NHS UK surgery
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:57 am
Hello all,
I am just wondering whether anyone can clarify this situation for me and put my mind at ease.
Basically, I have been suffering with TMJ problems and associated functional symptoms for many years now. Orthodontics alone have not corrected this. I have been told that the possibility of my TMJ problems being solved may be unlikely and something that I have to live with, as many sufferers do. I will be having a better splint made for me soon when bracing is removed.
However, before orthodontic treatment I had an open bite which became worse over the years and interfered with eating, social situations, lack of mouth closing and sleeping was awkward. Orthodontic treatment has minimised the open bite through use of elastics but for the duration of 2 years in bracing, never once have I bited/chewed food through the front teeth in fear of making the open bite worse. (Always tore or cut food with a knife/fork e.g. sandwiches. Neither have I ever eaten chicken off a bone) I have been told that once bracing is removed soon, over time this open bite may gradually widen as it it facial bone structure and not teeth positioning that is causing it, and the only solution which is also long-term is surgery.
I have been told bracing is not a requirement before surgery as my teeth are already aligned after bracing of 2 years. Therefore, does anyone know if I did proceed ahead:
How long would the waiting time be before I get a surgery date? (Would I just be analysed/braced up/given surgery date?)
Is it worth it? (Judging from what is read above. I have heard that most of the time people have improvements from jaw surgery, rather than anything negative)
How much would the above case be related to functional/aesthetic in terms of weighting to be assessed for NHS surgery in the UK?
I am worried that I may be rejected due to a surgeon thinking that I am doing this purely for aesthetic reasons when it is interfering with my life. People have said comments such as, 'Why is your mouth always open?', 'Close your mouth', 'Why are you tearing/cutting such food?', 'Why can't you eat this?' and 'Your facial shape is long' etc. Obviously, these are comments coming from a third party and affecting me.
My mind if swaying towards surgery as after all that I have been through with 2 years of bracing, I cannot possibly live my life fearing that all the work will come undone due to bone structure, so the only long-term permanant solution would be forwards and to have this corrected.
Thanks all for your help
I am just wondering whether anyone can clarify this situation for me and put my mind at ease.
Basically, I have been suffering with TMJ problems and associated functional symptoms for many years now. Orthodontics alone have not corrected this. I have been told that the possibility of my TMJ problems being solved may be unlikely and something that I have to live with, as many sufferers do. I will be having a better splint made for me soon when bracing is removed.
However, before orthodontic treatment I had an open bite which became worse over the years and interfered with eating, social situations, lack of mouth closing and sleeping was awkward. Orthodontic treatment has minimised the open bite through use of elastics but for the duration of 2 years in bracing, never once have I bited/chewed food through the front teeth in fear of making the open bite worse. (Always tore or cut food with a knife/fork e.g. sandwiches. Neither have I ever eaten chicken off a bone) I have been told that once bracing is removed soon, over time this open bite may gradually widen as it it facial bone structure and not teeth positioning that is causing it, and the only solution which is also long-term is surgery.
I have been told bracing is not a requirement before surgery as my teeth are already aligned after bracing of 2 years. Therefore, does anyone know if I did proceed ahead:
How long would the waiting time be before I get a surgery date? (Would I just be analysed/braced up/given surgery date?)
Is it worth it? (Judging from what is read above. I have heard that most of the time people have improvements from jaw surgery, rather than anything negative)
How much would the above case be related to functional/aesthetic in terms of weighting to be assessed for NHS surgery in the UK?
I am worried that I may be rejected due to a surgeon thinking that I am doing this purely for aesthetic reasons when it is interfering with my life. People have said comments such as, 'Why is your mouth always open?', 'Close your mouth', 'Why are you tearing/cutting such food?', 'Why can't you eat this?' and 'Your facial shape is long' etc. Obviously, these are comments coming from a third party and affecting me.
My mind if swaying towards surgery as after all that I have been through with 2 years of bracing, I cannot possibly live my life fearing that all the work will come undone due to bone structure, so the only long-term permanant solution would be forwards and to have this corrected.
Thanks all for your help