Two orthodontists, two different opinions?

I have an overbite, a 7mm overjet, and maxillary and mandibular crowding of 4mm. One orthodontist says that improvements in my overbite and overjet cannot be completely corrected without extracting teeth or jaw surgery. The other orthodontist says that jaw surgery isn't necessary and neither is tooth extraction.


I'd just like to hear some opinions from professionals or those who have had similar cases as mine.

Two orthodontists, two different opinions?
You went to two orthodontists and only got two different opinions? You're lucky! (haha)





Ask to see projected results before accepting either treatment.





Thank you for the details, but without seeing you and x-rays, nobody here will actually be able to answer your question. Presonally, I would lean towards the one who does not recommend surgery, because it is a horrendous surgery that nobody should go through unless it is absolutely essential. In my opinion.
Reply:Prior to braces, I received 2 different opinions. Go and get you another opinion. See what the third one says and compare and contrast with the others. Jaw surgery is painful but worth it in the long run if needed. One of the orthodontist I saw told me I needed jaw surgery also but the other 2 said "no". I'm glad I didn't go to those drastic measures just to "look better" he said. I hope you make the right choice
Reply:Dentistry is a very subjective profession. Opinions on many dental/ortho procedures will vary, as you have discovered. There are many things to consider....How old are the orthodontists, is one younger than the other? The science of dentistry has changed over the years so what may have been the treatment fifteen years ago, is not necessarily what they are teaching now. It also depends on where the orthodontists received their specialty training. Different areas of the country sometimes teach different things. From what I have researched a common practice many years ago (sometimes now depending on the case) was to remove (extract) first premolars to make room for the teeth, however many people that we have seen in our office that have had this procedure have what we call a collapsed or collapsing bite. And many have to go through orthodontics again to straighten their teeth out. I am not a dentist or orthodontist so this is just opinion and experience of what I have seen. If you are not sure about which treatment to consider, a third opinion may be in order. Tell the third orthodontist what the other two have told you and see what he/she thinks. If you get a treatment option similar to one of the first two than you can proceed with more confidence. Good luck.