Metal Mouth Message Board

I totally understand your concern. I only had my braces for about 17 months, but I was a surgery case. So I'm really concerned about movement because I don't think I could go through jaw surgery again. After we devote all of this time, effort, and money to braces we want to retain our results perman...

I have only been out of braces for two months but I have just a bonded retainer on the bottom, spanning six teeth. I asked about a removable retainer as well because I was concerned about keeping the arch nice, but my ortho said that my back teeth will need to move and settle to fit into my top teet...

I had to wait a week to get my Essix retainer as well, so I had nothing holding my top teeth in place for that time (had a permanent retainer on bottom). When I got the retainer, it was a little tight for a few days but everything was fine. No shifting (or at least none that I noticed) and my teeth ...

People really don’t understand. I had braces and jaw surgery and had more comments on the amount of money it would cost than anything. First, why are other people always so concerned with the cost? It’s my money, I have earned it, and I can do what I like with it! Secondly, jaw surgery was covered m...

There is a risk for permanent numbness, and I don’t mean to play it down by any means, but you’re going to read a lot more horror stories on the internet than you will success stories. I had surgery for an open bite (both upper and lower jaws) a little over 6 months ago and I have 100% of my feeling...

I used a pill crusher and took it that way, but then I had that whole body-clock mess up that you speak of because too much of the powder residue was left behind. It is a tiny pill, but there was no way I could take it whole when I was banded shut because I couldn't open my teeth at all, not even sl...

I just wanted to chime in with how true it is that people don’t notice your teeth. Someone I saw rather frequently in the last 13 months I’ve had braces asked me last week if I just got them, after my surgery. People I work with asked why I was getting braces as they thought my teeth were straight. ...

My bite was exactly like yours. I too was looking into TADs, but after consulting with several orthodontists and doing my own research, I decided against it. I went with the surgical option, even though I was anxious about it, and I am so glad I did. I'm seven weeks post-op now, and while the first ...

Where are you located? The first surgeon I consulted with (but did not end up going with) gave me the option to have the surgery without braces. He said it would not be perfect, but it would be fine in terms of appearance. He is a maxillofacial and a plastic surgeon in Indianapolis, Indiana. Let me ...

I feel so fortunate that I haven't had any issues with nauseousness other than right after the surgery, and they gave me meds right away to help it so I never threw up. I couldn't even imagine throwing up with my mouth like this, how would it be possible? I cannot open my mouth at all. I am also que...

Indigo, how long did it take for your lip swelling to go down a bit? I had my surgery just yesterday morning and my lips are driving me nuts. So very swollen, it's making me miserable. My doctor said about a week - that feels like forever away right now! Hope you are feeling better very soon, anyway...

Hope everyone who has had their surgery so far this month is hanging in there. I had my pre-op appointment today so it is starting to feel very real now. Two weeks to go! All I have bought so far is a blender (the Ninja!) and a jaw bra for ice packs. Probably should pick up a few more things. Very e...

Helen, our surgery is scheduled for the same day then! Good luck and hopefully it isn't delayed again.

My date is October 24th. I'll be having double jaw surgery for an open bite. I've only had braces since November 2011. I'm excited but mostly anxious!