Advice for a middle age guy?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my underbite

fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have not

spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

Two questions for y'all:

1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand bucks?

$20 thousand More?)

2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a toothy

smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point. I

think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi Serious Beer Lover,

This is a very personal decision not to be made lightly.

If you are looking into lower surgery only, the procedure is far less invasive

and expensive than the entire ball of wax. It is commonly done outpatient and

the recovery time and discomfort is minimal and very managable....(I hear).

Cost varies considerably based on Dr.'s, facilities and geography.

If your under bite is significant enough to impair your chewing ability or you

have any TMJ clicking and popping your surgeon might be able to convince your

insurance company to give in. Appeal and beg is the game they play. They want

you to work for the money.

Braces are a must.....$4000-$8000, never covered by insurance. If you live close

to a large teaching hospital, the possibility of getting a better deal is good.

$1500 to be a teaching aid where I live. (my son is currently a guinea pig at

Baylor)

Someone else will have to fill in the surgery $$ range. I have the works and

can't remember the breakdown of upper, lower...etc. The total came in the

$40,000 range. 80% covered by insurance.

I have noticed on this site that even those who enter this journey for purely

medical reasons (I was one) find the esthetic benefit profound. The ability to

smile with confidence is a light in your soul that you carry 24/7 the rest of

your days. I didn't realize how guarded I was until I didn't have to be. Even my

shoes looked better....I was even a better dancer.....go figure.

My opinion..... as long as you are not starving your family to pay for it,

anything you do for yourself that boosts your confidence and self worth is not

selfish. This is your life, your body, your experience....the extraordinary lies

in the details.

Guiness?

Cyn

Advice for a middle age guy?

Hi,

Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my underbite

fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have not

spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

Two questions for y'all:

1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand bucks?

$20 thousand More?)

2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a toothy

smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point. I

think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hello

I'm the classic middle-ager... Had lower advancement surgery at 56,

only a few months shy of 57.

I dunno at what age you are contemplating the surgery, but I can tell

you that it could turn out to be more of a functional move than a

cosmetic one, not that there's anything wrong with cosmetic motives,

either (to paraphrase everybody on Seinfeld). Many times, especially

as we age, bites that are out of whack cause other troubles, from

cracked teeth, to extraordinary wearing to deterioration of the

joints -- which in turn can lead to migraines and other troubles. I'm

not saying any of this WILL happen, nor that surgery can PREVENT

them. I'm telling you that they are side effects of not having the

balanced bite that have led more than one patient into surgery, and

for which a well-working bite has brought many relief.

You probably will have to push your insurance company to get

approval. One suggestion: pursue it under MEDICAL, not DENTAL. And as

correction of a skeletal, congenital malformation, not as TMJ

surgery, not cosmetic, etc. When you get to the point, ask an

orthodontist and a surgeon for an opinion about insurance company,

and about payment options. And yep, most folks need braces before

and/or after, and generally insurance companies pay only a part of

this, if any, under DENTAL coverage.

If you need genioplasty (work on the chin) that is generally ruled

cosmetic, and is not covered.

my lower advancement was $10,000 to the hospital, roughly, and $6,000

to the surgeons, again, roughly.

For me, it was worth it. I had severe periodontic problems, was in

danger of losing teeth, and these have improved enormously now that I

no longer have that " destructive bite. "

Turn it around, in terms of thinking about your family. Suppose your

significant other or your child needed this repair. Or even " wanted "

this repair. How would you feel about that?

You won't die of a bad bite, even if you do lose teeth, in this era.

It is elective surgery, and it is a decision for you. One would hope,

with your family's support, but that is sometimes a difficult thing

to arrange, for a number of reasons.

Do have a look at the photos, here and on site 2. (There's one on

site 2, from a fellow named Tom, that will show you what changes can

be wrought. Probably there are some here, too, although I don't

remember which ones.)

Best,

Cammie

> Hi,

>

> Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

>

> For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

underbite

> fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

not

> spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

> confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

>

> Two questions for y'all:

> 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

> clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

bucks?

> $20 thousand More?)

