Metal Mouth Message Board

Hey guys!

So, if anyone remembers me, I had double-jaw surgery for my underbite on March 18th, by Dr. Super in NYC. I had the operation without having any braces or orthodontic treatment before - contrary to what almost everyone on the board says is normal! I never even went to an orthodontist.

I did 5 weeks with surgical braces that were put on during the operation to keep me banded shut and stabilize the bones. I had them braces taken off 6 weeks later on 4/28... I have the option of getting a referral to an orthodontist and getting regular braces if I want them, but my doctor doesn't think I really need them... And, so, this is me...

Before (it's an old, old pic, but you get the idea of the problem):



After (success! without The Jaw, my teeth are actually close enough to natural position!):





My lower midline is a tiny bit off, and I have a little gap in between my front teeth - but my bite closes properly, and those are things that are more like quirks to me, that I kinda like, than a facial deformity that needs correction.

So.... Opinions?

Was the gap there before surgery? What position were your teeth in before that caused you not to need braces? How many mm did your upper and lower move? Congrats.

Yup, the gap was there pre-surgery. My teeth were actually in the same exact position they are now. The surgical braces weren't for my teeth - they're actually *not* good for your teeth and gums, but they keep the bone in place. I think the lower went back about 7mm, the upper forward 3mm

revolutionary--I think you have great results! I'm like you, in that I don't necessarily like "perfect" teeth. A perfect bite that doesn't cause pain? Absolutely! But I love when people have little imperfections with their teeth- it makes them that much more interesting. Also, my oral surgeon said it's normal to have a little bit of deviation in your midlines...most people have them but we'd never notice unless we were really trying.

All in all, you were beautiful before surgery, and you are a knockout in your after photos! Congrats and enjoy!

Fantastic results!

You look great - congrats! I was in contact with Dr. Super years ago when I first looked into surgery. He was great and answered all my questions, and I thought I'd be going to NY eventually. I did find a good OS closer to me, and the main thing I wanted to tell you was that I didn't have to get braces either! It was almost too good to be true. I did have arch bars for 6 weeks and those things STINK, but I guess they are better than years of braces, so I'm happy.

You look wonderful and hardly any swelling left, it seems!

You look so beautiful! Congrats!

I have a question. I was reading on a website that it is considered below the standard not to have braces before or after surgery. Is that true? If so, why?

hmm, I may have to check this Dr. Super out.

Thank you guys!

Here are few more of my results:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs558.snc ... 2884_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 1424_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 0903_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 5494_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 7076_n.jpg

@ tdawg: http://facesthatsmile.com

@24braceface: It really depends on the situation. My teeth, as you can see, are in the same position the were in before the surgery, and they're in pretty good alignment. My doctor saw that I had a crossbite as well as the underbite and that I wouldn't need to have my teeth straightened, just my jaw moved diagonally as well.

I'm bumping this, because I'm still puzzled as to why some people wear braces before surgery but some people don't. It doesn't make sense.

It's pretty simple actually. Take your molds (impressions) and see if you can move the two halves around to make a perfect bite - all teeth lined up properly and touching with the lower jaw slightly inside the upper jaw. If you can do that, then congrats, your bite can be fixed with surgery alone and without having to move any teeth. If you can't get the two halves to fit together properly (for ex molars touch but front teeth don't, arches aren't correct size, etc) then you need will need a combination of tooth movement and jaw movement to correct your bite.

Congratulations on your results