Question for all who will Answer--

Message

#1 Post by **mottsrods** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:00 am

Hi all,
I'm 33 and i guess may be facing braces for the third time. I currenty have a slight overbite, but my main problem is my overall bite from my jawline, and the usual problems with TMJ. I have had a consultation with a TMJ specialist and he wants to do surgery. I would rather not, as i have had jaw surgery in my early 20's, ie:broken jaw form motorcycle accident, and don't want to go through that again. My dentist told me if I didn't have the surgery, then i needed to consult an orthodontist to see if he could help. I didn't mind braces before.....but with a strugglling business and two small kids, 2 and 4 yrs old, it's hard to rationalize spending that much money for it. On the other hand, the headaches never go away and i have alot of trouble eating......I am wearing nite guards to help....but i don't see much that they are doing after over a year of using them. I started wearing them during the day about 7 months ago at my dentists request. What does everyone think?

#2 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:26 am

Go to the ortho and what they say. No sense in worrying, just get informed of what all your options and outcomes will be.

#3 Post by **cbushnaq** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:34 am

I have a friend who has TMJ problems and is wearing some type of device that will only change her bite. She is seeing a dentist who works with TMJ patients.

Good luck
C

#4 Post by **mottsrods** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:41 am

Well, this nite guard is supposed to be just for the TMJ, i wouldn't care if i had to wear braces for 10 years if it would elliviate the problems of the TMJ and not require me to have surgery again.

#5 Post by **badbite** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:54 am

mottsrods,

I am a 32 year old mother with three children ages 2,4, and 6. We are also barely making ends meet. I have some major "teeth" problems including an underbite, cross bite, open bite, crowding, TMD, etc. I lost a healthy tooth this year because my bite is so bad the tooth would not stop hurting. I am facing two surgeries and braces (no insurance) that will probably end up costing me between $40,000 - $50,000 by the time I am done.

You are worth it. It will make you feel better, and be a better mother. I was pondering this for myself and concluded that I would like to be both pain-free and keep my teeth for the next 50 years. You have to think about the long run and not just the immediate future.

Go to the ortho to se what he/she has to say before you make up your mind about anything.

#6 Post by **ohmyjaw** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:48 pm

Hi mottsrods,

You might want to check out iBorg's story - I think he is dealing with a similar TMJ issue (and having surgery to treat it).

I also think it would be a good idea to get a few consultations, and find out about some different treatment options. Then you can weigh all the pros and cons and figure out what's best.

I had surgery for my bite back in March. While it was no picnic, I imagine it's not as bad as having to deal with the trauma of a motorcycle accident.

#7 Post by **QKate** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:13 pm

hi, It sounds like you know what you need- an ortho who can fix your bite to as close to perfection as possible. I encourage you to go to a few orthos and do research to find the most skilled and kind one you can. Also, avoid surgery since that's what you want to do! Good luck.

#8 Post by **Betty Bat** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:50 pm

I agree with everything that has been said so far - get a consultation and find out what can be done.

However, if this is going to be your third time in braces, then I think you have to be ready to make this time a success. I don't know from your message when the other times were and perhaps they were related to your motorcycle accident. In any case, if you're going to make this investment in your health (and it is an investment in your health), then make this a lifetime commitment - like following all of the ortho's instructions when you're in braces, wearing your retainer afterwards, and perhaps giving up motorcycles, if you haven't already!

A lot of this is your mindset. Make it an investment for yourself AND your family. Perhaps the third time will be the charm, just like the old saying goes.

#9 Post by **discomom** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:50 pm

Hello, I know what you mean about the $ issue. My husband and I have two girls aged 11 and 7. I am working, he is working and we BARELY are making it. We live beyond paycheck to paycheck which is really scary at times. I have decided to go into braces for the second time myself cause of jaw issues, and a cross bite. I set up a payment plan with my ortho that I will pay $125 per month. Not toooo terrible! I have to agree with the other posts not only are you worth it, you deserve it. Talk to an ortho, you never know, it might not cost as much as you think. Best of luck. Lori

#10 Post by **lilblackdress** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:02 pm

1. Most orthos have in-house financing as long as you've paid before treatment is over. If that isn't an option, maybe you can try something like this: http://www.capitalonehealthcarefinance.com/ - they have an option specifically for orthodontics and my ortho recommended them.

