Some of you know me as Mr. Cavity, Mr. Fillings, Mr. Anonymous, et al. I
have been posting here for about 2 or 3 years now and try to be sort of
anonymous. I have somewhere around 30+ composite fillings, several RCTs, a
crown, etc.

Although I have no cavities left I still have crooked teeth. #8 and #9 are
crooked and #24 is overlapped (crowding in front).

I am now in the 3rd month of orthodontic treatment and here's what I'm
thinking...

My brother recently had 4 extractions on top and a permanent bridge. He is
now telling me that he doesn't regret his decision of having the front teeth
removed and that it was the best thing that ever happend to him.

In my case, after orthodontic treatment I will still need a lot of work in
the front:  One RCT on top, 2 more on bottom (25 & 26), 4 crowns on top, 2
on bottom, porcelain veneers on all other front teeth, etc.

I feel as though this is analogous to having a professional paint job on a
Ford Pinto that burns oil.

The other problem being that I have important things going on this coming
year, I will be giving speeches in front of 50 people every other month and
this has got me a little nervous. I'm undecided as to what to do; keep the
braces and have all the expensive work done in a couple years (after ortho
treatment), or to have the 4 top and 4 bottom teeth pulled now and get a
bridge on top and bottom. What is the best thing to do in light of all of
this?

Honest opinions please. What would you do?

Thanks.