Declined Surgery - Now Second Thoughts - Pics

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Well a few months ago I said no to the surgery and told myself never

to come to this site again.

My braces could be off in a month or two and I am dreading that day -

Ending my treatment and still having issues with my bite.. (You'd

think someone would wanna get the braces as quick as possible huh!)

Overall - Am uncomfortable with my bite, have several of the

symptoms (mouth breating, openbite, minor speech impairments (I

don't like how my S's sound)) but, nothing major.. I think what is

making me hesitate is I don't find my bite that bad, and my open

bite is fairly minimal (however my orthodontist considers a 5mm

openbite as " severe " , and I am at about 4mm..) It's really hard to

convince myself to do the surgery for what seems to be a minor

detail.

So I am uploading pictures. I'd like to get opinions. How does my

bite compare to others? Anybody with a similar situation?

Pics are in " Files " under " RVM " .. Those are closed bites - I bite

down on my 2 rear molars, and the rest of the teeth do not touch -

but just barely.

Thanks to all in advance!

R

[Guest guest]

R-

I looked at your pics and your bite looks similar to the bite I had pre-surgery.

My pics are listed under Links and then under the file Photo Albums. I only have

pre and during recovery pics in there...I need to update them as I am now almost

3 months post-op. I had my lower jaw moved back.

I don't think physically I look very different now, but I am very happy with my

new bite. I have a little bit of numbness left on my lower right lip, but

everyday it gets better. My surgeon said it could take 6 months to a year to

come back...so hopefully it comes back.

The surgery isn't painful, but for me the liquid diet was the hardest part...but

just keep thinking that you will eat again in a few weeks. There are much worse

things in life to go through!

It's a personal decision, I don't think it will completely change your life to

do it..but if it could improve it...you should consider it.

" rvm.geo " robmasciotra@...> wrote:

Hello,

Well a few months ago I said no to the surgery and told myself never

to come to this site again.

My braces could be off in a month or two and I am dreading that day -

Ending my treatment and still having issues with my bite.. (You'd

think someone would wanna get the braces as quick as possible huh!)

Overall - Am uncomfortable with my bite, have several of the

symptoms (mouth breating, openbite, minor speech impairments (I

don't like how my S's sound)) but, nothing major.. I think what is

making me hesitate is I don't find my bite that bad, and my open

bite is fairly minimal (however my orthodontist considers a 5mm

openbite as " severe " , and I am at about 4mm..) It's really hard to

convince myself to do the surgery for what seems to be a minor

detail.

So I am uploading pictures. I'd like to get opinions. How does my

bite compare to others? Anybody with a similar situation?

Pics are in " Files " under " RVM " .. Those are closed bites - I bite

down on my 2 rear molars, and the rest of the teeth do not touch -

but just barely.

Thanks to all in advance!

R

[Guest guest]

Personally I'd say just do it and get it over with. The 2 months

pain and other issues caused by surgery are likely nothing compared

to the doubts and the what ifs you'll have for the rest of your life.

Plus, there's always the chance that by not correcting an open bite

you'll end up causing yourself many more ortho headaches in the

distant future.

Whatever you decide to do, just make a decision and never look back.

> Hello,

>

> Well a few months ago I said no to the surgery and told myself

never

> to come to this site again.

>

> My braces could be off in a month or two and I am dreading that

day -

> Ending my treatment and still having issues with my bite.. (You'd

> think someone would wanna get the braces as quick as possible huh!)

>

> Overall - Am uncomfortable with my bite, have several of the

> symptoms (mouth breating, openbite, minor speech impairments (I

> don't like how my S's sound)) but, nothing major.. I think what is

> making me hesitate is I don't find my bite that bad, and my open

> bite is fairly minimal (however my orthodontist considers a 5mm

> openbite as " severe " , and I am at about 4mm..) It's really hard to

> convince myself to do the surgery for what seems to be a minor

> detail.

>

> So I am uploading pictures. I'd like to get opinions. How does my

> bite compare to others? Anybody with a similar situation?

>

> Pics are in " Files " under " RVM " .. Those are closed bites - I bite

> down on my 2 rear molars, and the rest of the teeth do not touch -

> but just barely.

