Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I just made another pic to show the difference in my jaw length which is a pretty big difference to me. I took two pics from the same angle then mirrored one. I made them black and white so any coloration asymmetry is neglected. My left jaw is much shorter and narrower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I just made another pic to show the difference in my jaw length which is a pretty big difference to me. I took two pics from the same angle then mirrored one. I made them black and white so any coloration asymmetry is neglected. My left jaw is much shorter and narrower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Sorry... I don't see the difference either. Before surgery, my left lower jaw was longer than the right, causing my bottom teeth to shift to the right in a crossbite ( http://www.jasonko.com/displayPicture.php? catID=14 & filename=IMG_1387.jpg ). Do you have any kind of bite problems like this? I don't see how one side of the jaw can be longer than the other without having a significant impact on one's bite. > > I just made another pic to show the difference in my jaw length > which is a pretty big difference to me. I took two pics from the > same angle then mirrored one. I made them black and white so any > coloration asymmetry is neglected. My left jaw is much shorter and > narrower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Sorry... I don't see the difference either. Before surgery, my left lower jaw was longer than the right, causing my bottom teeth to shift to the right in a crossbite ( http://www.jasonko.com/displayPicture.php? catID=14 & filename=IMG_1387.jpg ). Do you have any kind of bite problems like this? I don't see how one side of the jaw can be longer than the other without having a significant impact on one's bite. > > I just made another pic to show the difference in my jaw length > which is a pretty big difference to me. I took two pics from the > same angle then mirrored one. I made them black and white so any > coloration asymmetry is neglected. My left jaw is much shorter and > narrower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 You are not the first, and you are not " stuck. " Check this site, and see if you find anything familiar-looking: http://www.facialfacts.com/faces_unilateral.html I'm not endorsing these docs -- don't know these docs. But they have a site that shows some of the problems that can be fixed. You say: I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. It usually does take years. If you don't have insurance coverage, it can be very expensive. And any major surgery has risks. But you can manage all of that, with some determination and courage -- even the money part, probably. IF you feel that the benefits outweigh the possible risks FOR YOU. Yes, if you have screws and plates (i haven't heard of anybody having " bolts " yet) they generally stay there forever, unless they cause some trouble, in which case they can be removed. Some people have resorbable polymer plates and screws, which dissolve into the bone. Some docs prefer to do internal wiring, for which you may not need pins and plates -- but that generally means being wired shut for a considerable time post-op. And some docs use both. If and when you see a surgeon, ask him or her what method he usually chooses, and how it is likely to work for you. And don't be speedy about deciding that this is purely cosmetic. You may consider it as such, and there's nothing wrong with that. But a good orthodontist or oral surgeon may be able to explain to you some risks of having a deformed jaw (which is what we all have). And what could happen in the long term with pain and arthritis. Cammie > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 You are not the first, and you are not " stuck. " Check this site, and see if you find anything familiar-looking: http://www.facialfacts.com/faces_unilateral.html I'm not endorsing these docs -- don't know these docs. But they have a site that shows some of the problems that can be fixed. You say: I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. It usually does take years. If you don't have insurance coverage, it can be very expensive. And any major surgery has risks. But you can manage all of that, with some determination and courage -- even the money part, probably. IF you feel that the benefits outweigh the possible risks FOR YOU. Yes, if you have screws and plates (i haven't heard of anybody having " bolts " yet) they generally stay there forever, unless they cause some trouble, in which case they can be removed. Some people have resorbable polymer plates and screws, which dissolve into the bone. Some docs prefer to do internal wiring, for which you may not need pins and plates -- but that generally means being wired shut for a considerable time post-op. And some docs use both. If and when you see a surgeon, ask him or her what method he usually chooses, and how it is likely to work for you. And don't be speedy about deciding that this is purely cosmetic. You may consider it as such, and there's nothing wrong with that. But a good orthodontist or oral surgeon may be able to explain to you some risks of having a deformed jaw (which is what we all have). And what could happen in the long term with pain and arthritis. Cammie > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Well, it's not that one side protrudes out further than the other, it's that one side protrudes (wider/broader) to the side significantly more, which is why it measured almost an inch longer. As for a bite problem, I have a slight overbite and it