Re: Is it really worth taking the risk???

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I had an overbite/overjet. I chickened out of braces in my early

20s, nobody said anything about orthognathic surgery to me then,

just take 4 teeth out and move things around.

By the time I hit my late 40s, my general dentist was checking me

regularly for those lovely clicking & popping noises and asking if I

was experiencing any pain. " No. " One day I said yes, though. I had

been having pain on opening to eat.

Nobody ever explained what was happening behind the scenes while my

jaw was popping, clicking, grinding and occasionally locking. When

my oral surgeon showed me pre-op xrays, he said that one condyle was

worn, not severely, but worn (that's the bony part of the lower jaw

that fits into the upper, but with a moving cartilege to cushion in

between).

At that point, I decided to go ahead (I'd consulted with a tmj

specialist, to whom I was referred by my dentist, and who said I

probably needed surgery, he'd try to work around it if he could, but

he needed to leave it open as an option).

Could I have lived with my old looks and the problems I was having?

Yes. Not life-threatening. My main reason for going ahead was to

prevent future damage to my joints, and because I was still

relatively young and healthy. I didn't want to have to do a major

surgery in my 60s, for example (although there are people who have

had it in their late 50s and early 60s).

I personally would never do this for cosmetic reasons. I'm sure

there must be functional reasons that are important in your case.

I would recommend a consultation with an oral surgeon, and putting

together a good list of questions to ask him or her, particularly

about the risks, and what experiences his/her patients have had post-

op. His or her track record is what's going to count for you.

You can find a good list of questions on the geocities site at

http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/

I hope that helps,

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will

definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I had an overbite/overjet. I chickened out of braces in my early

20s, nobody said anything about orthognathic surgery to me then,

just take 4 teeth out and move things around.

By the time I hit my late 40s, my general dentist was checking me

regularly for those lovely clicking & popping noises and asking if I

was experiencing any pain. " No. " One day I said yes, though. I had

been having pain on opening to eat.

Nobody ever explained what was happening behind the scenes while my

jaw was popping, clicking, grinding and occasionally locking. When

my oral surgeon showed me pre-op xrays, he said that one condyle was

worn, not severely, but worn (that's the bony part of the lower jaw

that fits into the upper, but with a moving cartilege to cushion in

between).

At that point, I decided to go ahead (I'd consulted with a tmj

specialist, to whom I was referred by my dentist, and who said I

probably needed surgery, he'd try to work around it if he could, but

he needed to leave it open as an option).

Could I have lived with my old looks and the problems I was having?

Yes. Not life-threatening. My main reason for going ahead was to

prevent future damage to my joints, and because I was still

relatively young and healthy. I didn't want to have to do a major

surgery in my 60s, for example (although there are people who have

had it in their late 50s and early 60s).

I personally would never do this for cosmetic reasons. I'm sure

there must be functional reasons that are important in your case.

I would recommend a consultation with an oral surgeon, and putting

together a good list of questions to ask him or her, particularly

about the risks, and what experiences his/her patients have had post-

op. His or her track record is what's going to count for you.

You can find a good list of questions on the geocities site at

http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/

I hope that helps,

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will

definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

The decision is completely personal but I can tell you after having the

surgery.....it will be 1 month tomorrow......I am completely happy with it. Here

is what I have been through.....which sounds kinda similar to your situation.

