hi Kat15,
This is Melbi, I'm a dental student and I also had braces before.
Feeling sore is normal in orthodontic treatment, especially after your dentist has adjust the band, it is what we need to go thru in order to have perfect teeth oneday!
which teeth of yours are longer? I can't really tell from the picture.
There are different approach in fixing longer teeth. The most straight forward one is to cut it shorter, which means damage to the enamel. but in order to have correct occlusion, a little damage to enamel is worthwhile. Other options will include complex surgery. eg. Take the teeth out and replant it again. I don't think the surgery is worthwhile for someone as young as you.
Receeding gums and bone level always ocuur in orthodontic treatment, because the bone needs to be reabsorbed at one end of the tooth movement, and be deposited at the other end. It is the same with the gums. The end bearing the pressure of tooth movement will recess while the other end do the opposite. Unfortuately, the deposition is usually slightly less than the resorption, hence lower bone level and receeding gums. Another price we have to pay to have perfect teeth and occlusion.
Despite asthetic, malocclusion can cause several problems in the future, including TMJ malfunction (why some ppl can't open their mouth or have clicking voice when they do), caries lesion due to difficulties in cleaning, tooth mobility, speaking difficulties etc...
There might be other reasons why your gum is receeding, eg. periodontal disease. But if you're talking about braces only, the above are the reasons.
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Melbi wants to go back to the mountains, where she belongs.