Metal Mouth Message Board

A year or so ago someone mentioned to me that I have a very pointy-nosed profile - 'you look like a bird,' she said, and laughed - and ever since then I can't help but think about the fact that my profile is out of proportion. After a bit of research I have discovered that the problem is a short jaw, characterised by an overjet of around 7-8mm and a receded chin. I also have a gummy smile.

From what I can see, this will require double jaw surgery; does this sound right? This would be a lot easier if I could post images. I have three; one my mouth and jaw profile neutral, one smiling and one showing the overjet.

Any advice or guidance would be good, plus anyone who can advise on a good consultant in the UK and prices. Oh, I'm 26 by the way.

Thanks all!

pictures would help

I can't post pictures until I've posted seven times and I don't just want to spam the site so I can post pictures!

Right, pictures (excuse the tramp beard - it was for work (I don't work as a tramp by the way)):

Mouth shut (although my lips don't touch if I relax them):



Smiling:



Showing overjet:

Hi, your profile looks a lot like mine did, and you probably would be able to get treatment on the NHS. Ask your dentist for a referral to the maxfax dept at the hospital, or have a consultation at an orthodontist and get referred that way. I don't know prices for going private. The NHS have been fantasitc with me and I haven't paid for anything, including braces; the only downside is the waiting!

HelenUK wrote:Hi, your profile looks a lot like mine did, and you probably would be able to get treatment on the NHS. Ask your dentist for a referral to the maxfax dept at the hospital, or have a consultation at an orthodontist and get referred that way. I don't know prices for going private. The NHS have been fantasitc with me and I haven't paid for anything, including braces; the only downside is the waiting!

Minus the beard I hope! If you don't mind me asking, what age were you when you first got the consultation, and what measurement was your overjet? What kind of wait did you have? What's maxfax?

I have an appointment with the dentist... soonest one was November!

Thank you!

haha, yeah no beard! also my nose is different. but the jaws are similar. I think i was about 25 when i first had a consultation. My overbite wasn't very big at that point, it got worse as the braces moved my teeth ready for surgery. It's 12mm now. Maxfax is maxillofacial, thats the kind of surgeon you need. My wait has been long - around 6 months from first appointment at the hospital to braces going on, and then 2.5 years in braces so far. As i said i'm just waiting for another surgery date now.

Thank you for that helpful info.

Another question: did you have to push much to get the surgery or did you just point out the overjet to your dentist and go with the flow?

Thanks!

To be honest I had no idea I had an overbite. I was concerned about my crooked teeth and my dentist referred me to an orthodontist, and it was during that consultation that I was told I had an overbite and would need surgery to fix it. A bit of a shock! I was then referred to the hospital and it went from there. I never had to push for anything.

HelenUK wrote:To be honest I had no idea I had an overbite. I was concerned about my crooked teeth and my dentist referred me to an orthodontist, and it was during that consultation that I was told I had an overbite and would need surgery to fix it. A bit of a shock! I was then referred to the hospital and it went from there. I never had to push for anything.

Thanks!

You are similar to me, but my fantastic NHS trust is refusing treatment.

Good luck

Yorkslad

It all depends on who you see i think....

This is my experience!

I had a new dentist who asked me if anyone had offered me jaw surgery to correct my bite. I said no but i was interested. She said, 'well its a big deal...its like being hit in the face with a bus so my suggestion would be to go away and look into it then if you would like to see someone i'll sort it for you and see if it can be on the NHS'

I went away, thought about it and then went to see my GP. He said he would book me in to see someone at the hospital.

The person i saw was really quite rude, me and my mum were not happy when we left. Basically he said he couldn't see much wrong with me and my xrays were ok. Then said 'do some jaw exercises and see how you get on...if you still ache etc then come back'
I nearly didn't go back as i felt so upset after how he spoke to me. He made me feel like I was a hypercondriac.

I returned for a second appointment a few months later...this time there was a new guy. He led me down on the bed and then said 'ok....so i'm going to be your ortho and i'm booking you to see a surgeon'
I thought...what the!!!

I had a meeting with the surgeon and ortho a few weeks later and they said to me
'you have the biggest bundle of problems i've seen in one mouth...i'm surprised you've not had this sorted sooner!'

So not long after i had my wisdom teeth on the bottom removed then the brace put on.


If i'd have listened to the first guy...and not gone back...I would never have had this treatment done.
If they say no....its worth seeing if you can get a second opinion