My 17 year old daughter has a jaw issue in that her front teeth do not meet to forma bite. Oral surgeons have reccommended orthognathic surgery. Recently, an orthodontist we saw said wetry to avoid orthognahic surgery through the use of braces, appliances and TADs.
I would to like to ask the forum for opinions and hear from people with experience in these areas. I can't figure out how to attach xray images, please let me know how to do this.[/img]
Orthognatic Surgery or TAD or other device
Moderator: bbsadmin
Just FYI, none of us here are trained enough to view an X-Ray and give you and sort of diagnosis. We're all just patients ourselves. That being said, don't hesitate to do so...just please take any advice with that in mind.
As for your situation, the best advice is to get as many opinions as you can. Generally speaking, the "camouflage orthodontics" you are referring to do not turn out positively. If somebody is over the age of 18 and their jaw has stopped growing (which it probably has), surgery is the only option.
I'd go to at least 3 orthodontists and oral surgeons and get their opinions. In addition, if they are avoiding extractions with the orthodontic treatment I'd give it deeper consideration, as extractions are permanent and there is no going back - They can often do more harm than good with somebody that really has a skeletal jaw problem.
I wish your daughter the best of luck...
-Chicago29
As for your situation, the best advice is to get as many opinions as you can. Generally speaking, the "camouflage orthodontics" you are referring to do not turn out positively. If somebody is over the age of 18 and their jaw has stopped growing (which it probably has), surgery is the only option.
I'd go to at least 3 orthodontists and oral surgeons and get their opinions. In addition, if they are avoiding extractions with the orthodontic treatment I'd give it deeper consideration, as extractions are permanent and there is no going back - They can often do more harm than good with somebody that really has a skeletal jaw problem.
I wish your daughter the best of luck...
-Chicago29
Some orthodontists now believe that TADs (temporary anchorage devices) can be used to intrude one's molars in the case of a skeletal open bite in order to close the bite and avoid the need for surgery. Of course, this would be easier in a less severe case than a more severe case. This has been done in many Asian countries for quite a few years.
Still, there is not a tremendous body of evidence about this method as compared to surgery- which should be considered when thinking about long-term stability.
Here is one doctor that I was told knows quite a bit about TADs - he's located in the Phoenix metro area: http://www.litchfieldparkortho.com/Trea ... fault.aspx
Still, there is not a tremendous body of evidence about this method as compared to surgery- which should be considered when thinking about long-term stability.
Here is one doctor that I was told knows quite a bit about TADs - he's located in the Phoenix metro area: http://www.litchfieldparkortho.com/Trea ... fault.aspx