is slightly off center, something that didn't really bother me. Then again I have significant spacing between my teeth. Sometimes my jaw will click and crack (without pain) when yawning, and sometimes one side (the left I think it is) will make a lot of noise while chewing, this isn't often so I don't know what's up with that. At 19 I wonder if my jaw is going to give me problems down the road. > > > > I just made another pic to show the difference in my jaw length > > which is a pretty big difference to me. I took two pics from the > > same angle then mirrored one. I made them black and white so any > > coloration asymmetry is neglected. My left jaw is much shorter > and > > narrower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Well, it's not that one side protrudes out further than the other, it's that one side protrudes (wider/broader) to the side significantly more, which is why it measured almost an inch longer. As for a bite problem, I have a slight overbite and it is slightly off center, something that didn't really bother me. Then again I have significant spacing between my teeth. Sometimes my jaw will click and crack (without pain) when yawning, and sometimes one side (the left I think it is) will make a lot of noise while chewing, this isn't often so I don't know what's up with that. At 19 I wonder if my jaw is going to give me problems down the road. > > > > I just made another pic to show the difference in my jaw length > > which is a pretty big difference to me. I took two pics from the > > same angle then mirrored one. I made them black and white so any > > coloration asymmetry is neglected. My left jaw is much shorter > and > > narrower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Hello ~ I also have this same problem, one side of my face looks " morphed " b/c my jaw on the right hand side is significantly longer than my left. It shows up in pictures quite dramatically. I took a look at the pics you posted and I must say that I can't notice much of a difference, but they're small and dark ~ and if it's something YOU notice then I will believe it b/c I have had ppl tell me they never noticed I had an underbite (and there is NO way you could miss it!) Your first step is to see a good orthodontist ~ don't feel despair over the length of time it takes, it really does go by fast and you're only 19! I just turned 27 and I am just now getting this taken care of after years of suffering=P I think most ppl wear braces for 20-24 months depending on how crooked your teeth are. Somewhere in this time period you have your surgery. So, everything over and done with after 2 yrs or less. Just b/c you don't have pain or can chew normally doesn't mean that surgery isn't an option ~ I have read accounts on this site of ppl having surgery over less than what you described! May I ask where you live? In Canada, healthcare pays for the surgery (lucky me!) but I know in the states there are several insurance companies that will cover it or at least a good portion of it. You can ask around on this site for good leads, and your ortho may be able to give you some input. I had a consultation with my surgeon back in March and I wasn't expecting this, but he noticed the asymmetry in my jaw and said " we can do something about that " ~ sorry, what exactly that " something " is I have no idea?! I assumed part of that protruding side will be removed. Hopefully your ortho can tell you all this info ~ if not, he may refer you to someone. Good luck!! You have overcome many obstacles in your life which you should be proud of=) Take it from me, if you are seriously unhappy with your jaw then now is the time to take care of it or at least look into it. I wish I would've been able to get this done years ago! > > Thanks for the input about surgery. I guess I just have to hope > procedures someday are more reasonable. I read about something like > bone distraction, but I take it that's for adolescents or larger > limbs, and is a longer process in general? I had hoped that there > would be some non-surgical way to fix it but I guess there isn't. > The thought of foreign objects in my jaw is something I don't like, > which is why I had hoped there could be some type of surgery where > that's avoided. > > Don't worry, " obsession " wasn't really what I meant, more along the > lines of urgency to make a decision. I'm well able to life with > defects, I've lived with worse acne than I have now, I've lived with > obesity, Gynecomastia (caused by obesity), gaping stretch marks, > spacing between my teeth, etc etc and I don't obsess about those. > The jaw thing is a special case, however. I have spacing between my > teeth that bothers me, so I plan to get braces to correct this, as > soon as I can, and I had just started thinking about getting braces > about two weeks ago. It was then that I was looking on the internet > at sites, and read about the jaw and what it can do if it isn't > correctly aligned. I know for sure my right jaw is significantly > more prominent than my left, from measurements, pictures, and just > feeling both sides with my hands at the same time. The reason I > became so fixated on this is because I plan to get braces no matter > what, to fix the spacing between my teeth. I thought later in life > if I needed to or had the money to I could get some type of jaw > surgery so of course the decision wasn't urgent at that moment. > Then I read you have to have your teeth re-aligned again by wearing > braces. I can't imagine wearing braces for probably over 3 years of > my life, so I guess I'm just thinking that if I get these braces to > fix the spacing in my teeth, then I'm not going to want to do it > again. So to me it seems like a " now or never " decision that > occupies my mind. > > Is an orthodontist the right one to talk to about jaw asymmetry? > I'm going to schedule an appointment with one for the braces for the > spacing. I guess a good question to ask will be whether or not my > jaw will have problems later in life? The fact one side > occassionally clicks and is shorter disturbs me sometimes. When I > look at pictures of myself from 4 years ago at 15 and 16, I don't > see this symmetry, now I do. I can put them side by side and see > the differences. For all I know this could effect me later in life, > which I don't want, or could become more prominent since it has over > the years. