Thanks for your replies!
I wouldn't go for the wilcko just to speed the process up. I am actually OK with the traditional time since I've already convinced myself that it was my only option, although the shorter time would be a super awesome bonus with this. This method was basically an alternative to the jaw surgery, in which the major selling point for me was how much less invasive it was not sawing my jaw bone off my face and putting it back together with the risk of the permanent numb/tingling forever. I was VERY confused at how they could do this and still get the same results of the jaw surgery, particularly with the widening of the arch. My ortho said that when they go in to score the bone, they will pack a ton of cadaver bone or grafting material on the outside of the bone I have now, and that will be the new bone that they will move my teeth out into. I didn't think to ask this, but I later wondered what they would do with the excess bone on the inside if they move my teeth out into new bone? Not sure, but I'm sure they would take care of it some how. And yes, the TAD's would be used in conjunction with the wilcko to bring my teeth up and net the same result as the 4-5mm impaction they would do with the traditional jaw surgery.
I am hesitant to do this new proposed method for a few reasons-- 1.) I don't think my ortho does a ton of these cases. I am all for barn storming and being the innovative patient, but with something this complex I think it might be better to go with something he is very familiar with, which is the tried and true traditional jaw surgery. I also get the feeling that the surgeon probably has not done this too often, and it seemed like he was mostly speaking on case studies he's seen or learned about at conferences. 2.) I have a feeling this is going to be more painful than the jaw surgery! Doh! and 3.) It's probably not going to be covered at all, which means I might be out another $8,000 on top of the $8,000 I am already paying the ortho for everything. No bueno!
It sounds great, and almost too good to be true, but I am hesitant. Even if the price wasn't a factor, I would still be hesitant for reasons under #1 above. Maybe in another decade more and more people will be doing this, but I don't know if I want to be in that group of newbies who get to try it out!
Tough call. They are putting in a pre-authorization to see if my insurance will pick it up. I know it's doubtful, so I guess I'll make a decision from there once I hear back!
Thanks again for everybody's input!