About 2 years ago I went to my regular dentist for a check up. As he was looking

at my mouth he asked if I had ever considered braces. I had thought about braces

but didn't have the money to get them in the past........I too did not have any

pain with my bite but I was VERY conscious of my mouth and what it looked like

to others. My dentist told me that even though he wasn't an Orthodontist he

thought I might need surgery because my lower jaw was the problem and not my

upper. He also said that because of the strain while eating I have the potential

of getting TMJ down the road. Anyway, he told me he was referring me and that

he wasn't going to take no for an answer. I was financially stable at the time

so I thought I would give it a shot. Sure

enough after seeing the ortho (Dr Payne....kinda fitting), he told me I would

need what is refereed to as Bilateral Mandibular Sagital Split/Advancement. This

is a serious operation but not as complicated as some of the other surgeries the

other members have had. They cut your lower jaw and move it forward and secure

it with titanium plating. After a year in braces I was ready for surgery. I was

very fortunate because my insurance approved the procedure and I will ultimately

only have to pay for co-pays and the deductible. The oral surgeon I chose was

great he wanted me to know the risks every time I saw him he reiterated the

risks so if I wanted to back out I could. Risks vary somewhat with the different

types of surgery. My main risk was the potential of losing feeling in the lower

jaw and lip/chin area. There is a nerve that runs through the jaw that carries

sensation to those areas if it is damaged beyond repair you will lose the

sensation and it will feel like when the dentist

numbs your mouth for dental work. The percentage of complete and permanent

numbness is what I consider low but that is something you have to decide

on......Your OS will go over it with you. Also, it depends on you as a patient

and healing and the ability of the surgeon. I suggest you research your options

very carefully. Of course, there are the regular risks that go with having a

surgery. My surgery went very well and I healed rather fast (both my OS and OD

were surprised) My main advice to you is to check it out and find out what you

need done.......make sure you ask plenty of questions and be sure you are

comfortable with what is being told to you and with the surgeon you choose.

Refer back to this group so you are as educated as possible.....that is what

helped me. Ultimately if you want it done then do it. I think I would have

regretted it if I had not gotten the surgery. I am numb in my lip/chin area but

that is considered normal due to the stretching of the IAN nerve and it

will take time to heal. It won't be known if the numbness is permanent until I

have completely healed but my OS is very optimistic and thinks I should get

felling back. Sorry this is sooooo lengthy but I wanted you to know what I went

through to help with your decision. Hope this helps........Let me know what

surgery you may need and if you decide to have the procedure..........It is a

major decision but it was completely worth it to me and I am very happy with it.

jbradley314 wrote:

Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying to

make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of the

process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really have

any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I am

so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down the

road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to even

bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the specific

risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity you

might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

something like this when you don't know for sure it will definetely

be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of questions

about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change my

appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

The decision is completely personal but I can tell you after having the

surgery.....it will be 1 month tomorrow......I am completely happy with it. Here

is what I have been through.....which sounds kinda similar to your situation.

About 2 years ago I went to my regular dentist for a check up. As he was looking

at my mouth he asked if I had ever considered braces. I had thought about braces

but didn't have the money to get them in the past........I too did not have any

pain with my bite but I was VERY conscious of my mouth and what it looked like

to others. My dentist told me that even though he wasn't an Orthodontist he

thought I might need surgery because my lower jaw was the problem and not my

upper. He also said that because of the strain while eating I have the potential

of getting TMJ down the road. Anyway, he told me he was referring me and that

he wasn't going to take no for an answer. I was financially stable at the time

so I thought I would give it a shot. Sure

enough after seeing the ortho (Dr Payne....kinda fitting), he told me I would

need what is refereed to as Bilateral Mandibular Sagital Split/Advancement. This

is a serious operation but not as complicated as some of the other surgeries the

other members have had. They cut your lower jaw and move it forward and secure

it with titanium plating. After a year in braces I was ready for surgery. I was

very fortunate because my insurance approved the procedure and I will ultimately

only have to pay for co-pays and the deductible. The oral surgeon I chose was

great he wanted me to know the risks every time I saw him he reiterated the

risks so if I wanted to back out I could. Risks vary somewhat with the different

types of surgery. My main risk was the potential of losing feeling in the lower

jaw and lip/chin area. There is a nerve that runs through the jaw that carries

sensation to those areas if it is damaged beyond repair you will lose the

sensation and it will feel like when the dentist

numbs your mouth for dental work. The percentage of complete and permanent

numbness is what I consider low but that is something you have to decide

on......Your OS will go over it with you. Also, it depends on you as a patient

and healing and the ability of the surgeon. I suggest you research your options

very carefully. Of course, there are the regular risks that go with having a

surgery. My surgery went very well and I healed rather fast (both my OS and OD

were surprised) My main advice to you is to check it out and find out what you

need done.......make sure you ask plenty of questions and be sure you are

comfortable with what is being told to you and with the surgeon you choose.