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Hello ~ I also have this same problem, one side of my face looks " morphed " b/c my jaw on the right hand side is significantly longer than my left. It shows up in pictures quite dramatically. I took a look at the pics you posted and I must say that I can't notice much of a difference, but they're small and dark ~ and if it's something YOU notice then I will believe it b/c I have had ppl tell me they never noticed I had an underbite (and there is NO way you could miss it!) Your first step is to see a good orthodontist ~ don't feel despair over the length of time it takes, it really does go by fast and you're only 19! I just turned 27 and I am just now getting this taken care of after years of suffering=P I think most ppl wear braces for 20-24 months depending on how crooked your teeth are. Somewhere in this time period you have your surgery. So, everything over and done with after 2 yrs or less. Just b/c you don't have pain or can chew normally doesn't mean that surgery isn't an option ~ I have read accounts on this site of ppl having surgery over less than what you described! May I ask where you live? In Canada, healthcare pays for the surgery (lucky me!) but I know in the states there are several insurance companies that will cover it or at least a good portion of it. You can ask around on this site for good leads, and your ortho may be able to give you some input. I had a consultation with my surgeon back in March and I wasn't expecting this, but he noticed the asymmetry in my jaw and said " we can do something about that " ~ sorry, what exactly that " something " is I have no idea?! I assumed part of that protruding side will be removed. Hopefully your ortho can tell you all this info ~ if not, he may refer you to someone. Good luck!! You have overcome many obstacles in your life which you should be proud of=) Take it from me, if you are seriously unhappy with your jaw then now is the time to take care of it or at least look into it. I wish I would've been able to get this done years ago! > > Thanks for the input about surgery. I guess I just have to hope > procedures someday are more reasonable. I read about something like > bone distraction, but I take it that's for adolescents or larger > limbs, and is a longer process in general? I had hoped that there > would be some non-surgical way to fix it but I guess there isn't. > The thought of foreign objects in my jaw is something I don't like, > which is why I had hoped there could be some type of surgery where > that's avoided. > > Don't worry, " obsession " wasn't really what I meant, more along the > lines of urgency to make a decision. I'm well able to life with > defects, I've lived with worse acne than I have now, I've lived with > obesity, Gynecomastia (caused by obesity), gaping stretch marks, > spacing between my teeth, etc etc and I don't obsess about those. > The jaw thing is a special case, however. I have spacing between my > teeth that bothers me, so I plan to get braces to correct this, as > soon as I can, and I had just started thinking about getting braces > about two weeks ago. It was then that I was looking on the internet > at sites, and read about the jaw and what it can do if it isn't > correctly aligned. I know for sure my right jaw is significantly > more prominent than my left, from measurements, pictures, and just > feeling both sides with my hands at the same time. The reason I > became so fixated on this is because I plan to get braces no matter > what, to fix the spacing between my teeth. I thought later in life > if I needed to or had the money to I could get some type of jaw > surgery so of course the decision wasn't urgent at that moment. > Then I read you have to have your teeth re-aligned again by wearing > braces. I can't imagine wearing braces for probably over 3 years of > my life, so I guess I'm just thinking that if I get these braces to > fix the spacing in my teeth, then I'm not going to want to do it > again. So to me it seems like a " now or never " decision that > occupies my mind. > > Is an orthodontist the right one to talk to about jaw asymmetry? > I'm going to schedule an appointment with one for the braces for the > spacing. I guess a good question to ask will be whether or not my > jaw will have problems later in life? The fact one side > occassionally clicks and is shorter disturbs me sometimes. When I > look at pictures of myself from 4 years ago at 15 and 16, I don't > see this symmetry, now I do. I can put them side by side and see > the differences. For all I know this could effect me later in life, > which I don't want, or could become more prominent since it has over > the years. