Surgery or no surgery? Stuck..

[krc202]

I am struggling with the decision to have jaw surgery and would love some advice.

The short version is I have an open bite, it's causing me pain, but I don't know if the surgery would 1. fix my pain or 2. dramatically change my face (not a good thing in my opinion).

I am 23 and have had an open bite since I was 10. Had braces and other orthodontics from ages 12-17 but never wanted to have surgery. I don't think I look deformed (certainly not like the before and after photos in brochures), and this problem has never affected my quality of life, other than being a slightly messy eater So I never saw any reason to have the surgery. My mom and my sister (she's 30) both have open bites as well, and they haven't had any problems or pain due to their bites, so I hoped I wouldn't either.

For the past 4 months, though, I have had minor jaw pain and it is getting worse. So I had a consultation with an orthodontist and he referred me to an oral surgeon. The surgeon made me feel even more scared than I already was. I asked if the surgery would fix my jaw pain and he said probably, but not for sure (well, why do it then?!). I asked if it would change my face and he said yes, my chin will be more prominent and shorter. And I was shocked to find out it is not an outpatient surgery, but in fact requires a 1-2 night hospital stay. 8 weeks eating soft foods and 2 weeks off from work, ouch. Not to mention the expense and insurance hassle. Overall, the surgery and braces process sounds like a big pain in the a** that would significantly impact my life for the next 1-2 years.

I really don't know what to do. I want my jaw to stop hurting, but I dread the thought of having braces again as an adult; it seems so embarrassing. I know my face would probably look better, but what if it doesn't, and I'm stuck with it? And what if I go through all this, and my jaw still hurts? My plan now is to get a second opinion from another surgeon - maybe this guy just isn't the right one for me. But overall, I feel like I'm at an impasse. Should I go to a TMJ specialist, maybe? I would love to hear similar experiences and advice. Thanks!

[vegathestar]

I'm assuming that you need braces to reverse your bite before you can get jaw surgery. If that's so, NO. Don't do it. Like what you've said, you don't even look deformed or nothing like whats on the brochure. Its too much of a hassle.
I used to have VERY BAD jaw pain accompanied with jaw locking problem. After a year or so with NO TREATMENT at all, my jaw pain and jaw locking problem went away on its own. Although my jaws click a lot but since they're not hurting i'm not gonna fret over it.
Oh yeah I do realised that jaw pain might go away if you change your sleeping position. In my case, I realised my jaws would stop locking if I sleep on my sides with my left jaws facing the pillow. Pardon my bad English by the way.

[maxhammer]

We need to see pictures.

[krc202]

Yes, definitely going to get a second opinion. Another thing the surgeon said that scared me was that my bite will get worse from the braces before the surgery. Is that always the case? He made it sound definite.

Are there any nonsurgical treatments for open bite or just for jaw pain? Has anyone been to a TMJ specialist?

[Marisama]

I've noticed that my bite has gotten significantly worse since braces were put on.

[CaliforniaKid]

@ryan

if you are in braces pending surgery, your bite is supposed to "get worse." your teeth and jaw need to be in a very specific location in order of the jaws to be moved in the right position.

[Marisama]

I'm aware. I was just confirming the fact that the bite does indeed get worse.

[sacarp]

I'm having the same dilemma.
I have a class 4/5 underbite and have declined the option of braces followed by surgery until now.
Recently I have been experiencing constant aches in my jaw, even when brushing.
I have come to the conclusion this is due to my jaw changing since my wisdom teeth have come through, although this acheing is not due wisdom teeth.

So, I have decided to arrange an appointment with the ortho surgeon and am assuming I will have to bite the bullet so to speak and have the treatment.

[keeponsmiling]

Personally my open bite in my early twenties was annoying in terms of eating but otherwise didn't bother me. But throughout my twenties it got gradually worse until I looked goofy, couldn't close my mouth and had a dull but constant ache in my jaw joints. I saw at least seven different dentists, orthodontists and surgeons and they all said it'd only get worse and only surgery could fix it. Now ten years later, and ten weeks post-op, I wish I'd sorted it out sooner. Recovery is easier when you're younger and why put up with something that bugs you for longer than necessary? In my case, the open bite and goofiness had got so bad that the braces actually improved my bite significantly, even before the surgery. I was worried beforehand about how the surgery would affect my appearance because although I had a long face I also had a prominent chin, but it's not unusual to have chin surgery in conjunction with jaw surgery to make sure the aestheticd outcome is as good as the function. My advice is to get as many opinions as you can, but bear in mind that if they contradict each other you could end up very confused and ultimately you have to make the decision based on how much your problems bother you. And where you live is crucial - can you afford surgery, or if you're in the UK is your case severe enough to get NHS treatment? That, for me, was a huge influence - the NHS don't offer treatments they don't think are needed.

[sacarp]

At 21, I already have the dull constant ache in my jaw.
I have been offered braces and surgery on the NHS, but have turned it down twice as it didn't bother me.

But, now I can feel it getting worse and I feel it is my only option, having spoken to the consultant, surgeon and a dental consultant within the family.

[openbitedan]

hi all just though id give my 2ps worth, my open bite started to appear when i was 21,i went to the dentist thay tryed to relocate my jaw ,as my open bite appeared very quickley thay thought id dislocated my jaw in a fight, he sent me to hospital thay did all manor of tests on me,and then said braces and jaw surgery for you son,i said jog on mate ,im not haveing braces im way to cool for that lol ----------------fast forward 11 years here i am at 32 with a 10mm open bite,jaw ache,regular head aches, and some shiny braces wishing id had it all done years ago,i wouldent hesitate if i could turn the clocks back, check out some of the vids on youtube of people that have been through it,i cant wait to get surgery.

[krc202]

I have decided to do it. Now the problem is that only one surgeon in my city takes my insurance - and he only has 2 years' experience, which makes me doubt whether I should go with him. Did anyone have their surgery in another city? How hard, logistically, is that to do?