Update w/ pics - 6 months post-op

Message

#1 Post by **mp921** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:49 pm

Hi everyone!

I posted in the braces forum but decided to cross-post here. I'm 6 months post-op now. As to how I'm doing, pain and swelling free but I'll let my 6 month photos speak for themselves.

Here is what I posted on the other board...
I'm 6 months post-op (lower jaw advancement) and this is where my bite is at. This isn't where it was out of surgery, but this is where it is now. My Ortho has me in a class III triangular elastic on the left side and a crossbite elastic on the right. I was wearing an openbite elastic in the back on the right but he discontinued it to start the crossbite elastic.

So in all honesty, (Ortho's PLEASE feel free to chime in), is there any hope in correcting whatever in the world has gone wrong with my jaw/bite? And if so, why does it appear to be worse instead of better with continued ortho treatment? Has anyone had anything similar with great results from orthodontics? Remember, I'm post surgery! This began around 5 weeks post-op when my Ortho took over and has continued to 'look' worse ever since. Maybe it's all part of the plan and things are moving as they should, but I don't understand and I am unable to obtain a clear answer. I'm tempted to seek a second opinion but I want to make sure it's warranted before doing so.

Thanks!

Before Surgery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43202941@N08/3973915189/

6 weeks post-op
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43202941@N ... otostream/

6 months post-op
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43202941@N08/4363646763

6 months post-op
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43202941@N ... otostream/
-------------------------------------
http://archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.p ... 466#330466

#2 Post by **monarch** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:12 pm

I think it's really hard to tell with frontal photos, since some of this is about lower jaw advancement. Do you have profile shots?

I know that orthos sometimes have long-term plans that don't make sense unless they explain things. I think you should ask to meet with your ortho (maybe not at your regular appointments, because they are always rushed with all the after-school kids and whatever) but meet with him in the morning or whenever he has the most time, and tell him your concerns. Also, you may be able to talk with your surgeon about your concerns, and he should be able to give you his opinion. If you still feel worried after that, you could go to a different ortho for an opinion, although you might have to pay for the consultation, especially since you already have braces with someone else.

One small note, here: Keep an open mind when you talk to one or both of the doctors that did your work, and keep yourself as informed and educated as you can. If the ortho and surgeon have a close business relationship (referring patients to each other) they will most likely "have each other's back" and may not want to express anything negative about the results, even if it has not turned out how they expected. Sorry, not trying to be negative, but you look young from what I can tell in your photos and you may not be aware of the way some things in this world tend to work.

#3 Post by **monarch** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:18 pm

I meant to add that I notice that your midlines are not lined up yet...that is the space between your front top teeth should be lining up with the space between your bottom front teeth, maybe not perfectly, but they should be pretty close...

#4 Post by **mp921** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:35 pm

I look young and may not be aware of how things in this world work? What kind of response is that? I'm a 31-year-old business professional, but thank you for your insight on "how the world works". I'll take the "young" comment as a compliment if you are basing it on my photos.

I apologize if I took your comment the wrong way, but it came across as extremely condescending.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that my midlines are no longer lined up. Why in the world do you think I'm upset at how my treatment is progressing (or rather regressing)? But what you failed to ask was whether or not they ever lined up. Yes, for the first 5 weeks after surgery my midlines were perfect.

#5 Post by **monarch** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:28 pm

My most sincere apologies. I had meant to be helpful, and not condescending. I misjudged from the part of the face in the photo that I saw that you were possibly about 16 years of age, and asking for help. I saw that no one else had responded, and so I had wanted to be of service to what I thought was a young girl alone, without much support.

I am sorry that I am perceived as condescending. As my son's surgery was successfully completed almost a year ago, I only checked in on this board to be helpful. I was hoping to return the kindness that I had received here when I needed help myself.

Good luck with your treatment.

#6 Post by **mp921** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:33 pm

Thanks. I was hoping I misinterpreted.

#7 Post by **HokieTay** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:36 pm

Wow! Well you def don't look 31 around your mouth, so that's good?! I'm sorry your bite has regressed. I am confused on the last picture though. Is that how it is when you bite down?

After my surgery I was a little worried b/c I seemed to still have an overbite, but with elastics and adjustments my ortho got it to be as perfect as it will ever be within about 3.5 months after my surgery. So I don't think what your ortho is doing is right? I think you should def make an appointment and demand answers. Why was it good after surgery? And why does it seem messed up right now?

Good luck.

#8 Post by **mp921** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:24 pm

Thanks so much! My thirties have been great so far. I have a very active 3 1/2 year old little girl who keeps me young.

To clarify, the last picture is with my mouth open (not biting down). I wanted to show the discrepancy between the upper and lowers when I open my mouth. It's very noticeable when I talk. In all honesty, sometimes I feel I'd rather have the overbite than this.

Things just feel so unnatural and unattractive. I hate smiling. I have no idea where I'm supposed to be biting as I can force it in several different positions.

I trust my orthodontist but must agree that something is just not right, especially since my teeth and bite were near perfect right after surgery (or so I thought??). I called my orthodontist's office today and they scheduled me for a mini-consult with him on Friday. They made the appointment the last one of the day, for when he's finished with clinic patients. The lady asked me several questions on the phone to get a better understanding of what I want to discuss and when I think things went wrong. I was honest in that my bite seemed to fit together wonderfully after surgery until 5 weeks post-op with the ortho changed my arch wires and elastics. I am extremely nervous about meeting with him in private. Although I really like him, he intimidates me.

Would I be a total baby if I took my husband with me?

I'll update after I meet with my orthodontist on Friday. Wish me luck!