>

> 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

toothy

> smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point.

I

> think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

> need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

>

> Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Cyn,

How do you guys manage to get things done so cheap at Baylor?

I just received another phone call from Dr. Wolford's office

reminding not to forget to cough up $5K BEFORE surgery - this is

after he received full guarantee letter from my insurance with all

the fees itemized along with full approval of ALL the procedures

he listed, including wisdom teeth extraction - yes, my medical

insurance agreed to pay for it as well! - having best possible

(and damn expensive) PPO which pays 80% and only $2,400 out of

pocket out of network, having Baylor as an in-network contracted

hospital (just $150 for all hospital stuff) I still end up with $5k

out of pocket only for him - it does not sound cheap to me

to be a guinea pig at Baylor!

Val

> Hi Serious Beer Lover,

>

> This is a very personal decision not to be made lightly.

> If you are looking into lower surgery only, the procedure is far

less invasive and expensive than the entire ball of wax. It is

commonly done outpatient and the recovery time and discomfort is

minimal and very managable....(I hear).

>

> Cost varies considerably based on Dr.'s, facilities and geography.

> If your under bite is significant enough to impair your chewing

ability or you have any TMJ clicking and popping your surgeon might

be able to convince your insurance company to give in. Appeal and beg

is the game they play. They want you to work for the money.

>

> Braces are a must.....$4000-$8000, never covered by insurance. If

you live close to a large teaching hospital, the possibility of

getting a better deal is good. $1500 to be a teaching aid where I

live. (my son is currently a guinea pig at Baylor)

>

> Someone else will have to fill in the surgery $$ range. I have the

works and can't remember the breakdown of upper, lower...etc. The

total came in the $40,000 range. 80% covered by insurance.

>

> I have noticed on this site that even those who enter this journey

for purely medical reasons (I was one) find the esthetic benefit

profound. The ability to smile with confidence is a light in your

soul that you carry 24/7 the rest of your days. I didn't realize how

guarded I was until I didn't have to be. Even my shoes looked

better....I was even a better dancer.....go figure.

>

> My opinion..... as long as you are not starving your family to pay

for it, anything you do for yourself that boosts your confidence and

self worth is not selfish. This is your life, your body, your

experience....the extraordinary lies in the details.

>

> Guiness?

> Cyn

>

>

>

>

>

> Advice for a middle age

guy?

>

> Hi,

>

> Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

>

> For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

underbite

> fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

not

> spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

> confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

>

> Two questions for y'all:

> 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

> clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

bucks?

> $20 thousand More?)

>

> 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

toothy

> smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point.

I

> think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

> need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

>

> Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

The cost I spoke of was just for simple braces for my 11 year old son.

I had my upper/lower 3 years ago at Baylor as well. Because I was a private

patient of the Head of Orthodonics and also Oral Surgery my total came to the

mid 40's as I said.

The Ortho alone was $3000 out of pocket, There was also $250 for gingival graft

and $250 for wisdom tooth extraction. I paid 20% of the rest and may still have

to cough up for the $3000+ anesthesia.

Had I not had insurance I would have been a guinea pig and gotten out a little

better. The choice to be a personal patient of the instructors and pay more was

mine.

Cyn

Advice for a middle age

guy?

>

> Hi,

>

> Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

>

> For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

underbite

> fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

not

> spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

> confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

>

> Two questions for y'all:

> 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

> clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

bucks?

> $20 thousand More?)

>

> 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

toothy

> smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point.

I

> think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

> need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

>

> Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was 41 when I had my lower advancement and upper widening. I

definitely didn't see it as being selfish or emotional. Sure, it was

something that I did for myself, but it was in order to help prevent

the bad things that go along with having a bad bite (wear and tear on

your teeth and gums).

Have your dentist set up a meeting with an orthodontist that has

experience with orthognathic patients. They will be able to tell you

more of what might be involved. Then, get a recommendation from the

ortho for a surgeon. The surgeon will tell you even more of what can

be done. Talk to your surgeon about the insurance and how they had

denied it. You will have MUCH greater possibilities of getting it

covered under major medical than under dental. Dental usually sees

this as cosmetic. Major medical see it as a congenital defect much

the same as being born with a club-foot (that's how my surgeon

explained it to me).

