Braces - prep for jaw surgery

[PrincessLea]

Hey everyone I'm a Uk newbie to this forum :)

I'm about to start my brace journey this thursday and although I really do not want them I am weirdly excited? I need to have 2 wisdom teeth out in May. This is all in preparation for my jaw surgery next January. I have an anterior open bite so I will need at least my top jaw broken but possibility of my bottom one too! Its all very scary but I have had a lot of time to get used to it.

Is there anyone else that has had jaw surgery for an open bite?

How bad is the pain after having the brace on/wisdom teeth extraction??

Thanks :)

[trossi]

Hey I am also getting jaw surgery for an open bite. I haven't gotten this set of braces on yet but I have had braces before. They aren't that bad really, you get used to them pretty quick. The braces themselves just give you a feeling of pressure when they are tightened, it doesn't really hurt. More like a headache. I have had extractions but not wisdom teeth particularly. I can tell you this much, extractions was the easiest part. You don't feel anything because you are either drugged up or completely out. It was a great experience, I didn't even feel pain afterwards, but I iced a lot. I have known many people who had wisdom teeth out and said it went really well with very little pain. They were also recovered in no time.

[Emmauk]

Hi

It sounds like we are quite similar, although i am slightly ahead of you. I had my wisdoms out in October then braces fitted in Nov and am due for double jaw surgery for an open bite as and when ready.

The wisdoms were fine i had them all out plus another tooth under GA, felt a bit groggy but was back to usual the next day. The stitches were irritating but i popped along to my dentist and he pulled them out for me rather than wait for them to disolve.

Where in the UK are you? i am in the South East.

[PrincessLea]

Trossi - thanks for your advice it really has put me at ease! you hear these horror stories and they really do get your mind wandering. Yeah I will be under GA for my wisdom teeth and I'm so glad about that! You will have to keep me updated with your progress too!

Emma - It does sound like we're on route for the same thing. They haven't confirmed I will be having both jaws done but I do think they will end up doing. the only reason I am having my bottom wisdom teeth out is incase of bottom jaw surgery too. And tbh I'm no surgeon but looking at other before and afters I think I could benefit from getting it done!

I'm in the North west myself! I was told I needed this surgery when i was 16 but didn't want to go ahead with it. I'm now 23 and wishing I had just got it out of the way. Excited though to be getting the process started! :) when do you think you will be ready for the surgery??

[Emmauk]

I was told i should get it done when i was about 13 but the surgeon scared me half to death and i wouldn't have it done. Its bothered me all my life and wish really they'd have discussed it with me rather than just blurted the gory details at me..... Nevermind.

My Ortho suggested 18months with braces initially then surgery then a further 3 ish months of bracing before the permanent retainers. Although on my last visit he did say if it all carries on moving this quickly i would be ready sooner. The only downside to that is that there isnt a surgeon at the moment, he left the hospital last summer and they havent yet replaced him so i could be in for a very long wait. Have to wait and see.

[Crazy4Snow]

I don't know about the jaw surgery but I've had my wisdom teeth taken out and one of them was impacted, this was 20+ years ago. I felt nothing while it was being done, I was totally out/asleep. Afterward there was some bleeding but it stopped late the next day. Pain was minimal as I took the painkiller's on time everytime, I didn't want them to wear off. I did get "dry socket" but it was my own fault as I love drinking through a straw and continued to do so against the advice of the endodontist.

I cannot stress it enough...no straws, no smoking, no sucking and you should be fine.

Good luck!

[Lc1987]

Heyy, I'm going through the same process as you pretty much. I'm also 23 and from the northwest uk.

I had my bottom wisdom teeth removed in Feb...I was under GA so that was fine, mine were under the gum still (compact?)
I actually felt ok pain wise...but I was being sick and feeling very bad after. I later realised this wasnt normal and it turns out my body didn't like the co-codamine. I came off this when i realised (4 days later..oops) and i was fine after that.

The stitches came out about 2 week later naturally and left holes at the back...which worried me a little but i read its normal. I just carried a mini torch and Interdental Brush for after meals, so i could carefully take any bits away that were blocking the holes then swill my mouth with warm salt water. When I went back they said it had healed nicely, so thats my advice to you :) My holes are still there but are very small now, so it does take a while to heal.

I had my top brace fitted on Monday, i've got achey teeth & the wire kept grabbing my cheek...ive put wax on it for now but shall be telling them when i go back in 6 weeks to make sure its properly trimmed! I'm starting to get used to the brace and honestly...it doesnt look half as bad as i'd expected. I got light pink bands on as it looks most natural and discreet to me.

