flipping the script...open to jaw surgery

[angelstrings]

I've been visiting this board for the past 3 months or so. I started out thinking I was in need of a sliding genioplasty, so I consulted 2 OS's and and orthodontist. I even have another consult lined up with a 3rd OS, just to cover all my bases. Something the second OS said, plus what the ortho said, has been nagging at me since I met with them. I've been living in denial, and am scared. Hence, this post.

Both the ortho and the second OS said that, due to my bite, I have a lot of gum recession and will need grafts at an early age. My bite is fine, but for some reason, I am like boarderline. They said that the bite lines up right, but that the bottom teeth especially are bowed out to compensate for the upper teeth. They said that this is within the normal range, but that the mandible is smaller than average, and there is compensation, which has caused my gums to erode. I can't get it out of my head that my gums are going to melt away and I'll need dentures at age 50. And I can't stop thinking about how the first OS said my bite is a class 1, but the second said I have an overbite, class 2, and small mandible. Why the disagreement on diagnosis?

Has anyone ever heard of this? Anyway, I am now officially open to the concept of having jaw surgery, not just something to cosmetically disguise what's going on, like a sliding genioplasty would be. I'm ready to face this head on and deal with it.

What do you all think? Can this be right? Can bowed teeth cause the gums to receed? I don't want that to happen, and I don't want to take any shortcuts in my plan of care.

As always, thanks for helping me along this journey. I'm glad that the metal mouth message board is there to support one and all through this weird and winding trail.

[coffeecupcakes]

I lived in denial too when I first heard 'jaw surgery'. My original OS told me my bite would destroy my molars by the time I'm 30 and I would need implants/dentures, so I'm almost in the same boat as you! Gum recession can be caused by bowed out teeth, because the pressure of eating slowly 'traumatises' the tooth/gum over time especially when its not in the correct position. (At least, this is what I was told, as my teeth bowed inwards). Unfortunately women are also more susceptible to gum recession.

I don't think the different diagnosis is much to worry about. Once you stick braces on and your teeth straighten out, you can clearly see what type of bite you're dealing with.

If your ortho's are recommending surgery and say it'll help with the gum thing, I'd take the leap and go for it.

[littleviolet]

Can't believe it's December already, the year has gone so fast. Good luck everyone. 1 week left for me!

[littleviolet]

Whoops sorry lol that reply was suposed to go in December buddies. Stupid phone :p