My total bill was about $30k. $20k for the hospital and $10k for the

surgeon (Insurance covered it). My braces were an additional $4500

out of pocket.

And certainly DO NOT forget about the support of your family and

especially the great folks here on this board. They helped me out

tremendously when I went through it.

> Hi,

>

> Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

>

> For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

underbite

> fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

not

> spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

> confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

>

> Two questions for y'all:

> 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

> clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

bucks?

> $20 thousand More?)

>

> 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

toothy

> smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point.

I

> think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

> need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

>

> Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I don't know how true this is, but a worker in another oral and

maxillofacial surgeon's office (not that of my surgeon) told me

regarding insurance: If it has to do with the teeth, it's dental; if

it has to do with the jaw, it's medical.

Later, I found that she didn't know everything, as I got one appeal

approved on a totally different procedure as " medical " when she'd

assured me it would never happen. It was clearly medical, the result

of a medical problem and the insurance company agreed and paid it.

That's where I learned the trick of asking for a review by a panel of

oral and maxillo-facial surgeons, which my own surgeon suggested to

me.

You gotta push, unless you have a surgeon and people in the office

who know how and will do the pushing for you.

Cammie

> > Hi,

> >

> > Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

> >

> > For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

> underbite

> > fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

> not

> > spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is

very

> > confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

> >

> > Two questions for y'all:

> > 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> > elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards.

Any

> > clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

> bucks?

> > $20 thousand More?)

> >

> > 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

> toothy

> > smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this

point.

> I

> > think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than

physical

> > need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

> >

> > Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi Beer Lover Guy,

By the way I forgot to tell you that I was almost 39 when I had my surgery.

Crisis....why no,

Cyn

Re: Advice for a middle age guy?

I was 41 when I had my lower advancement and upper widening. I

definitely didn't see it as being selfish or emotional. Sure, it was

something that I did for myself, but it was in order to help prevent

the bad things that go along with having a bad bite (wear and tear on

your teeth and gums).

Have your dentist set up a meeting with an orthodontist that has

experience with orthognathic patients. They will be able to tell you

more of what might be involved. Then, get a recommendation from the

ortho for a surgeon. The surgeon will tell you even more of what can

be done. Talk to your surgeon about the insurance and how they had

denied it. You will have MUCH greater possibilities of getting it

covered under major medical than under dental. Dental usually sees

this as cosmetic. Major medical see it as a congenital defect much

the same as being born with a club-foot (that's how my surgeon

explained it to me).

My total bill was about $30k. $20k for the hospital and $10k for the

surgeon (Insurance covered it). My braces were an additional $4500

out of pocket.

And certainly DO NOT forget about the support of your family and

especially the great folks here on this board. They helped me out

tremendously when I went through it.

> Hi,

>

> Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

>

> For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

underbite

> fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

not

> spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

> confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

>

> Two questions for y'all:

> 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

> clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

bucks?

> $20 thousand More?)

>

> 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

toothy

> smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point.

I

> think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

> need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

>

> Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeff, I am a presurgical patient. I've had braces for about a year now. I'll

be having my surgery around the end of July. We're waiting for a couple of teeth

to move a tiny bit more. It sounds like you're considering the same surgery I'm

having. I'm having my lower jaw moved forward. I empathize with you about not

smiling. I haven't smiled without my hand in front of my mouth in 38 years. So

I'm right with you! As far as the financial end of the procedure, your medical

insurance not dental will cover. Word of advice! Make sure you find an oral

surgeon who accepts your insurance. I know this sounds like a no brainer but my

orthodontist recommended my oral surgeon and said he works closely with him. So

of course I would use his service. This surgeon doesn't accept my insurance so I

have to pay him up front $5500 then submit the claim to my insurance who will

then reinburse me. But everything else (hospital, anesthesia, etc.) will be

covered. Some surgeons have a payment plan that you can apply for, mine does and

I'm considering that. On the emotional end, if doing this will boost your self

esteem then do it!!!!!!! I've noticed just the changes from the braces have

boosted my confidence. I am kind of nervous about the surgery itself but I'm

trying to focus on the outcome. That's what I'm looking forward to! If anyone

tells you it's a midlife crisis, the hell with'em! They're jealous because their

smile will never be as dazzling as yours!! So after 45 years it's time to learn

to smile!!! Okay.. I'll get off my soapbox now. Good luck to you. I hope all

goes well! Mitzi

Re: Advice for a middle age guy?