I am having top & bottom jaws moved forward and my chin moved backwards to match the new jaw (apparently) though i havent spoken to anyone about whats happening since the first meeting with the surgeon & orthordontist. I think I'm also having one side of my jaw shortened as its slightly asymmetrical.

Its kinda nice to see there are other people my age going though the same thing :)

Any questions just ask...though I've already managed a mini essay here oops!

[Emmauk]

Hi

Have they given you an aproximate time scale for surgery??

It looks like there's a few of us at similar timmings.

x

[poppy123]

Hi I am from the uk too, Manchester. I'm not having jaw surgery or wisdom teeth removed so not really got much go add to this post ha ha, am just gate-crashing lol. I just wanted to say hi to some fellow uk-ers! I'm in ceramic top and bottom, was supposed to just be having top done but 6 mths in a got jaw lock (or is is lock jaw!?) so my ortho decided to brace my bottom teeth to sort out my jaw misalignment,so it means another 9 months in braces. It's been a breeze tho (apart from the jaw lock) so I'm ok with it all. I feel lucky that I don't need surgery or teeth removed so I wish you all luck x

[PrincessLea]

well the op one is on! it didn't hurt getting it done but ouchy its aching now!!

emma -yeah the orthodontist scared the hell out of me when i was younger too, thats why i didn't get it done. i have been told 9 months before surgery and 3-6 months after but i'm not sure this will happen. we shall see. i'm really hoping it all goes to plan. one of my best friends is getting married next summer and i would love to not be braced for it. thats so crap about the surgeon situation :( i hope you get one soon!!

crazy - thanks for the advice. i was scared but everyone has made me feel so much better about it! i will stick to the pain killers and avoid straws haha. i have never had an operation so obviously i do feel scared but i'm sure i will be fine!

LC - i love finding out people my age are going through the same thing. i read on another thread you said because of your job you're scared about having the brace. i'm the same. i'm a graduate trainee and move teams every few months. on top of that our role includes public speaking, having a LOT of meetings and networking!

my wisdom teeth are under the gum too. thanks for the advice with the op, it doesn't sound all that bad! yeah my brace is making my teeth ache so much now. i've been avoiding taking any medicine but i think i'm going to have to take a paracetamol so i can have a bit of tea at least!

poppy - wow thats ace they could sort out your jaw problem without surgery! :) :)

Good luck to everyone in their treatments

Leanne

[Lc1987]

Heyy Leanne, I haven't been taking any tablets, I just took some before i went for the fitting. I shall do the same when i go for the next appointment.

We seem to have alot in common lol. Your also called Leanne...your nearly 24 and your from the northwest having a similar treatment to me. Defo have to keep me updated on your progress, Its cool that they gave you an estimate for the op...I haven't been told, they just said they would see how it was looking in 6 months.

Ah work is the biggest bother with me too ( oh and men :S ). I work with people in the media industry...looks tend to be a big issue, though i'm sure i will be fine...just dont want to look young/unprofesh thats all!

Hope your first meal isnt too painful! It does get better


Leanne

[PrincessLea]

I didn't even see this reply....

Lc1987 - we do seem to have tons in common! how strange!! Yeah, definitely keep me updated on progress - its like we're brace/jaw buddies ha! I was a bit bothered about going into work - but it hasn't really been as bad as I thought. The annoying thing is meeting up with friends who don't know I've had a brace..... annoying long convo about them!

Well I've been in braces for over two weeks now. At the beginning I didn't beleive it when people were saying it would get better - I did really struggle with eating for the first week or so. It definitely has got better though. It does still hurt when I eat most foods but it is bearable so I just power through! I'm even getting used to the feel of having them in my mouth. I'm anzious for my next adjustment now - I want to start seeing results!!

[PrincessLea]

its my first tightening today..... scared much??? haha

[Molly25]

So weird to find out other people are going through pretty much the exact same thing! Im in Yorkshire and been in braces for 3 weeks now. I've been told its 9months to a year before my double jaw operation (and possibly chin) and then 4-6 months after.

Well meaning friends and family keep saying "there are loads of people wearing braces"...I'm like, are there, are there really?!? I only see the 13 year olds so its good to know you're out there!

Good luck with everything guys!

[Lc1987]

Hey Leanne, how'd the tightening go for you? I've just had mine done today...so far it doesn't seem too bad

Leanne