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 From what I have heard, bone distraction ( " distraction osteogenesis " ) is much more invasive, much more difficult and much more painful than traditional jaw surgery and braces. It can indeed be used on adults, and on children, but if you don't have to go there, I'd suggest avoiding it. If you do need to go there, then ask for explanations that will give you more information than you have currently, apparently. And yes. You need to talk with one or more orthodontists, and one or more oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and hear what they tell you about your current problems, and possible projections. I do not believe that anyone can predict accurately whether you will have TMJ pain in the future, but you need advice about what your troubles are and might be. Bear in mind that there are no guarantees in any of this. You go for it or you don't. Do ask about long-term retention, and whether the surgery might be helpful there. Good wishes to you. You need advice from those who are more expert than am I. C. > > Thanks for the input about surgery. I guess I just have to hope > procedures someday are more reasonable. I read about something like > bone distraction, but I take it that's for adolescents or larger > limbs, and is a longer process in general? I had hoped that there > would be some non-surgical way to fix it but I guess there isn't. > The thought of foreign objects in my jaw is something I don't like, > which is why I had hoped there could be some type of surgery where > that's avoided. > > Don't worry, " obsession " wasn't really what I meant, more along the > lines of urgency to make a decision. I'm well able to life with > defects, I've lived with worse acne than I have now, I've lived with > obesity, Gynecomastia (caused by obesity), gaping stretch marks, > spacing between my teeth, etc etc and I don't obsess about those. > The jaw thing is a special case, however. I have spacing between my > teeth that bothers me, so I plan to get braces to correct this, as > soon as I can, and I had just started thinking about getting braces > about two weeks ago. It was then that I was looking on the internet > at sites, and read about the jaw and what it can do if it isn't > correctly aligned. I know for sure my right jaw is significantly > more prominent than my left, from measurements, pictures, and just > feeling both sides with my hands at the same time. The reason I > became so fixated on this is because I plan to get braces no matter > what, to fix the spacing between my teeth. I thought later in life > if I needed to or had the money to I could get some type of jaw > surgery so of course the decision wasn't urgent at that moment. > Then I read you have to have your teeth re-aligned again by wearing > braces. I can't imagine wearing braces for probably over 3 years of > my life, so I guess I'm just thinking that if I get these braces to > fix the spacing in my teeth, then I'm not going to want to do it > again. So to me it seems like a " now or never " decision that > occupies my mind. > > Is an orthodontist the right one to talk to about jaw asymmetry? > I'm going to schedule an appointment with one for the braces for the > spacing. I guess a good question to ask will be whether or not my > jaw will have problems later in life? The fact one side > occassionally clicks and is shorter disturbs me sometimes. When I > look at pictures of myself from 4 years ago at 15 and 16, I don't > see this symmetry, now I do. I can put them side by side and see > the differences. For all I know this could effect me later in life, > which I don't want, or could become more prominent since it has over > the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 From what I have heard, bone distraction ( " distraction osteogenesis " ) is much more invasive, much more difficult and much more painful than traditional jaw surgery and braces. It can indeed be used on adults, and on children, but if you don't have to go there, I'd suggest avoiding it. If you do need to go there, then ask for explanations that will give you more information than you have currently, apparently. And yes. You need to talk with one or more orthodontists, and one or more oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and hear what they tell you about your current problems, and possible projections. I do not believe that anyone can predict accurately whether you will have TMJ pain in the future, but you need advice about what your troubles are and might be. Bear in mind that there are no guarantees in any of this. You go for it or you don't. Do ask about long-term retention, and whether the surgery might be helpful there. Good wishes to you. You need advice from those who are more expert than am I. C. > > Thanks for the input about surgery. I guess I just have to hope > procedures someday are more reasonable. I read about something like > bone distraction, but I take it that's for adolescents or larger > limbs, and is a longer process in general? I had hoped that there > would be some non-surgical way to fix it but I guess there isn't. > The thought of foreign objects in my jaw is something I don't like, > which is why I had hoped there could be some type of surgery where > that's avoided. > > Don't worry, " obsession " wasn't really what I meant, more along the > lines of urgency to make a decision. I'm well able to life with > defects, I've lived with worse acne than I have now, I've lived with > obesity, Gynecomastia (caused by obesity), gaping stretch marks, > spacing between my teeth, etc etc and I don't obsess about those. > The jaw thing is a special case, however. I have spacing between my > teeth that bothers me, so I plan to get braces to correct this, as > soon as I can, and I had just started