I was 41 when I had my lower advancement and upper widening. I

definitely didn't see it as being selfish or emotional. Sure, it was

something that I did for myself, but it was in order to help prevent

the bad things that go along with having a bad bite (wear and tear on

your teeth and gums).

Have your dentist set up a meeting with an orthodontist that has

experience with orthognathic patients. They will be able to tell you

more of what might be involved. Then, get a recommendation from the

ortho for a surgeon. The surgeon will tell you even more of what can

be done. Talk to your surgeon about the insurance and how they had

denied it. You will have MUCH greater possibilities of getting it

covered under major medical than under dental. Dental usually sees

this as cosmetic. Major medical see it as a congenital defect much

the same as being born with a club-foot (that's how my surgeon

explained it to me).

My total bill was about $30k. $20k for the hospital and $10k for the

surgeon (Insurance covered it). My braces were an additional $4500

out of pocket.

And certainly DO NOT forget about the support of your family and

especially the great folks here on this board. They helped me out

tremendously when I went through it.

> Hi,

>

> Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

>

> For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

underbite

> fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

not

> spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

> confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

>

> Two questions for y'all:

> 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

> clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

bucks?

> $20 thousand More?)

>

> 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

toothy

> smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point.

I

> think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

> need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

>

> Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I had this surgery last July when I was 52. I had braces first and

although I had an open bite my problem was that I was hitting on only

one tooth when my teeth closed and that tooth hurt. I didn't have

joint pain and could eat and everything, I was just having tooth pain

in one tooth. The braces actually solved it and I seriously

considered not going thru with the surgery. I can only speak for

myself, but I wish I had not had the surgery. It was a horrible

experience, the recovery is very hard, and now all my teeth between

where cuts were made in my upper jaw are numb and painful--not just

the one tooth I started with. the orthodontist has done several bite

adjustments to no avail and I will be seeing my surgeon soon and will

be asking if there is any other explanation for it. I was not so

concerned about my appearance but don't thind the change in my face

was any better--just different.

I feel being older may impact recovery. As I said, this is only my

opinion, but knowing what I do now, if I had it to do over again, I

would have just stopped at the braces.

[Guest guest]

I was 46 when I had upper & lower for an overbite & open bite. My

insurance covered most of it because of TMJ (which actually never

bothered me) but my motivation was to save my teeth from bone loss.

But having said that, I can also tell you that I have recently fallen

seriously in love with the perfect man. I can say that because it's

still early in the relationship. But, he happened to mention once

that the first thing he noticed about me was my smile... and that

just never happened in the first four+ decades of my life.

All the best to you. Let us know what you decide! Kris

> Hi,

>

> Found this site looking for info on fixing class 3 underbites.

>

> For my Official Mid-Life Crisis, I'm considering having my

underbite

> fixed. It looks like surgery might be the order of the day (have

not

> spoken with surgeon/orthodontist yet - just my dentist who is very

> confident surgery to lower jaw will be necessary).

>

> Two questions for y'all:

> 1. As far as my insurance company is concerned - this would be

> elective/cosmetic surgery and therefore not covered. Bastards. Any

> clues what it will cost me (just a rough idea - A few thousand

bucks?

> $20 thousand More?)

>

> 2. Is it worth it?? I've gone 45 years without smiling (not a

toothy

> smile anyway...) and I wonder if it's worth changing at this point.

I

> think I would be doing it more for emotional reasons than physical

> need and can't help feeling selfish for even considering it.

>

> Any input would be much appreciated. - Thanks!