I say this as a cautionary measure to others reading this post in two ways. First, in giving them the correct way to handle this situation. Second, in knowing that anytime you have a major dental decision to make, there is never any harm in getting a second opinion before moving forward.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Clear Braces versus Invisalign

This may sound strange, but I didn’t know “clear braces” and “Invisalign” were different things. I talked to my dentist about doing Invisalign and he sent me for a consultation with the orthodontist, who then began talking about clear braces. We went through the whole process of treatment plans, impressions, x-rays, insurance, and they even took my down payment. I don’t know if I ever should have caught on, but I know they never explained it to me.

So, the big day comes where I think I’m getting my aligners and they start messing around with my teeth, so I finally ask if all that is necessary since I’m just there to get my aligners. That’s when they tell me they’re putting real braces on my teeth.

I’m 34. I work in a professional setting. I didn’t want regular braces. So, then the orthodontist comes back over and explains how I really have to use regular braces to correct my smile and how he’s certain he explained that to me. He didn’t. I know he didn’t. But, he makes his case and I go along with it. Disappointed, but I figure, at least they’re clear.

We’re a month in and they’re a hideous shade of yellow. I look ridiculous. My teeth look gross, like I don’t brush them. And no amount of brushing them is helping.

Would this have happened if I did Invisalign? Should I have insisted on it? And, if I should have done that, is it too late to switch?

Thanks,

Eric

Dear Eric,

Invisalign aligner
Invisalign: The adult solutions to braces

I’m sorry you are having such a frustrating experience. Theoretically, any kind of plastic can yellow like that, but you don’t see it as much with aligners because people aren’t supposed to be eating or drinking with them in and you replace them every couple weeks.

You May Still Be a Candidate for Invisalign

The good news is, you still may be a candidate for Invisalign. While it used to be only the most ideal cases were candidates for Invisalign, these days they can take on all but the most challenging cases.

It sounds like this orthodontist’s communication skills are lacking. You can ask him about switching over, but it doesn’t address the underlying issue—they didn’t give you all the information you needed. It’s worthwhile to have a consultation with another dentist or two to see if you’re a candidate for the aligners.

You Might Also Be Able to Fix Your Yellow Braces

Usually, the bands get changed out once per month, so you’re either due for a change or coming due for one. That will give you a chance to start fresh. Unfortunately, if you have habits like smoking, it’ll be an uphill battle to keep them clear.

Ultimately, the choice is yours—only you know whether it’s worth the trouble of trying to switch at this point. However, if you’re a candidate, you can switch at any point. If you decide to switch dentists, which I would not blame you for, he is ethically obligated to send all the diagnostic x-rays, etc. to your new dentist.

This blog is sponsored by Lafayette, LA Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.