My braces journey...

[oimysizex]

Hello, I am a 19 year old female called Jamie from the UK. I've had TMJ since I can remember, it is quite severe, constant pain, cracking and popping, My jaw locks in my sleep and frequently wake up trying to 'force' my jaw open and it sometimes stays locked several hours after waking. I remember registering for a new dentist and when I went for first appointment at 16 and I was told that my bite was 'off' and that I 'may' qualify for braces and she would send a letter to a local NHS orthodontist. When the letter came through at aged 17, I was told to ring a number to book a first appointment. I got an appointment a few months later and i went through the initial assessment and was told the problem is really my jaw and my teeth are actually 'not that crooked'. I had to wait months to see the other orthodontist who specialised in jaw problems and once i first saw her (who is now my regular orthodontist) I was told i would need braces in conjunction with lower jaw surgery and chin surgery. The surgeon informed me that I also have a problem called 'nasal hyperplasia' which is a flat nasal bridge and that in the future he is going to send me to an ENT specialist. Before I had any treatment I was given a night splint to wear for 3 months due to bruxism.

Anyway, more to the point, The will move my lower jaw back 5mm and my chin UP 4mm. I have a cross bite with a class III 'skeletal pattern'. I had my bottom braces fitted in August 2012 at the age of 18, and then I had to wait till November for my top braces to be fitted, I think this is due to my bottom teeth being in worse condition or needing more movement. Before having my top braces placed, I had to have 2 premolars out. I had both Metal and rubber spaces and by far, the metal ones were the worst!!! So far, I have had 14 spacers in my mouth, NOT nice!!

I have been warned that surgery may not improve my TMJ and it may make it worse so I am aware of the pro's and cons.

I did have another journal on here, but I didn't think it was detailed enough and couldn't edit it so thought id have another go!!
Thank you for listening

[oimysizex]

Pictures..

[Tobilei]

Yowch, that's a lot of spacers! Glad your time in those is over!!

Are you going through with the surgery or you're still thinking about it (sorry if I read wrong and you mentioned you were or weren't getting it)?

[oimysizex]

I've got 8 in right now, i've had them in since Feb, im having 2nd molar bands put on in a couple of days.
I think im probably going to go through with whilst im young, i dont like the way my jaw and chin look because it makes my face look really long.

How far are you into your treatment

[nachoesq86]

I've got 8 in right now, i've had them in since Feb, im having 2nd molar bands put on in a couple of days.
I think im probably going to go through with whilst im young, i dont like the way my jaw and chin look because it makes my face look really long.

How far are you into your treatment

How many molar bands do you have in total?

[oimysizex]

I've got 8 in right now, i've had them in since Feb, im having 2nd molar bands put on in a couple of days.
I think im probably going to go through with whilst im young, i dont like the way my jaw and chin look because it makes my face look really long.

How far are you into your treatment

How many molar bands do you have in total?

So far, I have 4, one on each FIRST molar, I'm having them put on my second molars on thursday so I will have a total of 8 why do you ask

[Tobilei]

I've got 8 in right now, i've had them in since Feb, im having 2nd molar bands put on in a couple of days.
I think im probably going to go through with whilst im young, i dont like the way my jaw and chin look because it makes my face look really long.

How far are you into your treatment

I'm 5 1/2 months in. I didn't need surgery though, just teeth moved. Good luck with it and keep us updated

[oimysizex]

Thank you, I will post a reply tomorrow after my appointment

[oimysizex]

So, I went to my appointment today. I was seen 10 minutes early, (first time ever!!!!!!!!)
I told my ortho about my ligs snapping off and she changed them. She also replaced my top archwire.
She was meant to put molar bands on the 2nd molars today but is now doing that the next appointment, she also explained she is going to reposition 2 brackets on my bottom front teeth because they are pushing my teeth in the wrong direction, causing a gap

Next appointment is in june then another one in july!!! never get them this close!! things must be progressing

[nachoesq86]

I've got 8 in right now, i've had them in since Feb, im having 2nd molar bands put on in a couple of days.
I think im probably going to go through with whilst im young, i dont like the way my jaw and chin look because it makes my face look really long.

How far are you into your treatment

How many molar bands do you have in total?

So far, I have 4, one on each FIRST molar, I'm having them put on my second molars on thursday so I will have a total of 8 why do you ask

Because some orthos use only 4 and some 8 and others none, I don´t know the reason

[oimysizex]

Because some orthos use only 4 and some 8 and others none, I don´t know the reason[/quote]


Sometimes people only have 4 because they have crowns or large fillings in their molars and the brackets wont stick to the tooth so sometimes orthos just put a band on. Surgery candidates usually have 8

[Tobilei]

Glad you got those ligs sorted! And yay for close appointments! I hate when I have some that are far apart. Feels like the time just drags on and on!

[oimysizex]

my appointments are usually 3/4 month apart which is normal for NHS patients.
How are you today?:)

[Tobilei]

I'm pretty good! For the first month in a long time things aren't too ouchy and nothing is currently digging holes in my cheeks It's pretty exciting that things are so boring right now

My appointments are all over the place. Usually whenever they can fit my daughter and I in together (our ortho is super busy). I have a long adjustment this time because my ortho's wife is having a baby so he's away for 3 weeks. The one after that is only 4 weeks though. I think the quickest one I ever had was 3 weeks.

How are things going now with the new ligs and wire? Hope everything is good!

[oimysizex]

I'm sorry to hear that your appointments are all over the place, I know how you feel though!!! They shouldn't be like that for long though! well hopefully:)

ooooooh im in alot of pain. For some bizarre reason, the same top teeth have been constantly hurting since i had my adjustment. My 'dodgy' tooth at the front (the one next my big tooth on the right) is bent back on its self and its nearly straightened out! woo this was the main reason i had them put on in the first place hahaha