question about braces and bracket placement...?

Question

Whenever i see people wearing braces, the brackets are usually placed on the middle of the tooth, but i just got mine recently and the brackets are positioned very low on my top front teeth. Is that normal? I dont have the archwires put in yet (extraction purposes), does that have anything to do with it? it looks so bad! =)
Anyone wearing braces feel free to comment...

Answer 1

The placement usually is on the center of the tooth aligned down the long axis, or in position to direct the teeth or pull the teeth beside them into the desired position. Or it's possible yours just haven't erupted enough for it to look centered on the teeth. The teeth continue to erupt during your growing years, so right now you're teeth may be just a little bit short making bracket placement appear to be too close to the tissue or to the edge. The position sometimes gets changed during your Otho treatment as the teeth erupt further or come into alignment better, so don't worry. If your teeth are crooked they can look even more so with the brackets since their placement is lined up from the apex (or root) down to the incical edge, the orthodontist is just pulling everything into place and it takes some time for movement. Keep in mind that it's not just the part of the tooth that's visible that's being moved but the root of the tooth has to be repositioned in the bone as well. After awhile they won't look so odd, especially after they start moving and once the arch wire and colored elastics are placed. Anytime you are unsure or have a question, just ask your orthodontist. Believe it or not, we usually enjoy explaining something to a patient who really wants to know. Sometimes it's easier to show you with a model or mirror rather than to try to explain in writing. Visual reference is always a better way of explaining. Good luck with your braces! I'm sure you will love your new smile when it's all finished!

Answer 2

I wore braces for 4 1/2 years many years ago. I would venture to say that orthodontis are much more advanced today from when I had them.

My suggestion, ask the Doctor. Go right to the horses mouth as they say. I am sure he will give you an educated answer.

Good luck and make sure you brush often. Braces are a pain in the butt and can very painful at times, but the outcome you will have when it is all over will be worth a GREAT BIG SMILE.

p.s no chocolate or popcorn, these are the two most common problems with braces. Chocolate gets under the braces and cause tooth decay and cavitites and pop corn will knoch the braces loose. The outcome of either is not worth it.