numbness in the jaw

[helpingsmile]

I'm contemplating surgery (Leforte I and BSSO) this summer--braces would go on next week--and I know permanent numbness of the lower jaw is possible. If anyone has experienced this, is it enough to make you regret the surgery?

I don't have a lot of pain and/or jaw issues. My overbite isn't too bad. I tend to grind my teeth in my sleep, but I've been told the surgery won't necessarily help that. I've also been told that my jaw is probably about as bad as it can get, so I don't expect it get any worse?
It's partly for cosmetic reasons--long face-shapeless chin--that I would do this. I'm not sure it's worth it. Any advice?

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

My surgeon took a look at me and told me it wasnt worth going through the surgery. Im you look pretty/handsome.

I honestly myself say its not worth it. My overbite wasnt that bad either. I just though so because everyone and their mother harassed me about it my whole life. But I think Bracesis the best option. Especially Damon for some reason I notice damon braces changed the profile and facial structure, whereas traditional doesnt seem to do that. Damon is def worth the little bit extra. Or perhaps you ahve an ortho that ONLY does Damon.

[sirwired]

Helpingsmile: That's your call. If the cosmetic problems bother you, and you are aware of the risks, by all means go for the surgery. Permanent numbness is possible, but it being bad enough to cause functional problems is not particularly common. (Some limited permanent chin numbness is more common, but this won't be too bothersome to most people, although some men may have trouble noticing razor cuts.)

BracedSurgeryStudent... Damon's aren't magic. The removal of plastic donuts does not give them super-powers to reshape bone that other brackets don't have. Any bracket/archwire is mechanically capable of making some alterations to some facial appearances, depending on the diagnosis and treatment.

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Of course they are not. I know that I'm jsut saying a lot of studies have shown what they can do for certain people. I just feel like Damon or self ligation is doing a great job for me and maybe would be a good fit.

[sirwired]

I don't doubt that Damon braces are working for you. But what you said was: "Especially for some reason I notice damon braces changed the profile and facial structure, whereas traditional doesnt seem to do that."

Traditional braces CAN change the profile and facial structure, and they do so in the exact same way self-ligating braces do. Self-ligating braces have their advantages: they are smaller, require fewer visits, attract less plaque, are easier to clean, and they shorten visit times. But they simply do not make unique changes to bone structure vs. traditional braces. How could they? They are nothing more than a different way to hold the wire in the bracket. Other than slightly lengthening bracket-to-bracket distances due to their size, they cannot apply force in any sort of a different fashion.

By all means enjoy your Damon braces, but when shopping for an orthodontist, seeing if they offer Damons should be pretty low on the checklist, and I'd never cross off an otherwise suitable doctor if he/she did not offer Damons or some other self-ligating system. (For the record, mine offers both Damons and the 3M Self-Ligating brakcets, but he put me in traditional 3M victory's.)

[Bullfighter]

I'm contemplating surgery (Leforte I and BSSO) this summer--braces would go on next week--and I know permanent numbness of the lower jaw is possible. If anyone has experienced this, is it enough to make you regret the surgery?

I don't have a lot of pain and/or jaw issues. My overbite isn't too bad. I tend to grind my teeth in my sleep, but I've been told the surgery won't necessarily help that. I've also been told that my jaw is probably about as bad as it can get, so I don't expect it get any worse?
It's partly for cosmetic reasons--long face-shapeless chin--that I would do this. I'm not sure it's worth it. Any advice?

I wouldn't have jaw surgery unless you have a bite problem. (I had an overbite and an open bite, which contributed to my grinding my back teeth.) You can have genioplasty, which has a much shorter recovery and fewer risks.

As far as numbness, I had BSSO and while I have 100% feeling externally there is some lingering "tightness" which is presumably nerve damage. I don't notice it unless I'm thinking about it specifically. Shaving my chin feels normal. And, coming up to exactly 1 year post op, it seems like the nerves are still healing, albeit very slowly.

I don't regret the surgery -- solved some major bite and aesthetic issues for me.

