Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello,

This is my first post but I have learned so much from reading this community’s answers over the last 3 months and wish to thank everyone. I do have a question. About a year ago I went to 2 orthodontists for consultations about my teeth. Both gave me about the same assessment on my mouth (which was reassuring) regarding my Class II overbite. Both also mentioned at the time that they might have to extract a tooth and would refer me to an oral surgeon for an evaluation on my jaw. I should say here that I have never had clicks, tightness to my jaw, or TMJ-related problems. Neither one really answered if I was looking at any serious mechanical problems in the future if I didn’t get treatment, which I understand because they want my business but still find frustrating. I wont post a link to my scanned diagnosis sheet since I know most users don’t like to opine without having me in their dental chair, but I can PM a direct link and your informed opinions would be appreciated).
I’ve saved my money and had molds made, 3-d scans taken, and x-rays etc. BUT there hasn’t been any mention of an extraction or an oral surgeon and they have given me a date to put the braces on this month. I am wondering if I should be concerned? Most of the Orthognathic posts mention that surgery is the standard level of care for fixing an OB and will give the best results/best keep the results after braces. I would rather do everything right instead of wear braces for 2 years and find that my results would have been best if I had the surgery. My ortho has a good reputation in the community and I will be bringing this question up with him but I wanted to get the Boards opinion as well. Thank you for your time and consideration of my questions.

Marius

There are a lot of orthodontists out there that are professionals and they may tend to gloss over the details because they have seen your case thousands of times. You should feel free to ask questions, but keep in mind that everybody's anatomy and response to treatment is different.

My orthodontist was very informal and he glossed over a lot of the details; however, he has a rock-solid reputation and I have refrained from questioning him on timelines (which have been readjusted once thus far) as he is the one that has devoted his life to this field of work.

Also, my orthodontist selected an oral surgeon and informed me about it later. This may sound bad, but after meeting with the surgeon a few weeks ago, I'm very happy with the choice (he actually went to the same OMFS program as another surgeon that my father actually worked with, and everything checked out as far as capability -- small world ain't it!?). I actually feel pretty lucky with the setup I have and the other doctors he has referred me to (a periodontist and a fantastic dentist who himself was treated for a class III malocclusion with a setback procedure) . Although I wish the surgery would have happened now (the discomfort is pretty bad right about now!), I'd much rather defer to his expert opinion instead of question what is going on.

You can find many horror stories out there, but that is more often than not based on an individuals perceptions and not necessarily on medical or objective fact. I wouldn't worry, but definitely ask as many questions as you are comfortable with.