Orthodontist not cooperating

Message

#1 Post by **aussiere** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:48 pm

Hi All,

I am new to this board and I am very excited about having a place to go to ask my question.

My lips don't close naturally, gummy smile, open bite, etc. I contacted an oral surgeon years ago and he was going to perfom a lefort I osteotomy (I think) ???. The way he described it to me was that he was going to cut the upper jaw, remove some bone and move the jaw up. I did not have braces at the time and my surgeon was not entirely happy about that, but was going to perform the surgery anyway. Unfortunately, I moved out of state and did not get the surgery done.

Fast foward 16 years - I decided to go ahead and get braces and the surgery. Since insurance does not cover the cost, I was planning on going to Costa Rica. My orthodontist is very, very conservative and does not buy into my wishes to get my jaw fixed. His comment to me was that it was a major surgery and not warranted. So, why would an oral surgeon in Ohio plan on doing this 16 years ago?

How do I convince my orthodontist to cooperate. The surgeons in Costa Rica are asking questions and I can't get my Orthodontist to call me back.

I have wanted this for many years and have read enough message boards to know what I am getting myself into.

Thanks for your help.

#2 Post by bb » Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:11 pm

Obviously you want your ortho on board.
Can you find another ortho who's more open minded?

#3 Post by **maloccluser** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:06 pm

aussiere,

my question would be why are you so determined to have this surgery? it's possible that things may have changed over the past 16 years. i'd give more heed to what your orthodontist is telling you. at least try to get the details of why he or she is not recommending the surgery. once you have the details, then seek out a second opinion if you want.

typically the plan is designed before the braces even go on. did you discuss surgery with your orthodontist prior to beginning treatment?

#4 Post by **aussiere** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 8:27 am

I did tell my orthodontist during my consultation that I wished to pursue oral surgery. I did not expect him to not even discuss this with me 10 months after the braces are on.

The reason why I wish to pursue this is simply I wish more than anything not to have to worry if my mouth is closed. I don't like catching myself in the mirror and seeing my mouth open. I am extremely self conscious regarding this and if surgery can fix it, why not.

Regarding changing orthos, I have a contract and I am not sure I can do that without incurring additional costs.

Thanks for the feedback.

#5 Post by **Audra** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:50 am

If you are going to have jaw surgery, you really need to have an orthodontist who is on board with your decision.

Your teeth will need to be moved differently than if you were not going to have surgery.

Typically for a non-surgical treatment the teeth are positioned in such a way as to get a compromised result - where the bite is functional, but not perfect.

If you are going the surgical route, your bite will tend to get a lot worse before surgery as the surgery itself with correct the bite.

If your orthodontist has not planned your treatment this way, your outcome may not be what you hoped for.

#6 Post by **attackred** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 4:38 pm

did you disclose your intentions to have the surgery in costa rica initially?

#7 Post by **aussiere** » Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:04 am

I have not discussed going to Costa Rica. The last time I went in for an adjustment I asked the ortho for pics and x-rays for oral surgeon consultation. He gave them to me, but never said a word