Braces Question: is this worth fixing?

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Rhapsody
Deinonychus
Deinonychus

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Joined: 3 Sep 2009
Gender: Female
Posts: 367

15 May 2025, 12:47 am

I have a canted (or slanted) smile. I saw an orthodontist about another issue and he said that he can fix the cant too. However, fixing the cant would be expensive and painful. It would involve implanting screws in my jaw to pull teeth around which kind of scares me. It also means more years of wearing metal braces as invisalign won't work. I'm conflicted, though, because it would be really nice to have actually straight teeth after 6+ years wearing braces. The cant has always bothered me slightly, and I do often change the way I smile to make it less noticeable. However, it has never stopped me from smiling and no one has ever made fun of it to my face. Which I appreciate.

Here are some photos of the cant:
Image Image

Do you think it's worth fixing? It's entirely cosmetic and the orthodontist has said that if I don't fix it then it will cause no future mechanical issues. All of my braces, procedures, and appliances so far have been to fix mechanical chewing issues. I don't want to be vain...but I also don't want to regret not doing it while I have access to the only orthodontist who ever told me he can do something about it. What would you do?



VertoSignum
Hummingbird
Hummingbird

Joined: 8 Sep 2016
Gender: Female
Posts: 24
Location: NSW, Australia

29 Aug 2025, 2:14 am

Totally depends on how much it affects your confidence. If you think about it every time you smile and it really bothers you, then it might be worth fixing. But if it's just a "sometimes I notice it" thing, I'd save the money and stress



EpicFail
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

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Joined: 6 Mar 2020
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Location: raleigh NC

29 Aug 2025, 1:21 pm

If you are leaning yes, I would get a written plan that spells out where the screws go, how often they will be adjusted, how long the wire changes take, and how you will be monitored for root and gum health. Ask for periapical images on a schedule and a clear stop point if anything worsens. Pain is real the first days, then manageable with soft foods and wax, and it helps to plan big events around that window.

When the heavy lifting is done, tiny rotations and that last half millimeter can be finished with a short aligner phase through ALIGNERCO so you are not in brackets longer than needed. I would also set a retainer plan in writing before the first bracket goes on. Future you will be grateful



jlgreen28
Butterfly
Butterfly

Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Posts: 11
Location: Kansas City, MO

21 Sep 2025, 4:41 pm

If it’s not causing any functional issues, I’d personally leave it. Most people don’t even notice these things unless you point them out.