So, I had my orthodontist consult for me today! I was all excited until they showed me the pictures of my jaw and how my lower jaw tilts forward and my upper jaw is severly narrow, etc. I managed to talk the ortho out of the surgeries but he wants to extract a tooth on the bottom(IN THE FRONT, of course) and I'd be in braces for 2 years. I have so many problems I think I lost track at one point and kept asking, "Wait, what did you just say about my molars and the wear on them?" or I think maybe I just sat there in shock! I mean, I knew my teeth were in bad shape but I didn't realized how bad it was until they got started talking to me!
Now, I'm just wondering if I get the braces will I have issues down the road anyway? He basically said that if I get the braces I'm going to have a better probability of keeping my teeth longer b/c my gums will be healthier b/c we'd at least take care of the crowding.
How did the simple idea of braces get so crazy???
I'm a candidate for jaw surgery????
Moderator: bbsadmin
My ortho had similar suggestions. His concern is that my palette (roof of mouth) is too narrow, and he wasn't sure he could align the bite properly using braces alone.
When we're kids, our palette is still soft, and can be expanded using retainers (which I actually had when I was a kid). As adults, that palette hardens and can only be widened by surgically "breaking" it (not as bad as it sounds), then using a device to expand the top bite. This is the SARPE that everyone talks about.
I went to an oral surgeon, and the surgeon didn't seem to agree that the palette width was an issue. However, the surgeon was concerned that we wouldn't be able to get the ideal bite in the front teeth, and he wanted to do lower jaw surgery whereby they move the jaw back a few millimeters.
When I told my dentist this at a routine cleaning, he strongly discouraged the jaw surgery for me, because the change wouldn't be significant and there's a risk of loss of feeling, since the lower jaw is home to a lot of nerves.
Since the oral surgeon wasn't very responsive about insurance proposals (or anything else, for that matter), and I didn't want the jaw surgery anyway, I'm going with just braces starting next month.
One of the things the ortho mentioned is that we could extract two of the lower biscuspids (one on each side), and use braces to move my front bottom teeth around to fill the gap. This would provide a non-surgical solution if he can't get the bite to line up ideally.
However, the extractions are only a possibility at this point; we're going to do a few months in braces to straighten out my teeth first.
Anyhoo, to finally answer your question... I wouldn't be too concerned about being a candidate for surgery. In some cases it's very necessary, in others it's just one avenue to try to create the ideal bite. Even if they can't get the ideal bite with braces alone, they may be able to get very close, and close is good enough.
My suggestion is to be open-minded about surgery, but if there exists a braces-only treatment plan and the ortho is confident it will solve your problems, and you don't want to opt for surgery, then don't.
P.S. Sorry if I explained things you already knew.
When we're kids, our palette is still soft, and can be expanded using retainers (which I actually had when I was a kid). As adults, that palette hardens and can only be widened by surgically "breaking" it (not as bad as it sounds), then using a device to expand the top bite. This is the SARPE that everyone talks about.
I went to an oral surgeon, and the surgeon didn't seem to agree that the palette width was an issue. However, the surgeon was concerned that we wouldn't be able to get the ideal bite in the front teeth, and he wanted to do lower jaw surgery whereby they move the jaw back a few millimeters.
When I told my dentist this at a routine cleaning, he strongly discouraged the jaw surgery for me, because the change wouldn't be significant and there's a risk of loss of feeling, since the lower jaw is home to a lot of nerves.
Since the oral surgeon wasn't very responsive about insurance proposals (or anything else, for that matter), and I didn't want the jaw surgery anyway, I'm going with just braces starting next month.
One of the things the ortho mentioned is that we could extract two of the lower biscuspids (one on each side), and use braces to move my front bottom teeth around to fill the gap. This would provide a non-surgical solution if he can't get the bite to line up ideally.
However, the extractions are only a possibility at this point; we're going to do a few months in braces to straighten out my teeth first.
Anyhoo, to finally answer your question... I wouldn't be too concerned about being a candidate for surgery. In some cases it's very necessary, in others it's just one avenue to try to create the ideal bite. Even if they can't get the ideal bite with braces alone, they may be able to get very close, and close is good enough.
My suggestion is to be open-minded about surgery, but if there exists a braces-only treatment plan and the ortho is confident it will solve your problems, and you don't want to opt for surgery, then don't.
P.S. Sorry if I explained things you already knew.
Skyhawk, you answered my question perfectly! This is where I think I'm headed. I'm going to go with the single tooth extraction on the bottoms and get both bottom and top braces to align everything. I'm thinking that close is better than what I have now anyway.
I've read up on jaw surgeries and since I don't handle anesthesia or pain meds well, I was not open to this idea anyway!
I was just surprised by what he told me!
I've read up on jaw surgeries and since I don't handle anesthesia or pain meds well, I was not open to this idea anyway!
I was just surprised by what he told me!
I had the same reaction about surgery. My first thought was "my teeth aren't that bad, are they?"
Surgery isn't just for the major cases, a surgical procedure can help even if you think your teeth are mostly in line. However, all surgeries have risks, and you may not get insurance coverage for the surgery.