thinking about getting braces > about two weeks ago. It was then that I was looking on the internet > at sites, and read about the jaw and what it can do if it isn't > correctly aligned. I know for sure my right jaw is significantly > more prominent than my left, from measurements, pictures, and just > feeling both sides with my hands at the same time. The reason I > became so fixated on this is because I plan to get braces no matter > what, to fix the spacing between my teeth. I thought later in life > if I needed to or had the money to I could get some type of jaw > surgery so of course the decision wasn't urgent at that moment. > Then I read you have to have your teeth re-aligned again by wearing > braces. I can't imagine wearing braces for probably over 3 years of > my life, so I guess I'm just thinking that if I get these braces to > fix the spacing in my teeth, then I'm not going to want to do it > again. So to me it seems like a " now or never " decision that > occupies my mind. > > Is an orthodontist the right one to talk to about jaw asymmetry? > I'm going to schedule an appointment with one for the braces for the > spacing. I guess a good question to ask will be whether or not my > jaw will have problems later in life? The fact one side > occassionally clicks and is shorter disturbs me sometimes. When I > look at pictures of myself from 4 years ago at 15 and 16, I don't > see this symmetry, now I do. I can put them side by side and see > the differences. For all I know this could effect me later in life, > which I don't want, or could become more prominent since it has over > the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 My jaw was also very asymmetrical before I had my surgery on Oct 22nd. It was something that bothered me a great deal as well, and it was continuing to shift over as my jaw joint wore down more and more because of my crooked bite. I had lower jaw & genioplasty done to fix my bite, and it seems to have straightened out my jaw quite a bit. I posted some pictures in the " Lea " photo album, called Asymmetry Before and Asymmetry Fixed. However, if you check out the comparison photos, you can see that it's not perfectly straight, but definitely better than it was! There is still quite a bit of swelling, so I can't tell what I'll look like when I'm all done, but I'm already a lot happier with the shape of my face than I was before. And my teeth even touch when I bite.. how wonderfully exciting is that! =) Lea > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 My jaw was also very asymmetrical before I had my surgery on Oct 22nd. It was something that bothered me a great deal as well, and it was continuing to shift over as my jaw joint wore down more and more because of my crooked bite. I had lower jaw & genioplasty done to fix my bite, and it seems to have straightened out my jaw quite a bit. I posted some pictures in the " Lea " photo album, called Asymmetry Before and Asymmetry Fixed. However, if you check out the comparison photos, you can see that it's not perfectly straight, but definitely better than it was! There is still quite a bit of swelling, so I can't tell what I'll look like when I'm all done, but I'm already a lot happier with the shape of my face than I was before. And my teeth even touch when I bite.. how wonderfully exciting is that! =) Lea > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Hi, I also have been dealing with jaw and facial asymmetry. I am currently two weeks post-op. It took me a very long time to make the decision to have surgery. The primary reason I had surgery was to correct my cross-bite, but of course it also improved the asymmetry. Before surgery, by upper jaw was not level, and was lower on my right side. My lower jaw is larger on my left side, and my chin was off-center to the left. I had upper and lower surgery. I was and still am quite nervous about my jaw joints. While I did not have any pain in them before surgery (and still don't post-op), I knew that they were " dysfunctional " - I had a MRI and exam which showed that the discs in the joints were not working properly. I felt lucky I did not have pain, and felt that surgery might create problems that did not already exist. So far, I am doing well, but I am only two weeks into my recovery. While my asymmetry was really obvious to me (and I think obvious in photographs), I really think most people didn't notice, and those that did, didn't care. However, I do like having a slightly more symetrical face. But it is mostly me that notices the changes. Very few people can tell the difference since the surgery, even after I tell them what was done. As far as the cost, it was one of the many reasons I have waited. I waited to get orthodontics until my teeth were actually hurting. I knew (from previous conversations) that any orthodontist I went to would want me to have surgery, because half on my teeth did not meet. I ended up getting treated at the University of WA student orthodonic clinic. The students do the work, but very closely with professors that really know what they are doing. They have thier own oral surgeon that does the surgeries for thier patients, and my surgery cost around $7,500 (insurance did not cover anything, I will be paying for this for a while). My surgeon was great- actually travels the world teaching how to do this surgery. However, since the ortho clinic only works with this surgeon, I didn't have any other (recent) second opinions. So there were benifits and pitfall for going this route. This is a big decision, I would recommend thinking about it for a while, and talking to a lot of people. I understand how