Are Pre-Op Braces Required?

[Guest guest]

Just curious... It looks like I may be going thru with orthagnathic surgery for

my cross-

underbite.

I wore braces for 5.5 years when I was a kid... got totally straight teeth...

then a freak

growth spurt in my lower jaw.

Does anyone have any idea whether it's totally necessary to have braces before

surgery?

Do you need to wear them during surgery/recovery? I'm aware that I'll probably

need

them post-op...

Thanks!

Dara

[Guest guest]

Hi Dara -

Yes braces are required pre- and post-op. The length of time you

are in braces may vary depending upon your case but most people wear

braces 12-18 months before surgery and 3-6 months after. The braces

are worn throughout surgery and recovery. Many (not all) people

have their jaws fixed shut for a period of time post-op, and the

braces are used for this purpose. The length of time to have the

jaws fixed shut varies from a few days to a few weeks.

Personally I had braces for 19 months before surgery and I'm

expecting to have them for about 6 months after. My teeth were far

from straight when the process began. My jaws were fixed shut for 5

days post-op and now I have rubber bands to bring my teeth into

their final position.

Hope this helps,

Jay

> Just curious... It looks like I may be going thru with

orthagnathic surgery for my cross-

> underbite.

>

> I wore braces for 5.5 years when I was a kid... got totally

straight teeth... then a freak

> growth spurt in my lower jaw.

>

> Does anyone have any idea whether it's totally necessary to have

braces before surgery?

> Do you need to wear them during surgery/recovery? I'm aware that

I'll probably need

> them post-op...

>

> Thanks!

> Dara

[Guest guest]

Jay's right. Braces are a necessity. Sorry if that's not what you

were hoping to hear. I had braces for 1yr and 4mnths prior to

surgery. By my teeth were also far from straight. It will probably

be a shorter time period for you.

> > Just curious... It looks like I may be going thru with

> orthagnathic surgery for my cross-

> > underbite.

> >

> > I wore braces for 5.5 years when I was a kid... got totally

> straight teeth... then a freak

> > growth spurt in my lower jaw.

> >

> > Does anyone have any idea whether it's totally necessary to have

> braces before surgery?

> > Do you need to wear them during surgery/recovery? I'm aware

that

> I'll probably need

> > them post-op...

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Dara

[Guest guest]

I am in the midst of going through exactly the same thing. My lower jaw grew

extra long, and caused my whole mouth to go a little crazy. I will be having

upper and lower surgery on July 20th to correct this. As far as I know,

braces are required before, during, and after surgery! I got braces on in

November so the orthodontist could do a little adjusting to get my teeth in

just the right position for surgery. He also created a gap in my two front

teeth so the OS could make a break down the middle of my palate. And as for

during surgery, the braces are there to help band or wire the teeth together

and also to help keep the splint in place. I also had braces as a child (8

years total!) and was very upset about getting them back on.....but just grin

and bear it. In the end, it will totally be worth it! Good luck!

[Guest guest]

Well, actually, that isn't really so. There have been a few people

who were able to have the surgery wearing arch bars, by fluke or

otherwise. Most of us need not only some leveling and aligning, but

some manipulation of the bite to prepare for changes, as well.

A few folks do not. But here's a warning for you: From what I've

heard about arch bars, which are rigid wires wired onto the teeth

somewhere near the gumlines, so that the tissue can grow up over the

wires (OWWW!!), they're nasty. I'd much rather have had the brackets

and archwires, myself, and yes, even surgical hooks.

Ask your surgeon what he/she might plan.

I haven't heard of, or don't remember, anybody who didn't need some

sort of structure in there to help support the healing jaw.

Cammie

> > > Just curious... It looks like I may be going thru with

> > orthagnathic surgery for my cross-

> > > underbite.

> > >

> > > I wore braces for 5.5 years when I was a kid... got totally

> > straight teeth... then a freak

> > > growth spurt in my lower jaw.

> > >

> > > Does anyone have any idea whether it's totally necessary to

have

> > braces before surgery?

> > > Do you need to wear them during surgery/recovery? I'm aware

> that

> > I'll probably need

> > > them post-op...

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Dara