I don't want to deter people from it, though. If you try to do things with braces that simply can't be done with braces alone, you'll end up causing more harm than good.
What encouraged my ortho was that my third molars (wisdom teeth) do actually match up where they should, which indicated to him that the palette may be wide enough now without having to do surgery to widen it more. The extractions would therefore be used to make my front teeth align where they ought to.
All these different treatment options and their pros/cons were explained to me in advance, which makes me feel better about the strategy I chose.
I can't stress enough the importance of communicating with your ortho as much as possible in advance. My whole consultation process was completely hassle free; he laid everything out there and didn't pressure me at all. I read some of the stories on this web site about less-than-ideal customer service, and I'm pleased to say I've experienced none of that.
This is a big decision for us, as I'm sure it is for you. My insurance won't cover a dime of adult orthodontia, so this is all out-of-pocket for me, and it's not an easy financial commitment to make. Best to have all of your questions answered and your concerns addressed, so you feel completely comfortable with the process.
Surgery isn't just for the major cases, a surgical procedure can help even if you think your teeth are mostly in line. However, all surgeries have risks, and you may not get insurance coverage for the surgery.
I don't want to deter people from it, though. If you try to do things with braces that simply can't be done with braces alone, you'll end up causing more harm than good.
What encouraged my ortho was that my third molars (wisdom teeth) do actually match up where they should, which indicated to him that the palette may be wide enough now without having to do surgery to widen it more. The extractions would therefore be used to make my front teeth align where they ought to.
All these different treatment options and their pros/cons were explained to me in advance, which makes me feel better about the strategy I chose.
I can't stress enough the importance of communicating with your ortho as much as possible in advance. My whole consultation process was completely hassle free; he laid everything out there and didn't pressure me at all. I read some of the stories on this web site about less-than-ideal customer service, and I'm pleased to say I've experienced none of that.
This is a big decision for us, as I'm sure it is for you. My insurance won't cover a dime of adult orthodontia, so this is all out-of-pocket for me, and it's not an easy financial commitment to make. Best to have all of your questions answered and your concerns addressed, so you feel completely comfortable with the process.
me too...
Hey all,
my ortho told me the same thing - I need jaw surgery... but after asking around, all orthos tell virtually all patients this. I have a feeling they get a comission from the surgeon (just a suspicion). I've decided against it, my jaw hasn't bothered me for 25 years - why should I change it now... right?
my ortho told me the same thing - I need jaw surgery... but after asking around, all orthos tell virtually all patients this. I have a feeling they get a comission from the surgeon (just a suspicion). I've decided against it, my jaw hasn't bothered me for 25 years - why should I change it now... right?
"all orthos tell virtually all patients this. I have a feeling they get a comission from the surgeon (just a suspicion)."
Umm... I think that's nonsense.
I had jaw surgery because my lower jaw was longer on one side, and my uper jaw was too small. If I hadn't had surgery, there would have been no point in getting braces because my teeth wouldn't have stayed straight. I trust my orthodontist and his recommendations. However, it's a personal decision - do what's right for you. I just don't think there is a conspiracy between orthos and surgeons - many people legitimately need surgery in order to sort their teeth out, or to fix other problems (sleep apnea for example). [/quote]
Umm... I think that's nonsense.
I had jaw surgery because my lower jaw was longer on one side, and my uper jaw was too small. If I hadn't had surgery, there would have been no point in getting braces because my teeth wouldn't have stayed straight. I trust my orthodontist and his recommendations. However, it's a personal decision - do what's right for you. I just don't think there is a conspiracy between orthos and surgeons - many people legitimately need surgery in order to sort their teeth out, or to fix other problems (sleep apnea for example). [/quote]
momtogrif:
I've read this post several times. I feel compelled to post. I have my surgical consult on May 2. I looking at my x-rays, I see issues but I'm not sure I'm ready for surgery. Before you commit to treatment including extractions, get at least two more consults. If they also suggest surgery, seriously consider it.
Many have cam through it and have high praise. The only person that I personally know (excluding those on this list) referred to it as four weeks of &&&&. I then asked her if she'd do it again. She quickly said yes.
I would not have started this process if I'd thought surgery was in my future. There are certain medical issues that surgery may help. These include TMJ issues plus while the surgery is being done my sinus cavity may be reconfigured. There are risks involved, but for me, the potential gains outweigh those risks. Fully consider it before you turn it down. Don't commit to anything that prevents you from changing treatment options in the future.
Mike
I've read this post several times. I feel compelled to post. I have my surgical consult on May 2. I looking at my x-rays, I see issues but I'm not sure I'm ready for surgery. Before you commit to treatment including extractions, get at least two more consults. If they also suggest surgery, seriously consider it.
Many have cam through it and have high praise. The only person that I personally know (excluding those on this list) referred to it as four weeks of &&&&. I then asked her if she'd do it again. She quickly said yes.
I would not have started this process if I'd thought surgery was in my future. There are certain medical issues that surgery may help. These include TMJ issues plus while the surgery is being done my sinus cavity may be reconfigured. There are risks involved, but for me, the potential gains outweigh those risks. Fully consider it before you turn it down. Don't commit to anything that prevents you from changing treatment options in the future.
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.