you are feeling about being self-consious, but I also know that we are the ones who primarily notice our differences. Good luck to you. My photographs are under " " . While I don't have a real good post-op photo up, you can see some of the changes in the last photograph. > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Hi, I also have been dealing with jaw and facial asymmetry. I am currently two weeks post-op. It took me a very long time to make the decision to have surgery. The primary reason I had surgery was to correct my cross-bite, but of course it also improved the asymmetry. Before surgery, by upper jaw was not level, and was lower on my right side. My lower jaw is larger on my left side, and my chin was off-center to the left. I had upper and lower surgery. I was and still am quite nervous about my jaw joints. While I did not have any pain in them before surgery (and still don't post-op), I knew that they were " dysfunctional " - I had a MRI and exam which showed that the discs in the joints were not working properly. I felt lucky I did not have pain, and felt that surgery might create problems that did not already exist. So far, I am doing well, but I am only two weeks into my recovery. While my asymmetry was really obvious to me (and I think obvious in photographs), I really think most people didn't notice, and those that did, didn't care. However, I do like having a slightly more symetrical face. But it is mostly me that notices the changes. Very few people can tell the difference since the surgery, even after I tell them what was done. As far as the cost, it was one of the many reasons I have waited. I waited to get orthodontics until my teeth were actually hurting. I knew (from previous conversations) that any orthodontist I went to would want me to have surgery, because half on my teeth did not meet. I ended up getting treated at the University of WA student orthodonic clinic. The students do the work, but very closely with professors that really know what they are doing. They have thier own oral surgeon that does the surgeries for thier patients, and my surgery cost around $7,500 (insurance did not cover anything, I will be paying for this for a while). My surgeon was great- actually travels the world teaching how to do this surgery. However, since the ortho clinic only works with this surgeon, I didn't have any other (recent) second opinions. So there were benifits and pitfall for going this route. This is a big decision, I would recommend thinking about it for a while, and talking to a lot of people. I understand how you are feeling about being self-consious, but I also know that we are the ones who primarily notice our differences. Good luck to you. My photographs are under " " . While I don't have a real good post-op photo up, you can see some of the changes in the last photograph. > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Hey , thanks for your story...I checked out your pics and I definitely see a difference, I see asymmetry before and none is noticeable to me now. I guess some people just don't notice it and some of us do. It might have to do with what people notice first or fixate their gaze on in a face, I notice people's eyes then jaw before anything else about their facial features, and asymmetry between either of these is very noticeable to me, whether it's me or someone else. Whether people notice it in me or not isn't what I'm concerned about, I'm not a vain person. But if it did continue to become more and more noticeable and then cause me problems later in life, then that's something I would want to avoid. I guess I'll have an orthodontist examine it and tell me what it could do down the road. If the surgery was going to be purely cosmetic then I wouldn't get it, simply because of the cost and all the other things associated with it. I was talking with my mother today about braces to get rid of the spaces between my teeth, and she told me about my sister back in high school, who also apparently wanted braces. Well when she went she found out that she had TMJD (I think that's what it's called) and had some type of jaw problem and they recommended surgery which she did not want to (especially since she was in HS), maybe someday she'll need it. That makes me wonder about me and if this is something that unfortunately runs in the family. > > > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the > front > > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and > it > > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, > I > > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then > looking > > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change > my > > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of > this > > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Hey , thanks for your story...I checked out your pics and I definitely see a difference, I see asymmetry before and none is noticeable to me now. I guess some people just don't notice it and some of us do. It might have to do with what people notice first or fixate their gaze on in a face, I notice people's eyes then jaw before anything else about their facial features, and asymmetry between either of these is very noticeable to me, whether it's me or someone else. Whether people notice it in me or not isn't what I'm concerned about, I'm not a vain person. But if it did continue to become more and more noticeable and then cause me problems later in life, then that's something I would want to avoid. I guess I'll have an orthodontist examine it and tell me what it could do down the road. If the surgery was going to be purely cosmetic