2. Do you live near a medical school? There may be a dental school that could treat you and it wouldn't cost as much as a private orthodontist.

3. Check into local clinics. I was surprised to learn that there is an ortho in my city who runs a dental clinic and also does orthodontics.

#11 Post by **mottsrods** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:08 pm

All I can say is wow........what a response...Thank you to everyone. O'kay, to start, my first time in braces was when I was 14 for 26 months, and it my teeth were perfect. At 18, after a the accident, which i broke my lower jaw in two places where the strap went accross my chin, had it all wired together and then shut. Now to present day.....I build custom hot rods and only build 2 to 3 a year(i'm a one man show), which is stressfull enough, and my wife is a nurse and carries the insurance. Her insurance we found out will not cover the surgery, or any orthodontic treatment. Now my dentist is a TMD specialist, but he had me see another doc who he thought could help me more, and his answer was first, the night guards. They are 2 pieces, but when i close my mouth fit together to hold my jaw in a certain position. I'm afraid of the surgery because scar tissue and what it will do down the road. My dentist said the braces would be more conservative, and cheaper.

#12 Post by **iBorg** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:36 pm

Since you've been suggested to read my story a couple of times I guess I'll touch base with you. First, I've been to Easley and considered moving there about fifteen years ago. My wife works in health care. I'm a gear head at heart. In many ways we are alike. I too suffer TMJ issues. I went through splints and found them to be a great help for about six months. Then my TMJ pain reappeared but in a different spot. The TMJ pain was so bad at times I found it hard to drive. I over medicated myself with OTC meds often enough that I suffered the intestinal damage the warning labels speak of. I needed to do something about the TMJ issues or I would have life changing consequences. TMJ issues don't get better on their own.

At first, I did not consider ortho work. I have a root canal and didn't think ortho was possible. I've since learned differently. I found one ortho who I have great faith in. She told me that ortho would not cure my TMJ issues but would reduce the pain from an eight or nine to a three or a four based upon reports from past patients. After eight months it was suggested I consider surgery. I wrestled with that option. Finally, I realized that if I was going to do this, I should do whatever to get the best result. I don't want the recovery involved with the surgery, but, want the type of results that others have had with surgery. Therefore my teeth are being moved in position for surgery. I'm hopeful to have surgery next summer.

After 14 months of treatment I can tell you my TMJ is still very active. I can now handle the pain with a heat pad for about 10-15 minutes. Not always convenient but I have not needed the pain relievers I was dependent on prior to braces. While it seems strange to be almost 50 with braces, I can tell you the reduction in TMJ related headaches has increased my productivity. I'm happier and can deal with not only my 9 and 6 year olds better but I can handle a Pack of Cub Scouts.

I'd offer you these words of advice. Visit several orthos. It would be nice if Clemson had a College of Dentistry. AS for the cost of surgery, it is scary. The suggestion of monthly payments is good. Another consideration would be to look at your wife's medical insurance. The type of surgery that you need would be covered by medical and not dental. I do not know if your previous injury would either help or hurt getting the surgery covered.

Finally, if all else fails, build a Riddler winner. Sell it. Buy a new house and pay for the surgery.

#13 Post by **ohmyjaw** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:11 pm

iBorg,

I am quite sure that, compared to what you have suffered already, the surgery is going to be a piece of cake.

#14 Post by **iBorg** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:25 pm

ohmyjaw (I really need a real name)

My options were easy, braces or a very invasive surgery to repair/salvage my intestines if I continued needing the pain meds with the frequency and quantity I was taking them. Even with the recovery issues, jaw surgery is a lot less severe. I'm sure two or three days after the surgery, I'll forget that. Please remind me when I start my pity party.

#15 Post by **ohmyjaw** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:17 pm

Hmmm, I like my name.

Maybe I'll use my real one some day but for now I'm sticking with it.

Two or three days after surgery, my head resembled a watermelon, I had ice packs strapped to both sides of my face, and I had smoothie dribbling down my chin. Yup, quite the pity party.

But, I was pretty much back up and running (or, rock climbing, rather) inside of two weeks.

You'll be fine!