1) Overbite (10mm), overjet, gummy smile, lip incompetence, recessed lower jaw, breathing problems, severe grinding/clenching problems (broken and worn molars and headaches), TMJ, etc.
2)80% aesthetics, 20% function
3) The initial reason I decided to move forward with the surgery is for aesthetic reasons but now I know all that is wrong with me my desire to fix the functional problems is a lot higher. I am wondering why I lived like this for years as I knew I needed the surgery when I was in high school. I had straight teeth so I never wanted braces. Now I am almost 35 and KICKING myself!
1. Underbite (not sure of the severity just yet)
2. 99% aesthetic - 1% function
3. Yes, because my "alternative" braces option would take twice as long (4+ years) and cause gum issues
4. I live in Australia - I'm not sure how much I get back on braces but apparently for jaw surgery (for everyone) its about 30% back from medicare + health insurance altogether - so, no issues with insurance (yet) but I'm still paying many thousands of $ out of pocket.
2. I was pushed into it by dentists when I was younger, so I've known for many years that I would get it. At first only function, but now as I've gotten a lot more superficial and aware of how I look I can't wait to have a balanced face!
3. Yes; I've suffered from pain and have had a hard time eating etc.
4. Nope, when you're younger than 18 the government pays
1. Upper and lower asymmetry (causing an open bite on on side of my mouth), Maxillary Excess (causing lip-incompetance, dry mouth and a very gummy smile)
2. 60% Aesthetic, 40% function.
3. Not sure... possibly. But for me it's hard to seperate the two.. even the maxillary excess causes me a lot of functional problems because of the degree of lip-incompetance; and it causes gum damage which will only get worse over time.
4. I don't have medical insurance... because my country (UK) has National Healthcare provided "free"; but although I was entitled to it on the NHS, and the treatment was started; unfortunatly my surgeon retired, my local hospital, can't find another one and won't refer me to a different hospital. As a result I've had to pay privately.
1. Which problem do you have (or had, if you're on the other side already). --Teeth wear, problems breathing, open bite, gummy smile, bit of an underbite
2. How much of your motivation to fix this problem came from a wish to improve facial aesthetics, and how much of it came from a wish to improve function (which includes everything not related to aesthetics: future teeth wear, breathing problems, etc.) ? --Almost 100% functional. I sought braces because of crooked teeth. Orthodontist told me they could give me straight teeth, but the teeth wear and open bite would continue to get worse. After being 'in' the ortho world and doing research, I realize that things like my gummy smile are because of my bite, but I didn't even realize that was an issue until after I decided to do surgery.
3. If you were told by the surgeon that surgery will not improve your looks, will you do it anyway ? --Yes, definitely. I don't think I look too bad--I'm happy with my aesthetics. Not thrilled, but happy. Now that certain things have been pointed out to me by the surgeon, I'll be happy that they're 'fixed', but they alone would not be enough motivation for me.
4. Did you have any trouble getting insurance to pay for surgery ? (will be interesting to see if the answer to this question will correlate to the answers above) --I'm not going to know 100% until after everything is billed, but so far it looks like there will be no problem.
1. narrow upper jaw, some crowding, mouth breather
2. 80% aesthetics, 20% functionality
3. Probably
4. No, almost 100% was covered under private health and Medicare (Australian public health system) for surgery, but braces I have to pay about 80% of the total cost.
1. Difficulty speaking due to mis-aligned jaw, open mouth is irritating and jaw constantly clicks/grinding sounds. It feels like my front teeth/jaw are being pushed out, even though visually it doesn't seem that way.
2.Aesthetics never became an issue until rather recently. I have reasonably good genetics, and the jaw problems are not the result of genetic preconditions. I would probably still get the surgery even if aesthetics weren't an area of interest if I had the resources.
3. Yes.
4. Did you have any trouble getting insurance to pay for surgery ? (will be interesting to see if the answer to this question will correlate to the answers above)
1. Which problem do you have (or had, if you're on the other side already).
Asymmetry, very uncomfortable bite, TMJ, small airway.
2. How much of your motivation to fix this problem came from a wish to improve facial aesthetics, and how much of it came from a wish to improve function (which includes everything not related to aesthetics: future teeth wear, breathing problems, etc.) ?
80% Functional. 20% Cosmetic I think these go hand in hand actually. Although my reasoning for surgery is more functional, my appearance being affected is a motivator as well. People with perfect bites and symmetrical structure tend to have better appearances, in my opinion.
3. If you were told by the surgeon that surgery will not improve your looks, will you do it anyway ?
Yes. I look just fine as it is, but surgery for my functionality is my main motivator for surgery.
4. Did you have any trouble getting insurance to pay for surgery ? (will be interesting to see if the answer to this question will correlate to the answers above)
I just graduated college and now have Aetna Indemnity PPO. I hope I don't have problems. They should cover 80% of everything from what I understand.
1. Which problem do you have (or had, if you're on the other side already).
TMJ pain and degeneration, muscle pain, headaches, grinding, tooth pain. Class II malocclusion.
2. How much of your motivation to fix this problem came from a wish to improve facial aesthetics, and how much of it came from a wish to improve function (which includes everything not related to aesthetics: future teeth wear, breathing problems, etc.) ?
100% functional. I opted to not do the recommended genioplasty because I felt my face looked fine and didn't want to have a strong, pointy chin.
3. If you were told by the surgeon that surgery will not improve your looks, will you do it anyway ?
Yes. I actually think my face/teeth are slightly less attractive after surgery. If my TMJ problems go away then it will be a good trade off imo. Nobody can see a difference in my facial appearance that isn't in the dental field.
4. Did you have any trouble getting insurance to pay for surgery ? (will be interesting to see if the answer to this question will correlate to the answers above)
Insurance doesn't pay for this. Completely out of pocket.
Upper segment and lower jaw advancement on June 23, 2010.
1. Class 3 malocclusion (underbite), lower protruding jaw, underdeveloped upper jaw, midline was off, jaw was slightly slanted and flat/sunken cheeks.
2. 90% looks, 10% function. I could speak and eat properly when I had my problems.
3. No.
4. My insurance, medical savings and a Singapore government subsidy paid for the surgery. Before I found out that I could qualify for this scheme, yes, I had a lot of problems raising the money because I would have to pay the full rate, which is about SGD $25,000 or more.
As a result I've had to pay privately.