then I wouldn't get it, simply because of the cost and all the other things associated with it. I was talking with my mother today about braces to get rid of the spaces between my teeth, and she told me about my sister back in high school, who also apparently wanted braces. Well when she went she found out that she had TMJD (I think that's what it's called) and had some type of jaw problem and they recommended surgery which she did not want to (especially since she was in HS), maybe someday she'll need it. That makes me wonder about me and if this is something that unfortunately runs in the family. > > > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the > front > > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and > it > > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, > I > > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then > looking > > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change > my > > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of > this > > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 First you need to see an orthodontist and then an oral surgeon, have you consulted with your general dentist? He/she should have at least a general knowledge of what options are available. Many people have had this covered by Medical insurance. This is NOT cosmetic surgery it is functional and improves many people lives and health. I for one paid very little, my full cost was about $4,000 spread out over a two year period, that comes out to less than $170 a month. Not much if you break it down that way. if you do not have medical insurance at the moment try to get coverage. make sure this type of surgery is covered and then wait a year (most insurance companies make you wait to cover pre-existing conditions) and then have the surgery done. There are many alternative available to you if you want to fix your jaw problem. Look back to some of the older posts on the site and you will find people with just as many or more problems as you. All it takes is a little resolve and patience fix it. If it bother you that much you will find a way. you are welocme to come here and research and ask as many questions as you want, we are all here to help each other through this journey. but the only one who can do something about it is you. I hope this info helps. Marsha > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 First you need to see an orthodontist and then an oral surgeon, have you consulted with your general dentist? He/she should have at least a general knowledge of what options are available. Many people have had this covered by Medical insurance. This is NOT cosmetic surgery it is functional and improves many people lives and health. I for one paid very little, my full cost was about $4,000 spread out over a two year period, that comes out to less than $170 a month. Not much if you break it down that way. if you do not have medical insurance at the moment try to get coverage. make sure this type of surgery is covered and then wait a year (most insurance companies make you wait to cover pre-existing conditions) and then have the surgery done. There are many alternative available to you if you want to fix your jaw problem. Look back to some of the older posts on the site and you will find people with just as many or more problems as you. All it takes is a little resolve and patience fix it. If it bother you that much you will find a way. you are welocme to come here and research and ask as many questions as you want, we are all here to help each other through this journey. but the only one who can do something about it is you. I hope this info helps. Marsha > > Sigh...I don't really know why I'm posting this. Guess I'm just > checking to see if there's any here like me. I have jaw asymmetry. > One side is broad, the other narrow. In fact, I look completely > different from both sides, and I hate the way I look from the front > and the left side. Sometimes I look like some sort of alien, > depending on the lighting. I read up on Orthognathic surgery and it > seems like something that takes years of work, huge sums of money, > and has many risks. I don't have any pain, problems chewing, etc, I > just completely hate the way I look. I'm thinking about it > throughout the entire day and it drives me crazy. I read about all > these bolts and screws and jaws being cut apart and it sounded > pretty scary. Are bolts or plates in your jaw forever? Then looking > at the cost of surgery, crazy, I can't afford that, and I don't > think any insurance company would want to cover something cosmetic > like this. I suppose I'm forever stuck with this jaw asymmetry. It > sucks really, but I don't see any good or realistic solutions. > Anyone here with the same problem? Anyone here had Orthognathic > surgery because of one side of your jaw being too wide compared to > the other, or know of any examples with before/after pics? Thanks > for any info and for reading this. I don't think I'll ever change my > situation so I guess I was looking for some place to vent. > > I put my pics up just so you can see what I'm talking about. The > pic is called asymmetry and isn't in a folder, just at the end of > the photo section. I thought having this acne was bad enough, but > with an asymmetric jaw, it sucks even more. I never noticed it > before because I used to be very obese just at the beginning of this > year, after losing 75 lbs I could actually see my jaw line and > noticed the asymmetry more easily. This is making me pretty > depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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