Dear Dr. Slota

I have a few Questions concerning Orthodontic Treatment that i would like to discuss with you.

1.) Is it possible to move one specific tooth with the braces and live the rest just the way they are?I noticed some changes on my Upper Jaw,One of my teeth in front (Left incisor) was crooked.I wanted to correct this problem only. I did not want to have brackets on my lower Jaw.Are the any risks of just correcting one tooth?

2.)My Wisdom teeth and 4 teeth in front were taken out.I did not want to loose my front teeth.I thought if i remove the Wisdom teeth, then there will be room for the teeth to move behind.I had 34 teeth; two extra wisdom teeth on my upper jaw.Was it really necessary to take away the front teeth?I have some facial damage, my nose is not the same as before and my cheekbones are expanding, (my face is horizontal or used to be).Everybody i meet is commenting on how terrible i look.

3.)My front teeth were pulled out against my Wish.Now am really affected with this.What can i do about this?

4.)I would like to change my Orthodontist.How should i go about this?

Dr. Slota: 1. Correcting one tooth may be possible.  Other cases are more involved, like a jigsaw puzzle,  and may need more comprehensive treatment.

2. Without seeing records it is impossible to determine whether or not your 4 front teeth needed to be removed.  Losing teeth does affect facial appearance.

3. You need to locate a dentist that you can communicate with.  Finding someone that listens to your concerns and helps you obtain what you want is important.

4. First try to work things out with your current dentist.  If  you can't, ask your orthodontist for a referral.  If you are uncomfortable doing that, start interviewing dentists that do orthodontic treatment.  Find someone you are comfortable with and that you can communicate with.  That Dr. will help you in communicating with your current orthodontist.