>

> Thanks to all in advance!

> R

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hay Rob,

Well your smile looks all together and visually good, but if you're

not biting down, I wonder, are things like eating much more

difficult? Sandwhiches tough to bite appart? And are you in any pain?

I can only tell you this Rob, from my experience...I didn't want to

do this either, I thought--it all looks ok, alligned well, (I had a

slight overbite AFTER braces-weird but true)...and again, I was like

who cares, it's fine...but as time went by, everything started to

move around AGAIN, even w/retainers...and when my gums were suffering

and the pain was growing and then the teeth themselves were going

places-and not good ones......finally I said -ok, so I'll do it bec 6

weeks of pain and discomfort is better than a lifetime full of

ouchies and bad health.

If you're about to get these braces off, ask them before...with my

open bite, what's the chances they will stay this way (alligned) for

the long term? OR will I be back in this chair later on w/o jaw surg?

I mean, no one wants surg if you don't need it, but listen/think

carefully.

I think it almost comes down to weighing options...and I said YES to

my future...i'm 8/9 and so excited, but ansty too!

good luck and let us know! JO

> Hello,

>

> Well a few months ago I said no to the surgery and told myself

never

> to come to this site again.

>

> My braces could be off in a month or two and I am dreading that

day -

> Ending my treatment and still having issues with my bite.. (You'd

> think someone would wanna get the braces as quick as possible huh!)

>

> Overall - Am uncomfortable with my bite, have several of the

> symptoms (mouth breating, openbite, minor speech impairments (I

> don't like how my S's sound)) but, nothing major.. I think what is

> making me hesitate is I don't find my bite that bad, and my open

> bite is fairly minimal (however my orthodontist considers a 5mm

> openbite as " severe " , and I am at about 4mm..) It's really hard to

> convince myself to do the surgery for what seems to be a minor

> detail.

>

> So I am uploading pictures. I'd like to get opinions. How does my

> bite compare to others? Anybody with a similar situation?

>

> Pics are in " Files " under " RVM " .. Those are closed bites - I bite

> down on my 2 rear molars, and the rest of the teeth do not touch -

> but just barely.

>

> Thanks to all in advance!

> R

[Guest guest]

I won't tell you what to do, but I hope my story will provide you

with some insight.

My overbite was 5mm too. For me, I wish I'd had the surgery 10

years ago (am 27 now, was 25 when I had my surgery, but 18 when

diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction with arthritis by age 23). With my

open and over bite, my muscles worked for years to position my teeth

to work, which has sacrificed the health of my jaw joints. I've had

three procedures on my left jaw joint, which is medically considered

to be moderately osteoarthritic. Three years ago, it was mildly

arthritic. Now my right joint is starting to follow in the

footsteps of my left joint. My point is that even though I am over

a year post-op from upper and lower surgery, it's very difficult, if

not impossible to repair jaw joints once damage has been done to

them, and having a malocclusion is like building a house with a bad

foundation. It increases the potential for problems, but the sooner

it's fixed, the more likely things are to stay where they should be

for a long time.

> Hello,

>

> Well a few months ago I said no to the surgery and told myself

never

> to come to this site again.

>

> My braces could be off in a month or two and I am dreading that

day -

> Ending my treatment and still having issues with my bite.. (You'd

> think someone would wanna get the braces as quick as possible huh!)

>

> Overall - Am uncomfortable with my bite, have several of the

> symptoms (mouth breating, openbite, minor speech impairments (I

> don't like how my S's sound)) but, nothing major.. I think what is

> making me hesitate is I don't find my bite that bad, and my open

> bite is fairly minimal (however my orthodontist considers a 5mm

> openbite as " severe " , and I am at about 4mm..) It's really hard to

> convince myself to do the surgery for what seems to be a minor

> detail.

>

> So I am uploading pictures. I'd like to get opinions. How does my

> bite compare to others? Anybody with a similar situation?

>

> Pics are in " Files " under " RVM " .. Those are closed bites - I bite

> down on my 2 rear molars, and the rest of the teeth do not touch -

> but just barely.

>

> Thanks to all in advance!

> R