Re: Orthognathic Surgery

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/2/02 2:15:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

duane_emory@... writes:

<< After doing research on different web site and boards it sounds like

this procedure is not as simple and painless as the Ortho makes it

out to be. >>

Hi Duane. My ortho had an extremely vivid way of describing the magnitude of

lower jaw advancement--he called it " controlled facial assault. " Simple and

painless, it ain't. When I told my surgeon what my ortho said, he

laughed...at first...then said that that description is not too far off.

My advice echoes what everyone else has said--get a second opinion, or even a

third. As for me, I was having severe functional problems--my lower teeth

were being ground away to iddy, biddy stubs; bridges were breaking apart in

my mouth; the roots of teeth were splitting--all because of the odd angles of

the stresses and pressure due to my severe overbite. Chewing food was a

nightmare (probably why this liquid diet is not so bad for me now...) I was

told that even false teeth or a full set of implants probably wouldn't

survive in my mouth. (I turn 44 years old in ten days so you get an idea of

where I am in age.)

Like most things in life worth having, however, the surgery is not without

risks. I was willing to take the gamble. (I'm three weeks post-op.) You'll

probably be better able to decide what kind of gamble you want to take,

however, with more information.

I wish you all the best in making your difficult decision.

Lexi

[Guest guest]

Duane,

I was in exactly the same position as you, and was considering all 3

options. I also narrowed it down to 2 and 3, but every dental

professional I spoke to said the same about number 2 'It will help but

you probably won't be very happy with it'. One surgeon even commented

that just having braces alone could have a 'detrimental effect

comestically'! (not quite sure why?).

I have a 10mm overbite and will have lower jaw advancement, and my

other issue is that my lower teeth hit my upper palate which would

probably not be corrected by braces.

I don't know how similar your case is to mine, but with me I was told

that if I just get braces, once the treatment is complete my bottom

lip and tongue will be forever pushing the front teeth out. I guess a

retainer can help this as well.

So I have signed up for the whole thing! All I keep thinking is that

in 2 years it should all be over (imagine if you had started this 2

years ago!).

As for recovery you will find a lot of info in previous posts from

those who have had the surgery already. Looks like a long haul, but

from what I can see there are many many satisfied customers!

Hope this helps and good luck!

Josie

> Hello,

>

> I am a brand new member and am seeking opinions from others who have

> had the lower jaw extended.

>

> My Orthodontist has told me I have an overbite that can not be

> completely corrected by braces alone. My lower teeth are splayed

> out and if he brings them more upright it will still leave me with

> an overbite even after braces. I have three choices:

>

> 1) Do nothing (I am 40 and have lived this long with it)

> 2) Straighten my teeth with braces as my top teeth are really

> crooked. This is the main reason I went to the Orthodontist.

> Leave my bottom teeth mainly the way they are (they are pretty

> straight). By doing this my bite will be better.

> 3) Straighten all my teeth including bringing my front bottom teeth

> more upright and 1 year into braces get my lower jaw extended

> a little bit.

>

> After doing research on different web site and boards it sounds like

> this procedure is not as simple and painless as the Ortho makes it

> out to be. I am trying to decide between options 2 and 3. I know I

> have to make the final choice but really need to find out how many

of

> you who have had similar surgery are left with lasting problems

> (numbness...) Can I expect to be back to 100% again and how long

> will this take? Any advice or opinions is appeciated!

>

> Thanks,

> Duan

[Guest guest]

First qualifyier, Duane:

I have not had the surgery yet. Talk to me about that, come july,

There are, perhaps, a few more consideratiosn you didn't mention.

One is long-term retention. As I understand these processes, you are

more likely to have the teeth stay where they're put if the two jaws

match up. And less likely if they don't.

Another is the possibility of temporomandibular joint trouble. I

personally don't believe that anybody can make any meaningful

promises about what's gonna happen with that in the long run, or

whether surgery will help or hurt. But some folks believe something

different.

Another thing is the contribution crooked teeth can make to gum

disease and bone loss. That was the concluding factor for me. And why

I decided to go ahead with the lower advancement and braces.

Does your ortho have a recommendation in all this?

On the other side, you should consider the risks and decide whether

the surgery is for you.

You could relapse.

it is indeed " a big operation, " and the recovery is not an easy one.

It is not more demanding than you can handle, but it is not a simple

matter.

Some people do wind up with nerve loss, and you can lose teeth in the

process.

General anesthesia, which is needed, also carries its own risks.

It is expensive surgery. Some insurance policies do not cover it, and

others have had to fight to win coverage.

Read, read, read, lots of posts. Get second opinions, and third and

fourth ones, if you feel you need them. Whatever else you do or do

not do, I would advise you to get as much info as you can, consider

it carefully and make the decision a considered one.

There are also many, many people who are so very pleased with the

outcome of these procedures that they find them transforming and life-

altering. Usually that realization comes a while after surgery, and

after the period of desperate unhappiness and desperate posting that

can follow immediately upon the surgery. So try to consider these

things in perspective, too.

Best wishes for you in whatever you decide.

