Issues with jaw since adolescence, now adult.

[TravisJH]

I need some help in figuring out what to do about my jaw. Im in my late 20's now and have been dealing with this problem since I was in my early teens. My lower jaw is retruded. My profile looks odd/small and from the front it looks like I dont have much of a chin. My face looks small and my lower jaw looks non-existent. Since the age of 14 I have always held my jaw open and forward, which helps the look on my face but also allows my tongue enough room. If I talk with my jaw relaxed, I have a little bit of a lisp. I have jaw pain when I chew, and not sure if its related, by the sides of my face near my temples swell after eating tough foods, steak for example. I am an attractive guy when my jaw is open and extended, I look like I should when I do this (looks like me as a child) but its uncomfortable. When I keep it relaxed, I look odd, and its uncomfortable to talk, swallow.

A little background:
-Face changed shape between ages of 13 and 15.
-At age 11, my face looked okay. However, I had an overbite or overjet. I could take my tongue and insert it through my front teeth and down.
-Wore braces age 10 through 15.
-I was a heavy mouth breather and still am.
-Orthodontist fixed my front teeth. They feel inline. I wore a palate extender on top and head gear also. After headgear I had my incisors shaved down, cant recall why. I dont recall any teeth being extracted except for my wisdom teeth.
-As a kid up until age 11 or 12, the shape of my face was good, looked normal. At around age 14 I really started to notice my lower jaw or lack of and have been holding jaw open and extended ever since.
-Tongue feels too small for my mouth.
-No chin, face looks "small", lack of lower jaw.
-Trouble sleeping/breathing in sleep.

I really need to get this fixed, for mouth comfort, health issues and the physical aspect of it would definitely help.
I need some guidance, and not sure who to talk to or how to go forward. I do not currently have a orthodontist. I only have a dentist I see every now and then for cleanings, its not a very good place to get advice, even if I had a cavity, I wouldnt get it filled there, cleanings only.
I feel really bad now that I should of brought this to someones attention as a child, but I was always embarrassed about it and never linked the jaw to the teeth and vice-versa until a couple years ago. Its now time to do something about it, and any help is appreciated.

-Travis.

[TravisJH]

Also, to add to my post, I was curious how jaw surgery would work if my teeth have been straightened? I believe that the orthodontist I had somehow straightened them the wrong way, without worrying about facial appearance and restriction to my throat and focused more on my teeth.

Who is the best person to contact first? An oral surgeon? I have called numerous orthodontists but cannot find one who isnt a general orthodontist and will know how to fix my jaw. My next idea, im assuming, is to just go straight to an oral surgeon who might know how to fix my jaw. I just really would like to get this looked at, I cant go day to day holding my jaw open. Its become a habit now doing it for 13+ years, its tiring, but hard to breath when its relaxed, almost to the point of snoring while awake and also confidence-wise, it helps. Even though as soon as I talk, you can tell..but still I keep my jaw open to have room while speaking. Either way, theres no win-win and I would like to have this fixed.

[bmueller]

I think you need to go to an orthodontist first. They can identify if it is a tooth issue or a skeletal issue. If it does require surgery, they will then refer you to an oral surgeon.

I don't believe you can typically have jaw surgery without having braces. You will need to have your teeth properly aligned within your jaws before the surgeon will correct the jaw position. The orthodontic work done previously may have moved the teeth to make the teeth work properly within your bite, but may not necessarily be correctly lined up in the jaws anymore.

[theman]

Do you have insurance that would pay for the surgery? If so, do it ASAP. The surgery changes optimizes your appearance, which in turn gives you a huge confidence boost, which in turn enhances your personality! There is NO reason to do it if the cost is covered.

If the cost isn't covered...hmm. It's definitely more of a grey area. I'm inclined to say you should do it if you have a decent enough income. It's really is a life-altering procedure.

[effleess2]

My situation is/was similar to yours, though maybe not quite as extreme. That said, I did not have treatment until well, well, well, into adulthood. I'm 21 months in braces so far. Teeth lined up very nicely and quite quickly. The big problem has been getting my gaps to close where they did the lower extractions (to make room to "stand" my lower teeth over my jaw (instead of the flare which you likely have, or had).

Figure out a way to do it and do it. I'm only sorry I did not do it at your age.