[helpingsmile]

Thanks for the thoughts. I do have an open bite/overbite, which does cause teeth grinding, muscle tenseness, and ear issues. Nothing that I can't handle, however, I've seen 3 surgeons, 2 orthodontists, and spent 3 years researching and contemplating. My biggest concern, outside of death from anesthesia was really the jaw numbness. My surgeon drew me a picture of my new profile, and I love it. I also think it will help some--I know not all--of my jaw issues. So, we will see where this journey takes me. I know I'm excited, and I'm ready to do the braces and surgery.

[Bullfighter]

Thanks for the thoughts. I do have an open bite/overbite, which does cause teeth grinding, muscle tenseness, and ear issues. Nothing that I can't handle, however, I've seen 3 surgeons, 2 orthodontists, and spent 3 years researching and contemplating. My biggest concern, outside of death from anesthesia was really the jaw numbness. My surgeon drew me a picture of my new profile, and I love it. I also think it will help some--I know not all--of my jaw issues. So, we will see where this journey takes me. I know I'm excited, and I'm ready to do the braces and surgery.

Well, immediately after surgery you will probably feel a LOT of numbness. In my case, it was almost total numbness -- felt that I was touching someone else's chin. But, it came back relatively quickly and a year later the bit of lingering tightness I have is starting to feel normal.

I'd say just expect some degree of impaired feeling and balance it against the plusses. Your current condition will, over time, lead to problems that are worse than a bit of impaired feeling in your jaw. When you're older, you may find the results of that grinding, ear issues, etc., to be more than you bargained for.

[Beebop]

I am all worried about numbness but aside from this I am also worried about the time taken for the swelling to go down. I have read a post somewhere from someone that at nearly five months still has a lot of swelling.

[Bullfighter]

I am all worried about numbness but aside from this I am also worried about the time taken for the swelling to go down. I have read a post somewhere from someone that at nearly five months still has a lot of swelling.

Five months sounds extremely long. I looked normal-ish after a few weeks, and after a month no one really noticed anything unusual. There will be some swelling for up to a year, but it's typically very minor and hard to detect. The only reason it matters, and that surgeons tell this to patients, is that it's hard to judge the precise final results of facial surgery until all swelling is gone.

It did take a few months longer for me to regain a range of jaw motion -- I was still cutting food up into small bits after the surgeon said my jaw bone had healed and I could eat regular food. Now I can open as wide as ever, but after the bands came off I remember barely being able to open my mouth.

It was 2-3 weeks of hell (swelling, liquid diet, elastics and hooks, medicated mouth rinse, discoloration, no shaving due to pressure bandages on my head, sleeping on my back with head elevated, etc.) and then things got back to normal. The chin numbness took longer to go away, but I knew that in advance, so it was annoying but expected.

I took two weeks away from work, then worked from home for another couple of weeks. That downtime really helps.

[CaliforniaKid]

if aesthetics is a major concern i say go for it. perhaps there are other less invasive surgeries or procedures - chin/jaw implant, cheek augmentation, etc..etc?

i was told i would have numbness but i dont mind because my facial muscles are killing me. i honestly look forward to it as long as it isn't too bad.

[joyayn]

I can say, that the numbness isn't that bad. 4-months post-op and I still have no feeling on one side. You have to be a little more careful about not biting you lip (for me the bottom left side), but my surgeon swears I could still get some feeling back. Even if I don't, it's not a major issue. I don't look like I've had a stroke, no droop etc. Occasionally, I'll get food on my chinand not notice, but overall, I'm still thrilled with my result.

Goodluck!

[boatsink]

I am about 5 month post-op and I have some residual numbness on my right lower lip and chin. It has much improved overtime - the area affected has significantly been reduced. In general, if someone where to touch the affected area, I can tell which direction it's being touched. I can sense temperature and pain. It does not feel 100% normal, there's something "different" (slight tingling under the surface?). Does it make me regret the surgery - no. I rarely notice it now. The only time I realize it is when I drink or eat something cold. When my lower lip touches something cold, both my lip and chin feel cold. Not the same thing is true for hot though. It's a funny sensation. Goodluck on your decision.