Cammie

[Guest guest]

If you don't keep the braces immaculately clean, they encourage the

buildup of tartar and plaque. Some folks also get discoloration with

braces, or root resorption, or occasionally, broken or otherwise

damaged teeth.

No guarantees in this life, except that you choose carefully, both

what you want done and the folks who will do it for you, Josie.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the response! I believe I have about an 8mm overbite

so it is similar to yours. The other thing is that my bite does

not bother my in any way currently. No TMJ or headaches and my

profile will be basically unchanged if I do get the surgery. Seems

like a large risk just to make my bite perfect. What percentage of

people who only have the lower jaw extended end up with some

permanent nerve loss? Any ideas? I have to switch my insurance to

Kaiser to get this covered but imagine it will not be as simple as

that

Thanks!

Duane

> > Hello,

> >

> > I am a brand new member and am seeking opinions from others who

have

> > had the lower jaw extended.

> >

> > My Orthodontist has told me I have an overbite that can not be

> > completely corrected by braces alone. My lower teeth are splayed

> > out and if he brings them more upright it will still leave me with

> > an overbite even after braces. I have three choices:

> >

> > 1) Do nothing (I am 40 and have lived this long with it)

> > 2) Straighten my teeth with braces as my top teeth are really

> > crooked. This is the main reason I went to the Orthodontist.

> > Leave my bottom teeth mainly the way they are (they are pretty

> > straight). By doing this my bite will be better.

> > 3) Straighten all my teeth including bringing my front bottom

teeth

> > more upright and 1 year into braces get my lower jaw extended

> > a little bit.

> >

> > After doing research on different web site and boards it sounds

like

> > this procedure is not as simple and painless as the Ortho makes

it

> > out to be. I am trying to decide between options 2 and 3. I

know I

> > have to make the final choice but really need to find out how

many

> of

> > you who have had similar surgery are left with lasting problems

> > (numbness...) Can I expect to be back to 100% again and how long

> > will this take? Any advice or opinions is appeciated!

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Duan

[Guest guest]

Duane,

First, a disclaimer. Without knowing the particulars of your case,

and having not had the surgery yet, my opinion is worth very little.

But since you asked for it so nicely....

I would try at all costs not to have the surgery unless I was either

in chronic, unrelenting pain (which I am), had severe functional

issues (which I do) or was terribly unhappy about my appearance.

Like Cammie and Josie have said, there are many other

considerations. I would amass all of the information that I could as

far as what the long term effects *might* be with and without having

the surgery vs. with/without having orthodontia alone. When push

comes to shove, if I could avoid having surgery I would.

Good luck,

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice. I currently have no real problems such

as TMJ, pain, or anything except my bite is off. My profile

will be basically unchanged. The more I hear about people left

with numbness/nerve damage the more I am thinking this

surgery may not be wise just to get a correct bite.

Thanks,

Duane

Re: Orthognathic Surgery

Duane,

First, a disclaimer. Without knowing the particulars of your case,

and having not had the surgery yet, my opinion is worth very little.

But since you asked for it so nicely....

I would try at all costs not to have the surgery unless I was either

in chronic, unrelenting pain (which I am), had severe functional

issues (which I do) or was terribly unhappy about my appearance.

Like Cammie and Josie have said, there are many other

considerations. I would amass all of the information that I could as

far as what the long term effects *might* be with and without having

the surgery vs. with/without having orthodontia alone. When push

comes to shove, if I could avoid having surgery I would.

Good luck,

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

One other thought, Duane, for whatever it's worth.

That you're not having functional problems now does not mean that you

won't develop them, with or without surgery, alas. I didn't have

functional problems for a long time, and then I didn't know that I

had them when I did. The TMJ has actually become worse, as has my

bite, while I've been in braces. (And I can't tell you how many other

things I'd rather have done with the $$$).

I think the risks of enduring numbness and nerve loss is pretty

small, and so is the administration of anesthesia today. (Although

there is a very real,if minimal chance, that things can go wrong.)

I am surprised that changing an 8 mm overbite will not change your

profile. Guys, is this usual? I dunno a lot about such.

And again, I am the apostle of long-term retention. Be sure to

discuss this with your ortho and surgeon. It may be that they can

reassure you, if you're willing to wear retainers forever. Or it may

be that you'll have no trouble anyhow. But it's a question worth

asking and weighing carefully.

[Guest guest]

Duane - If I can just toss my 2 cents in here . . . I'm 7 months

post-op (can't believe it!) and it was well worth everything (the

cost, the difficult recovery, etc.) Of course it's not an easy thing

to go through, but the benefits last the rest of your life! Recovery

was tough, I won't deny it, but looking back on it now, it seems like

a minute out of my life. If your doctors are recommending this for

you, go for it. The benefits far outweigh the risks! Keep reading

posts and check out the links to the other websites so you can make

an informed decision, but I just wanted to add the successful post-op

perspective to the replies you've gotten. Good health, including

healthy jaw function, is priceless (not to mention the cosmetic

improvement!) Best of luck to you.

~Nadine