Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has recommended surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than average but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't going to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. It's a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces for another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has recommended surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than average but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't going to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. It's a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces for another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Thanks , I appreciate the advice. Sounds like you're going to have a busy year, with 2 surgeries. Good luck! _____ From: georgek042003 Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 1:03 PM To: orthognathicsurgerysupport Subject: Re: Open Bite Hi: Your case sounds very familar to mine. I have been in braces now for 19 months and was told that it would be only 18 months. I have a slight open bite along with my midline off by quite a bit. I was told about 6 months back that I wouldn't need the surgery, and then was told about 2 months ago the day before I had knee surgery that the jaw surgery was back on. If I would of known that, I probably would of postponed the knee surgery because of my leave situation at work. You could imagine after taking off a month for knee surgery going into my employer telling them that I will need another 3 to 4 weeks off for another surgery. I like you figure that after the surgery, I will be in braces for another 6 to 9 months. Yes, that is a long time, but I am not quitting now when I am more than half way done. Hang in there!! Just think if you back off now, you will more than likely regret your decision in the future, not to mention the problems you may have from not having the surgery. If you are like me, your open bite makes it hard to properly chew food. Best of luck!! > > I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has recommended > surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is > open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be > moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than average > but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a > highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't going > to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. It's > a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months > more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces for > another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of > the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the > risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Thanks , I appreciate the advice. Sounds like you're going to have a busy year, with 2 surgeries. Good luck! _____ From: georgek042003 Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 1:03 PM To: orthognathicsurgerysupport Subject: Re: Open Bite Hi: Your case sounds very familar to mine. I have been in braces now for 19 months and was told that it would be only 18 months. I have a slight open bite along with my midline off by quite a bit. I was told about 6 months back that I wouldn't need the surgery, and then was told about 2 months ago the day before I had knee surgery that the jaw surgery was back on. If I would of known that, I probably would of postponed the knee surgery because of my leave situation at work. You could imagine after taking off a month for knee surgery going into my employer telling them that I will need another 3 to 4 weeks off for another surgery. I like you figure that after the surgery, I will be in braces for another 6 to 9 months. Yes, that is a long time, but I am not quitting now when I am more than half way done. Hang in there!! Just think if you back off now, you will more than likely regret your decision in the future, not to mention the problems you may have from not having the surgery. If you are like me, your open bite makes it hard to properly chew food. Best of luck!! > > I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has recommended > surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is > open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be > moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than average > but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a > highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't going > to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. It's > a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months > more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces for > another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of > the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the > risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Hello, I just had the surgery less than a week ago and I am recovering very well. It is good that you wore the braces first so Ortho could get them in the best position before the sugery. The surgery can't take place until the repositioning is complete. Once the surgury is done it is just a matter of fine tuning your bite with the braces. I am 29 as well and went back and forth several times about getting it done. My friends think I am crazy for doing it. I found you must decide if you can live with or without it and you must make the decision alone. To me, I have worn braces for 18 months and I want to be able to smile with strait teeth when it's all said and done so, i'm going all the way. I will tell you it's not as bad as you think. Pain was not really a factor. The worst part is swallowing on the first day. After that it's a piece of cake. You learn to get real creative with a blender/food processor. The most important thing is taking it easy for awhile to let your body heal. I have some numbness and tingleing on the right side of my chin. I figured that would happen. I have talked to two people about 6 months ahead of me and the feeling returned in both cases. It's up to you man. You have to decide if it's worth it not. Good luck, Calvin --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has > recommended > > surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is > > open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be > > moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than > average > > but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a > > highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't > going > > to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. > It's > > a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months > > more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces > for > > another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of > > the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the > > risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Hello, I just had the surgery less than a week ago and I am recovering very well. It is good that you wore the braces