Metal Mouth Message Board

What made you decide on surgery?

Bad bite -- I had an overjet and slightly open bite, so was wearing my back molars down prematurely. I was told by several dentists, orthodontists and surgeons that long term this would cause serious issues.

The cosmetic benefits were a secondary consideration, but improving my appearance was definitely a factor.

the orthodontist told me that if I didnt correct and expand my upper palate the continual usage of only a few of my back molars would eventually lead to them to destruction, ie:wearing down, cracking and breaking away.
he then proceeded to tell me that because of my jaw structure i would pre-maturely age, that was the cherry on the top. I guess if you dont have a strong upper jaw the skin isnt as well supported so as one ages it sags faster!
but another real reason, other than the first, is that i personally find it fascinating i breath with my mouth instead of my nose because of my jaw shape. so I am excited to see that change, although starting to breath with my nose was not highlighted too much by the surgeons or orthos, but it is something i really want to see!

Not had surgery yet but my main reason is cosmetic.

I have an overbite of 13mm so my lower jaw will be moved forward to compensate... However this will also help with function of my bite.

Not had surgery yet but my main reason is cosmetic.

I have an overbite of 13mm so my lower jaw will be moved forward to compensate... However this will also help with function of my bite.

Haven't decided on surgery yet, still considering all the pros and cons, but I have incompetent lips due to a long upper jaw.
I would love my lips to meet without strain. Them being open all the time gives me a 'gormless' look. Not very attractive.

I'm having surgery because with an open bite I'm destroying my back teeth as well as struggling to eat. Even if I was willing to never eat finger food again (it's impossible to bite through anything) chewing anything at all is a struggle and an embarrassing mess. I have about 12mm lip incompetence which as yellowhat says looks 'gormless' and even my three year old daughter says 'Mummy you are chewing with your mouth open!' And that's before we get into more cosmetic issues such as the long, tired-looking face and the hurt of being asked at school if I was related to Bruce Forsyth.

I should add that Bruce's appearance obviously hasn't been much of an impediment to him, but personally I feel a long face and strong jaw are more suited to men than teenage girls so the taunts at school really upset me.

Keeponsmiling- are you definitely having surgery? I've got an appointment in a fortnight to see the surgeon. I will make final choice then. I feel totally obsessed by peoples' faces at the moment. I'm always on the look out for lip incompetencies.I fear if I don't have the surgery I'll spend all of my life regretting it. Are you from the UK?

I started for cosmetic reasons (which was further reinforced by the first OMFS who saw me), but later learned that there are real medical reasons for it. If I had this done even 10 years ago, I would still have my full rear molars (I now only have about 80% of them because they are worn out!).

For those of you doing it for cosmetic reasons, is insurance covering it?

thenumber12 wrote:For those of you doing it for cosmetic reasons, is insurance covering it?

I don't know yet. My overjet is about 9mm right now and my bite has changed quite dramatically. It's possible, but in the event insurance does not cover it, I'm prepared to write a fat check and move on with my life (and my jaws properly aligned).

I never saw my jaw problem as a cosmetic issue... Well, I never realised it was an issue until I turned 18. I mainly did it because I couldn't breathe properly and eating was incredibly hard too.

Yellowhat - yes, definitely having surgery and in the UK: Lefort 1, BSSO and genio. If you are in the UK, be prepared to have a good two or three years of disruption. I first met orthodontic consultant May 2009, then had to wait til Oct to see ortho herself to make moulds etc and to meet surgeon. Finally got braces on top in April 2010, then bottom June 2010. Moved house so had to transfer treatment in Jan 2011. Wisdom teeth out April 2011, and currently keeping fingers crossed there will be an appointment available to finalise details of surgery in Oct/Nov. D-day some time in Feb 2012. And to think I was originally told I'd be finished by now! The NHS moves at a very slow pace, but given the nightmares a lot of people in the US are reporting I'm certainly glad payment isn't something I need to worry about. I know what you mean about obsessing about other people's face. I'm driving myself crazy mentally dividing people's faces into three to check the proportions!

In the UK you wait, in the US you pay!