HomeAnswersDentistryorthodontic treatmentShould I consider self-ligating braces in my upper arch too?

Can you use self ligating braces for orthodontic correction?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Prerna Jain

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At August 16, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 6, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My left upper and lower wisdom teeth were removed at six and five months. The upper tooth for cheek biting and lower due to pain and infection. I have impacted left first premolar and adjacent baby molar tooth, which was present and was removed four years ago. Initially, I consulted an orthodontist in a dental college, who suggested a waiting period of two months for the exposure and bracket placement on the impacted tooth. But that orthodontist only used the old conventional type of braces. After that, I learned that self-ligating braces are faster than the old ones. So I changed to a new orthodontist in a private clinic. This orthodontist has a dental clinic in another city he does mainly clear aligners and lingual braces. When he examined, he told me I had a class 2 bite and started self-ligating braces in the lower arch since I have an impacted lower left first premolar. Braces treatment began three years ago, and the impacted tooth is still not exposed. I feel that decision to have self-ligating braces is not correct. I noticed that my left incisor has moved, and the bracket placed on the left canine is lower than other teeth; I feel that the brackets are incorrectly placed. The brackets were initially placed by his assistant. So, I am concerned whether I am in the right hands. Can you please give your opinion regarding the ongoing braces treatment? In the upper arch, the second left molar is tilted out to the cheek side and does not touch the lower left second molar tooth. Which is the better treatment to correct this? I have an impacted right upper and lower molar. The orthodontist told me that he would try to move up the impacted first molar but I am unsure about it. I did not start with the upper arch treatment as I am nervous that some problem may occur. Also, the orthodontists said that the right upper wisdom tooth needs to be extracted. Should I change the orthodontist or continue with the same? I am enclosing my OPG and lateral cephalogram for your reference. Please give me your opinion on the ongoing treatment of bracket placement, braces for bite corrections, and the second molar tilt.

Answered by Dr. Prerna Jain

Hello,

Welcome to Icliniq.com.

I am not able to open the pictures you shared. Please try sending them again.

Meanwhile, as I have suggested earlier, you can go for braces in both upper and lower or the lower arch alone to correct impacted premolar and then go for clear aligners. The minor height difference between incisor and canine is nothing to worry about. This can easily be aligned during treatment. It is not a reason to distrust the orthodontist so early in treatment.

About the wisdom tooth extraction, I can recall that it was to improve the midline. So if you would like to correct it, as recommended by your orthodontist, there is no harm in removing them. If you do not wish to do that, you should accept that the midline might not be correct. Or ask the orthodontist if he can modify the treatment plan to get this corrected by alternate means. I hope this has helped you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Prerna Jain
Dr. Prerna Jain

Dentistry

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