Nasal blockages and jaw deformities

[tonightwefly]

Is it common to have some form of nasal airway obstruction alongside having jaw problems? I will be seeing an orthodontist soon where i can ask him directly.

I've had difficulties breathing through the right side of my nose for over 10 years now. It feels as if some part of my right sinus is inflamed because it is usually partially blocked. That side doesn't drain properly, I guess you could say. 10 years ago, the last time I tried to figure out the reason for this, I was sent to an allergy specialist who could not really give any diagnosis. Nobody really had any clue.

It would be a huge relief to know that my nasal problem might actually have to do with my jaw deformity. My question is - Can something like this be fixed during orthographic surgery? And have there been cases out there where patients were able to breathe properly post surgery?

Thanks!

[Marisama]

I just had surgery for the same reasons that you say you need surgery. Asymmetry and difficulty breathing out of my right nostril. My asymmetry has been corrected and it is now effortless to breath out of both nostrils.

[azjaw]

This is the main reason I want to have jaw surgery. I hate not being able to breath through my nose very well and my nose feeling really stuffy all the time. I have read conflicting accounts about whether jaw surgery can help. Some people talk like it is a miracle and they can breathe really well and others say it made the problem worse. I have decided I am going to spend a week in the library reading all the medical journal articles I can find on the topic. I feel like I need more information to be able to make the right decision.

[Anastasia8]

Jaw surgery often ends up widening the airways making breathing through the nose easier.

[Vantwins]

Yes, they can/should fix both at the same time. Make sure you use a surgeon who understands and will address both issues!
Vanessa

[Corrinne]

I should be having double jaw and genioplasty surgeries for an underbite, this year.

I have suffered with a stuffy nose and a feeling of blocked sinuses for years. My ENT specialist said I have narrow passages (I also suffer with eustacian-tube dysfunction), he diagnosed me with 'mid-facial segment pain' and prescribed a mild-antidepressant. This diagnosis was before I was referred for jaw surgery. Midfacial pain being the symptoms of facial pressure, headaches, stuffy nose.... its all very vague.
The anti-depressant didn't work, so I stopped taking it and self-diagnosed that I was having allergies (as an asthma and eczema sufferer, and allergic to most pollen, make-up, bath/shower products, fabric washer... ), I thought it was a reasonable assumption.

However, since i was referred for the surgery I have often wondered if my small upper jaw and TMJ was the cause of my permanently stuffy nose. I also sound very nasal when I speak.
I'd like to think that there is something to be done

[Michealscott30]

Great post I think I have the exact same problem. I have a terrible time breathing through my nose because my right nostril has a significantly narrower passage. Since its so much of an effort to breathe through my nose I end up breathing through my mouth when I sleep. I wake up with cotton mouth all the time which is a sign of sleep apnea. It's annoying not getting a good nights sleep, unfortunately I can't afford surgery at the moment. If there are any other mouth breathing sleepers try sleeping on your side. It seems like I breathe a lot easier that way. If you do end up getting the surgery please let us know if your nose airway clears up.

[Beebop]

Yep, same issues here - I have had nasal issues since I can remember... When I was 14 I had surgery on my nose and had the bones trimmed back, it made a slight difference but I am still blocked and have restricted breathing through my nose. I sleep with my mouth open as a result and have a bad habit of dribbling on my pillow !

My consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon has told me that having upper jaw surgery will help my nose breathing get better. I have an under developed upper jaw which is the problem, causing reduced airways, and as a result i also have an underbite.

So currently in braces getting my teeth sorted ready for surgery (upper, lower and genio). Been in almost 12 months now but looks like a while longer. Teeth don't move as fast as when you were a teenager!!

[Corrinne]

@Beebop

That's good to know!

Looks like I'm having the same surgeries as you too. Ill make sure when I eventually see my surgeon again, to ask him as much as I can on this. Especially since I have never mentioned my breathing troubles to him so far.

(Also like you I'm a mouth breather when I sleep. I hate it. It's not the most attractive look....)

[Beebop]

@Beebop

That's good to know!

Looks like I'm having the same surgeries as you too. Ill make sure when I eventually see my surgeon again, to ask him as much as I can on this. Especially since I have never mentioned my breathing troubles to him so far.

(Also like you I'm a mouth breather when I sleep. I hate it. It's not the most attractive look....)

Hi Corrinne, would be interested in what your surgeon says on the subject for sure. Hope you have a positive meeting... Mouth breathing sleep isn't great no, usually ends up with a wet face and a soggy pillow

[Corrinne]

@Beebop

soggy pillow! Funny but sadly true...

I have no idea when my appointment will be (not in the next month or two anyway) but I will be sure to post here when I have spoken to him (with my gigantic list of questions in hand)!

[Lc1987]

This is interesting....

I always feel the need to blow my nose/sniff as i feel a bit blocked and i always breathe through my mouth.
I nearly always wake up with cotton mouth and occasionally dribble haha.
I also struggle to get a good nights sleep and generally wake up feeling drained.

It would be awesome if my jaw op cured this too...i never really put two and two together!

[animalcroc]

you may have a deviated septum. i do

[overbiter]

So do I.

[saggyhaggis]

I have a very narrow arch which I am hopefully getting sarpe to correct soon. I had a deviated septum and had a septoplasty to sort this. My nose breathing has improved but not by a great amount. I still sleep with my mouth open as I cannot get a good enough breath through my nose.

I imagine that sarpe will help this as it will expand the nasal passage.