[Health Column] Reasons Why You Regret Orthodontics: 5 Truths You Must Know Before Getting Braces

 

Hello, I am a dental orthodontist. Oh Su-hwan This is the Director. 😊

 

While consulting with patients in the dental clinic, I often receive questions like, "Doctor, I really thought about this a lot before coming here, but what if I regret getting orthodontic treatment?"

 

Given that this treatment requires an investment of anywhere from one year to two or three years of precious time and costs amounting to millions of won, it is entirely natural for patients to feel anxious and cautious.

 

Many people search for reviews on the internet or social media before deciding on orthodontic treatment, but there are often cases where they are dissatisfied after the treatment is finished, saying, "My face before was better."

 

Today, I will candidly go over the top 5 common reasons for dissatisfaction or regret after orthodontic treatment, as well as the key factors you must check for successful treatment. 🦷✨

 

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1️⃣ Why is it dangerous to choose a dental clinic based solely on the lowest price discount event?

 

Orthodontics is not a standardized 'mass-produced product,' but a customized treatment that is completely different for each patient.

 

Recently, it is common to come across advertisements for "first-come, first-served discount events" or "lowest-price orthodontics" on social media and portal sites. However, orthodontics is not a "mass-produced product" purchased as a standardized item. This is because every patient is completely different in terms of tooth alignment, jawbone structure, gum condition, and even the strength of the muscles around the mouth.

 

Orthodontics is a long journey that involves moving teeth finely and precisely using braces as tools. In clinics focused on lowest-price promotions, there is a risk that medical staff will frequently change or a single doctor will handle too many patients, leading to a decrease in focus and responsibility for each individual.

 

 

2️⃣ Can adults definitely get a V-line and a celebrity face if they get braces?

 

The purpose of correction is not to change the skeletal structure, but to find the most natural smile within the original bone structure.

 

Many people look at edited before-and-after photos on social media and have the expectation that "just getting braces will make my jaw slimmer and my nose higher." However, physically changing the size of the jawbone or the shape of the cheekbones is the domain of plastic surgery or orthognathic surgery, and the entire skeletal structure cannot be changed solely through orthodontic treatment that moves the alignment of teeth.

 

For adults whose skeletal growth has already finished, the true purpose of correction is to find the most natural and harmonious smile within their original skeletal framework.

 

 

3️⃣ Will all treatment be completely finished once the braces are removed?

 

Teeth have a strong tendency to return to their original positions, so maintaining the retainer is the key to completing the orthodontic treatment.

 

Many patients believe that the day the orthodontic brackets are removed marks the end of all treatment and liberation from pain. However, teeth and surrounding tissues have a very strong tendency to return to their original positions.

 

If you neglect to wear the retainer that holds your teeth in place after removing your braces, your teeth can shift back into place in just a few months.

 

 

4️⃣ Are black triangles or cheek hollows side effects of incorrect correction?

 

Most of these are natural physiological phenomena, and if you know in advance, you can get through them without anxiety.

 

Some patients become anxious due to unexpected changes during the orthodontic process. A typical example is the "black triangle," where dark, triangular spaces appear between the teeth. This is often not due to faulty treatment, but rather a natural physiological phenomenon where previously overlapping teeth straighten, exposing the gum tissues that were previously empty.

 

In addition, as you avoid hard foods during the early stages of orthodontic treatment, your chewing muscles (masticatory muscles) may temporarily atrophy, causing your cheeks to appear slightly sunken.

 

 

5️⃣ What happens if I get braces to move my teeth significantly inward even though I don't have a protruding mouth?

 

Excessive backward movement can lead to 'buck teeth' and loss of lip volume.

 

Seeing the dramatic before-and-after changes from protruding mouth correction, there are cases where patients wish to move their teeth significantly inward even though they do not have a protruding mouth. However, if excessive posterior movement is performed when the tooth angle is normal, a phenomenon called 'buck teeth' may occur, where the teeth tilt excessively inward.

 

If the teeth are excessively recessed, it can reduce lip volume, resulting in a darker impression or making you look older than your actual age.

 

 

⚠️ Notice — The content of this column is intended for general informational purposes only, and results and side effects may vary depending on an individual's dental and skeletal condition. Please ensure that an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan are confirmed through an in-person consultation with a board-certified orthodontist.

 

 

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🗣️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q1. Can I get a defined jawline or a V-line effect from orthodontic treatment?

 

A. The shape or size of the jawbone itself does not change. However, as the teeth are aligned and the mouth shape softens, the balance of the lower face improves, so you can expect a visually cleaner jawline.

 

Q2. How do I resolve black triangles that appear during orthodontic treatment?

 

A. Depending on the shape of the gums and teeth, visual discomfort can be significantly improved by performing interdental reduction (interdental trimming) to bring the teeth closer, or through resin treatment and proper interdental brush care.

 

Q3. How long do I need to wear the orthodontic retainer?

 

A. It is recommended to wear the appliance every day for the first year after removal, except during meals, and continuing to take care of it, such as wearing it at night, is the secret to maintaining a beautiful smile for a long time.

 

Q4. Is orthodontic treatment available for middle-aged people in their 50s and 60s?

 

A. Yes, it is possible. Age itself is not a barrier to orthodontic treatment, and as long as the health of the gums and alveolar bone is good, middle-aged and older adults can receive safe and satisfactory orthodontic treatment.

 

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🎯 Conclusion

 

Orthodontics is more than simply aligning teeth; it is a process of finding the most harmonious and healthy smile within the patient's natural facial structure.

 

Rather than being swayed by vague expectations or advertisements for the lowest price events, choose a place that can accurately diagnose your tooth angles, skeletal structure, and gum condition. Sufficient communication with professional medical staff It is most important to go through this.

 

If you approach treatment based on careful selection and accurate diagnosis, you will surely gain the confidence to smile brightly and achieve satisfactory results.

 

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📚 source The medical content of this column is based on the guidelines of the Korean Association of Orthodontists and the Smiling Dentist Dr. Oh YouTube channel ( https://youtu.be/LPb0Dh-RwS0 It was written by referring to ).