I need HELP....don't know where to go from here!
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:00 am
Ok to make a long story short, these are my problems:
- severe lip incompetence (around 9mm or so)
- severe mentalis strain
- overjet
- somewhat of an open bite
- grind teeth badly, have ever since I was little
- TMJ problems and slight clicking in jaw
- I suspect sleep apnea due to teeth grinding and restricted airway but have not been officially diagnosed with it
- gummy smile (although not as much when I am "fake" smiling) and extremely gummy when I laugh
- long face syndrome/long top jaw
- weak chin/lower jaw
- short upper lip
- extreme dry lips and gums
- both top and bottom teeth show A LOT when I am talking and due to lip incompetence I have a slight speech impediment
I had braces for a little over 3 years from 7th grade to 9th grade and had some teeth extracted, I have also had all wisdom teeth removed. I am now 24 years old. A few years ago I saw a private oral surgeon who looked me over did xrays, measurements and what not and told me I would be a good candidate for jaw surgery and orthodontics again. He accepted insurance and said there was a good chance my insurance would cover it, so they sent everything in. I was denied, it was a huge let down for me because not only is it uncomfortable living like this feeling like my lips, cheeks, and jaws are always straining but also it is embarrassing! I love the way I look in pictures when I'm smiling but when it comes to real life I hate the way I look when I talk and I am mortified when I see videos of me or unplanned pictures. My profile is all jacked up and I just look awkward.
After dwelling on this letdown for 2 years, my insurance changed to Cigna/Metlife so I decided I was going to try all over again but this time I was going to see someone in network in hopes for a better chance of having it covered. I had an orthodontics appointment first, he understood my concerns but didn't really say whether he thought I would need jaw surgery or not. Instead, he referred me over to one of their oral surgeons and said if he thought I needed it then we would go from there. I met with the oral surgeon about 2 weeks ago and I basically left out of there crying. He told me that my smile was pretty and that if I went through with the surgery it would be for cosmetic reasons. Even though he said I definitely have a longer upper jaw and some bite problems, and of course my TMJ problems...he also noticed my extreme lip incompetence. This doctor is at a well known university/hospital with a huge dental school. He basically told me that the cases he has dealt with were far more extreme than mine but he definitely understood where I was coming from but he doesn't think I should do the surgery and that I should live with how I am. He then said he was going to go ahead and do measurements, xrays, molds, pictures, and impressions to get a better picture of my problems, he is then going to discuss my case with the orthodontist and a student class to decide on whether I really need it or not. Well, it has been 2 weeks and I haven't heard anything. I really am not happy with this doctor at all and I feel like he is just writing me off just because my case isn't as extreme as others...even though this causes me discomfort on a daily basis, not to mention the psychological and emotional effects it has on me as well! I just don't understand how I have now been to TWO oral surgeons and they both have had complete opposite opinions.
So where do I go from here? Should I just go ahead and schedule some consults with other orthodontists in the area that do surgery to get their opinions? I really hate that the last oral surgeon I saw was in network because I feel like if I schedule with someone else at the university then his opinion will probably negatively affect my case from the get-go with someone new. I'm so frustrated and upset, and I am so emotionally drained over this whole ordeal!
I have pictures I can post but I don't know how to do that...I am new here!![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
- severe lip incompetence (around 9mm or so)
- severe mentalis strain
- overjet
- somewhat of an open bite
- grind teeth badly, have ever since I was little
- TMJ problems and slight clicking in jaw
- I suspect sleep apnea due to teeth grinding and restricted airway but have not been officially diagnosed with it
- gummy smile (although not as much when I am "fake" smiling) and extremely gummy when I laugh
- long face syndrome/long top jaw
- weak chin/lower jaw
- short upper lip
- extreme dry lips and gums
- both top and bottom teeth show A LOT when I am talking and due to lip incompetence I have a slight speech impediment
I had braces for a little over 3 years from 7th grade to 9th grade and had some teeth extracted, I have also had all wisdom teeth removed. I am now 24 years old. A few years ago I saw a private oral surgeon who looked me over did xrays, measurements and what not and told me I would be a good candidate for jaw surgery and orthodontics again. He accepted insurance and said there was a good chance my insurance would cover it, so they sent everything in. I was denied, it was a huge let down for me because not only is it uncomfortable living like this feeling like my lips, cheeks, and jaws are always straining but also it is embarrassing! I love the way I look in pictures when I'm smiling but when it comes to real life I hate the way I look when I talk and I am mortified when I see videos of me or unplanned pictures. My profile is all jacked up and I just look awkward.
After dwelling on this letdown for 2 years, my insurance changed to Cigna/Metlife so I decided I was going to try all over again but this time I was going to see someone in network in hopes for a better chance of having it covered. I had an orthodontics appointment first, he understood my concerns but didn't really say whether he thought I would need jaw surgery or not. Instead, he referred me over to one of their oral surgeons and said if he thought I needed it then we would go from there. I met with the oral surgeon about 2 weeks ago and I basically left out of there crying. He told me that my smile was pretty and that if I went through with the surgery it would be for cosmetic reasons. Even though he said I definitely have a longer upper jaw and some bite problems, and of course my TMJ problems...he also noticed my extreme lip incompetence. This doctor is at a well known university/hospital with a huge dental school. He basically told me that the cases he has dealt with were far more extreme than mine but he definitely understood where I was coming from but he doesn't think I should do the surgery and that I should live with how I am. He then said he was going to go ahead and do measurements, xrays, molds, pictures, and impressions to get a better picture of my problems, he is then going to discuss my case with the orthodontist and a student class to decide on whether I really need it or not. Well, it has been 2 weeks and I haven't heard anything. I really am not happy with this doctor at all and I feel like he is just writing me off just because my case isn't as extreme as others...even though this causes me discomfort on a daily basis, not to mention the psychological and emotional effects it has on me as well! I just don't understand how I have now been to TWO oral surgeons and they both have had complete opposite opinions.
So where do I go from here? Should I just go ahead and schedule some consults with other orthodontists in the area that do surgery to get their opinions? I really hate that the last oral surgeon I saw was in network because I feel like if I schedule with someone else at the university then his opinion will probably negatively affect my case from the get-go with someone new. I'm so frustrated and upset, and I am so emotionally drained over this whole ordeal!
I have pictures I can post but I don't know how to do that...I am new here!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)