"It gets worse before it can get better"
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PhillipBryant
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:58 pm
"It gets worse before it can get better"
Both my ortho and surgeon said that my bite is going to get worse... probably much worse before the surgery. I have an open bite and the plan is to have a Segmental LeFort operation in about 9 months. I know that I am going to end up with an underbite-- but I am wondering if anyone can tell me from experience how bad the underbite gets, what that does in terms of chewing and eating and how that changed your look/appearance.
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Super Smile
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:36 pm
Re: "It gets worse before it can get better"
How much your bite changes and "gets worse" completely depends on you. Every case is different. Depending on how your teeth are currently set, the ortho has to move them into a position where the surgeon can surgically correct the bite. It all depends on what type of surgery you are going to have and how much movement they are going to do. As the ortho is moving your teeth around, your bite will change and sometimes you will find it difficult to say certain words or realize that chewing is more of a challenge. But it is all temporary and the end result will be completely worth it. And if you are feeling extra frustrated, come here and vent and talk to some other folks going thru a similar situation.
Re: "It gets worse before it can get better"
Yes it get's worse but if you avoid mirrors, it's not too bad. You gotta go through it in order to get to your goal.
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Bullfighter
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:20 pm
- Location: San Diego, CA
Re: "It gets worse before it can get better"
As others posted, it depends on your individual case. Because your bite is, by definition, wrong to start with, you probably won't notice a huge difference in your appearance or ability to chew. My bite worsened, but my teeth got straighter as ortho treatment progressed, so in my case I dind't think it was so bad.
I did adjust my eating habits slightly pre-surgery -- minor stuff like I stopped ordering lettuce on sandwiches (unless it was shredded lettuce), and cut my food into smaller bits, especially with meat or anything that required chewing.
The real revelation is post-op, after you've healed enough to chew, and you feel what it's like to have a proper bite. In hindsight, I don't know how I managed for the first 40+ years.
I did adjust my eating habits slightly pre-surgery -- minor stuff like I stopped ordering lettuce on sandwiches (unless it was shredded lettuce), and cut my food into smaller bits, especially with meat or anything that required chewing.
The real revelation is post-op, after you've healed enough to chew, and you feel what it's like to have a proper bite. In hindsight, I don't know how I managed for the first 40+ years.