first so Ortho could get them in the best position before the sugery. The surgery can't take place until the repositioning is complete. Once the surgury is done it is just a matter of fine tuning your bite with the braces. I am 29 as well and went back and forth several times about getting it done. My friends think I am crazy for doing it. I found you must decide if you can live with or without it and you must make the decision alone. To me, I have worn braces for 18 months and I want to be able to smile with strait teeth when it's all said and done so, i'm going all the way. I will tell you it's not as bad as you think. Pain was not really a factor. The worst part is swallowing on the first day. After that it's a piece of cake. You learn to get real creative with a blender/food processor. The most important thing is taking it easy for awhile to let your body heal. I have some numbness and tingleing on the right side of my chin. I figured that would happen. I have talked to two people about 6 months ahead of me and the feeling returned in both cases. It's up to you man. You have to decide if it's worth it not. Good luck, Calvin --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has > recommended > > surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is > > open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be > > moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than > average > > but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a > > highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't > going > > to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. > It's > > a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months > > more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces > for > > another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of > > the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the > > risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Thanks for being straight Calvin and for the encouragement. I realize I'm the only one who can make the decision. When it's all said and done, I would love to have a bite that closes for functional and cosmetic reasons. What were the specifics of your case? Have any pics? Thanks, _____ From: trojanhorse75 Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 11:28 PM To: orthognathicsurgerysupport Subject: Re: Open Bite Hello, I just had the surgery less than a week ago and I am recovering very well. It is good that you wore the braces first so Ortho could get them in the best position before the sugery. The surgery can't take place until the repositioning is complete. Once the surgury is done it is just a matter of fine tuning your bite with the braces. I am 29 as well and went back and forth several times about getting it done. My friends think I am crazy for doing it. I found you must decide if you can live with or without it and you must make the decision alone. To me, I have worn braces for 18 months and I want to be able to smile with strait teeth when it's all said and done so, i'm going all the way. I will tell you it's not as bad as you think. Pain was not really a factor. The worst part is swallowing on the first day. After that it's a piece of cake. You learn to get real creative with a blender/food processor. The most important thing is taking it easy for awhile to let your body heal. I have some numbness and tingleing on the right side of my chin. I figured that would happen. I have talked to two people about 6 months ahead of me and the feeling returned in both cases. It's up to you man. You have to decide if it's worth it not. Good luck, Calvin --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has > recommended > > surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is > > open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be > > moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than > average > > but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a > > highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't > going > > to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. > It's > > a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months > > more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces > for > > another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of > > the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the > > risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Thanks for being straight Calvin and for the encouragement. I realize I'm the only one who can make the decision. When it's all said and done, I would love to have a bite that closes for functional and cosmetic reasons. What were the specifics of your case? Have any pics? Thanks, _____ From: trojanhorse75 Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 11:28 PM To: orthognathicsurgerysupport Subject: Re: Open Bite Hello, I just had the surgery less than a week ago and I am recovering very well. It is good that you wore the braces first so Ortho could get them in the best position before the sugery. The surgery can't take place until the repositioning is complete. Once the surgury is done it is just a matter of fine tuning your bite with the braces. I am 29 as well and went back and forth several times about getting it done. My friends think I am crazy for doing it. I found you must decide if you can live with or without it and you must make the decision alone. To me, I have worn braces for 18 months and I want to be able to smile with strait teeth when it's all said and done so, i'm going all the way. I will tell you it's not as bad as you think. Pain was not really a factor. The worst part is swallowing on the first day. After that it's a piece of cake. You learn to get real creative with a blender/food processor. The most important thing is taking it easy for awhile to let your body heal. I have some numbness and tingleing on the right side of my chin. I figured that would happen. I have talked to two people about 6 months ahead of me and the feeling returned in both cases. It's up to you man. You have to decide if it's worth it not. Good luck, Calvin --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > I have had braces for 18 months now. My orthodontist has > recommended > > surgery due to an " open bite " . The bite is aligned however it is > > open still about 4-5 mm. I have a strong chin so they would be > > moving it slightly backward and up. My looks are better than > average > > but they say the surgery would only be an improvement. He is a > > highly regarded ortho in ny. If I had known the braces weren't > going > > to fix the bite completely I may have had the surgery to start. > It's > > a little frustrating to hear that I may need them on 6-9 months > > more, get my wisdom teeth removed, have surgery, and then braces > for > > another few months. (And I know it pales in comparison to some of > > the other cases, however) I'm having a difficult time with the > > risk/reward scenario. Any suggestions? I'm 29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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