Crossbite needing surgery to fix

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#1 Post by **Fathom** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:10 pm

So this is something that's been bugging me for a while, and I've been going back and forth between saying I should do it and I shouldn't do it for months now. I'm 21 years old, 22 in december. I went to see an orthodontist towards the beginning of the year, I guess out of boredom since I was unemployed. She told me I have a crossbite, and she thinks it's serious, and it needs surgery to fix. I never noticed it before, but I'm pretty self conscious and now that I know it's there I can't stop fidgeting with my mouth over it. I have no TMJ, no pain, no clicking, really no problems whatsoever, but ever since I was told about it the way my bite fits together feels uncomfortable to me and there is a relatively decent bit of cosmetic improvement that could be achieved through fixing it, though I guess that's up in the air.

Anyway, I guess I just want to see what you guys think, based on these pictures. Does this really warrant going through with $6k and a year or more in braces, plus surgery and who knows how long with a retainer? Could I do more damage than good? I've heard about people who lose feeling in their gums, and that right there seems to throw out my idea of getting a more comfortable bite out the window. Here's pictures:

#2 Post by **Fathom** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:12 pm

whoops, wrong link for the right side picture, go here instead:

#3 Post by **bbsadmin** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:24 pm

Please post photos, not links to photos. Recently members have had problems getting viruses by clicking on links to photobucket and imageshack. Thanks for understanding.

#4 Post by **Fathom** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:29 pm

Sorry about that.

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#5 Post by **planetpluto** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:58 am

yeah it does look out of alignment big time. you might not have pain now but you will later. i'd go for it. if you don't feel it's worth the money or don't HAVE the money.. wait. but you will have pain later. better to prevent than to try to fix, IMO.

#6 Post by **vicco1** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:25 pm

Im 19 and my situation almost sounds identical to yours. I have moderate crossbite. Pretty bad but not as severe as yours by the look of it. I went to see 3 orthos and 2 told me I should have surgery. The last ortho I saw uses suresile which the others didnt and he believes he can achieve enough expansion for a healthy bite and with the extra control suresmile gives will allow him to do so. If I were you I would get a few opinions from different orthos. Also if theres one that uses suresmile you should see them too. Its costing me about $1000 more but Im avoiding surgery and my time in braces from 24 months to 15-18 months.

#7 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 6:18 am

I don't disagree that it is a good idea to seek multiple opinions, but be cautious at reports that other orthodontists have found an alternative solution, yet not shown a final result yet.

Your lower jaw is definitely off to one side and your upper midline appears on. Even with expansion of the upper jaw, your lower jaw would still be off to that side if the length of one side of your mandible is larger than the other.

I personally try to avoid surgery for patients whenever possible, but from your comments, concerns, and a cursory look at your photos, it doesn't look like you would have a satisfactory result without combined ortho/surg.

There are definite risks involved and you can learn more about those from your orthodontist and oral surgeon. Ultimately, you'll have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. Good luck!

#8 Post by **Fathom** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:14 pm

So you don't think it's worth it to even do anything about it? Like the crossbite is so bad it's good?

For what it's worth, no one I've met has ever noticed there's anything wrong with my jaw, and my girlfriend never knew until I made the expression I did in the photos (showing my teeth biting down together) which I never do in person.

#9 Post by **Fathom** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:17 pm

Nevermind, kind of misread your post the first time. I don't really care about the surgery as long as the doctor says there won't be any horrible after effects like loss of feeling or difficulty speaking.

#10 Post by **gracey82** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:47 am

I have crossbite too but I correct it without surgery or extract of teeth.
I wasnt aware of my crossbite till i wear braces to correct overjetting teeth.
Like you i dont have any TMJ, pain, headche or whatsoever due to the crossbite. But I do believe in a long run, one side of my teeth will wear off sooner than the other because I have always been using one side of my teeth to bite. Now it's corrected, I can feel how its like to able to chew with both side of my teeth.