complicated questions (repost)

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#1 Post by **tmw2n** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:06 pm

okay, i had a consult with my ortho, and he's recommended if i want to go ahead with treatment i need jaw surgery, which means it's going to be free, as itll be n the nhs (i'm in the uk)
i have an overbite and a couple of my back teeth dont meet well when i bite down i'm also wearing down some of my lower teeth in my sleep.

the jaw surgery he's recommending is to move my lower jaw forward about 5mm, which seems no much of a move. however, this is where things get complicated. i am transgendered, gonig from male to female. and im worried that moving my jaw forward will result in making my face more masculine, the exact opposite of what i'd like.

i've been unhappy with my teeth since i was a teenager, and i's taken me about 15 years t get round to trying to do something. does anyone (especially girls, as i'm trying to get my head round hw much difference this type of surgery would make to jawline and face shape) have any feedback or before / after pictures from having their lower jaw moved forward a similar distance?

i'm seeing my ortho again in two weeks, and i have t tell him if i want to go ahead, and if i do braces go on then. thanks in advance for any help, and sorry if this post has made anyone uncomfortable.

rsposted in here as suggested by linguilita

#2 Post by **HokieTay** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:29 pm

Hi, I will give you some insight since a. I am a girl and b. I am getting my lower jaw moved forward. Also, getting my upper jaw moved, but that's neither here nor there.

Just let the doctor know exactly what you would like. I personally, cannot wait for some more definition in my jawline... particularly my profile! The surgeon can move it so that it is not too masculine. I don't want mine to be masculine either!

I am still trying to get my orthodontist and oral surgeon to get me a date so I can't show you any pictures yet. However, I am pretty much ready for surgery so maybe I can show you after that? I am crossing my fingers for April or May.

#3 Post by **megs29** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:26 am

Im a woman, and I had a lower jaw advancement as well, 6mm so just a tiny bit more than you.

Because of my overbite, before surgery, My jaw was very straight and square-ish (but it still looked feminine). Im only four weeks post-op, and I find that I still do have that squareness to my jaw from the front, but on the side its a little more rounded. Its nice.

I think that you should talk to the OS and express your concerns and perhaps they can keep that you're transgenered in mind, and come to a great looking result. Also, they might suggest a genioplasty, which is when they re-shape your chin to give your face more balance. For me, when they moved my jaw forward, my chin stuck out too much, so the OS rounded it off, and it looks nice. Perhaps with the advancement of your jaw, a reduction of the chin might decrease the 'strong , manly jaw' I think you're trying to avoid.

#4 Post by **tazzle** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:24 pm

i guess as well it depends on where you are moving from in a way .. ....... if , like me, your lower jaw is shallow and further back then moving it forward will just be putting it where is should have been for "normal" profile no matter the gender. For me it will give a longer appearance to my face more than anything as i have a very deep bite at the mo,

imo its the width of the jaw and squaredness of it that would make me think of male / female aspect if that makes sense ?

also too with some males its the forehead and nose area that is the "maleness" so its difficult to say on an individual basis... although I can understand your concerns. (My friends fiance is tg and his features are already quite "neutral" really imo)

i have not had my surgery yet btw , but "practice" in the mirror

to see what the results will be (I hope)

are you braced yet and when will your surgery be ?

#5 Post by **tmw2n** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:52 am

tazzle wrote:i guess as well it depends on where you are moving from in a way .. ....... if , like me, your lower jaw is shallow and further back then moving it forward will just be putting it where is should have been for "normal" profile no matter the gender. For me it will give a longer appearance to my face more than anything as i have a very deep bite at the mo,

imo its the width of the jaw and squaredness of it that would make me think of male / female aspect if that makes sense ?

also too with some males its the forehead and nose area that is the "maleness" so its difficult to say on an individual basis... although I can understand your concerns. (My friends fiance is tg and his features are already quite "neutral" really imo)

i have not had my surgery yet btw , but "practice" in the mirror to see what the results will be (I hope)

are you braced yet and when will your surgery be ?

getting braced in 2 weeks, the ortho has said surgery will be in roughly 18 months, don't think i'll get a chance to speak to the surgeon any time soon. the wonders of the NHS. but at least it's free.

#6 Post by **sirwired** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:28 am

I think you really need to sit down with your ortho and discuss your concerns with him. Your ortho's primary concern is usually the best "functional" result (with no negative aesthetic consequences), and then whatever aesthetic improvements he can manage. This is why orthos commonly pull teeth even if they can straighten a smile without them; they are trying to make sure that the bite works properly.

Usually, functional improvements also result in aesthetic improvements, so this works out quite well for most people.

However, for you, this may not be what you want. I would strongly suggest get an oral surgeon and your ortho in the same room together to talk about your concerns. Neither one is going to be able to treat your case like "business as usual", since your end profile may be somewhat different from that of a normal male patient. Yes, you may have to pay for the OS's time, but I think it would be worth it.

SirWired

#7 Post by **tazzle** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:59 pm

getting braced in 2 weeks, the ortho has said surgery will be in roughly 18 months, don't think i'll get a chance to speak to the surgeon any time soon. the wonders of the NHS. but at least it's free

have you not seen the surgeon yet then...... my first clinic ( also nhs

) was with both cause there ain't much point the ortho agreeing stuff if the surgeon aint involved / happy with the agreed procedure

i must admit I didn't see the surgeon till the othro felt we were nearly there re moving the upper teeth to the appropriate positions. Then we all met, agreed on a date and we have the next thress appointments agreed with the last two days before the op on 4th june. I have a couple more questions I forgot to ask last time but they are minor .... ish

so i will ask those at the pre op chat .

I was told 12 - 18 months too and on op day it will be 15 months so smack in the middle of the estimation

re the jawline ...... when I "practice" in the mirror wth my jaw coming down as well as forward i see an effect i di dnot think about, i look like i will be getting a "neck lift" as a by product ...... thanks NHS

maybe the surgeon can do some sort of a genioplasty to reduce the chin since he is in the area ???

#8 Post by **Delag** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:18 pm

I have a female friend who had a lower advancement and she had her lower widened as well. She has always had a very strong (masculine) chin and was worried - long story short - her chin looks just the same as it did pre-op. I don't know how many mm she had moved though. Worst case for you, they reposition the chin with genio or maybe a plastic surgeon could shave it down a bit.

You will find the best pictures on peoples blogs. I am a bit out of the loop lately, but there are many blogs out there and I am sure you can find what you are looking for.

I just got my braces off after 3+ years. It will be well worth it in the end. Good luck.