Refer back to this group so you are as educated as possible.....that is what

helped me. Ultimately if you want it done then do it. I think I would have

regretted it if I had not gotten the surgery. I am numb in my lip/chin area but

that is considered normal due to the stretching of the IAN nerve and it

will take time to heal. It won't be known if the numbness is permanent until I

have completely healed but my OS is very optimistic and thinks I should get

felling back. Sorry this is sooooo lengthy but I wanted you to know what I went

through to help with your decision. Hope this helps........Let me know what

surgery you may need and if you decide to have the procedure..........It is a

major decision but it was completely worth it to me and I am very happy with it.

jbradley314 wrote:

Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying to

make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of the

process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really have

any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I am

so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down the

road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to even

bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the specific

risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity you

might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

something like this when you don't know for sure it will definetely

be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of questions

about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change my

appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

Well for me there was no choice, it was either have the surgery or

loose my teeth. And Dentures were not an option at the age of 21,

even if I were older, because my teeth would still have been off and

dentures wear down your jaw so that would creat huge issues when I

was older. I had been through three or four " plans " for how to fix

this orthadonticaly avoiding surgery. So I guess you do what you

have to do, count yourself luckey that you can afford such a luxury

of spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on your teeth,when

most the world can not afford a simple cleaning and would have to

struggle to even buy a tooth brush and tooth paste. (I have been to

Ghana and they chew on sticks to clean their teeth---the really poor

people) Anyway so I just sucked it up and did it.

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will

definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

Well for me there was no choice, it was either have the surgery or

loose my teeth. And Dentures were not an option at the age of 21,

even if I were older, because my teeth would still have been off and

dentures wear down your jaw so that would creat huge issues when I

was older. I had been through three or four " plans " for how to fix

this orthadonticaly avoiding surgery. So I guess you do what you

have to do, count yourself luckey that you can afford such a luxury

of spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on your teeth,when

most the world can not afford a simple cleaning and would have to

struggle to even buy a tooth brush and tooth paste. (I have been to

Ghana and they chew on sticks to clean their teeth---the really poor

people) Anyway so I just sucked it up and did it.

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will

definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

1. Please try not to be embarrassed. It's your jaw, not your

personality, that is involved.

2. Whether you have pain now is not an indication of whether you

may have pain later... These things, and most specifically these jaw

things, tend not to talk to us until we get older.

3. Yep. There are risks. There have been people who had no joint

pain before, but had particular troubles post op -- numbness, even

pain. That's the hard one -- you have to figure it out for yourself.

Preferably with the help of a good surgeon and orthodontist. Most

find no big troubles from the surgery, but the caveat is always that

what happens with " most " doesn't help if you're the exception.

How do you weigh it out? I looked and listened. If you look up my

pictures, you will see that there's not a lot of difference, for me.

But I was in danger of losing my teeth from what my perio lady

called my " destructive bite. " So, at age 56, I had braces applied

and eventually had really easy, rewarding surgery. No difficulties.

No risks -- once I came out of the anesthesia.

For me, it was worth doing. For you? You are the only one who can

decide.

Good wishes to you, and think a lot...

C.

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will

definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

1. Please try not to be embarrassed. It's your jaw, not your

personality, that is involved.

2. Whether you have pain now is not an indication of whether you

may have pain later... These things, and most specifically these jaw

things, tend not to talk to us until we get older.

3. Yep. There are risks. There have been people who had no joint

pain before, but had particular troubles post op -- numbness, even

pain. That's the hard one -- you have to figure it out for yourself.

Preferably with the help of a good surgeon and orthodontist. Most

find no big troubles from the surgery, but the caveat is always that

what happens with " most " doesn't help if you're the exception.

How do you weigh it out? I looked and listened. If you look up my

pictures, you will see that there's not a lot of difference, for me.

But I was in danger of losing my teeth from what my perio lady

called my " destructive bite. " So, at age 56, I had braces applied

and eventually had really easy, rewarding surgery. No difficulties.

No risks -- once I came out of the anesthesia.

For me, it was worth doing. For you? You are the only one who can

decide.

Good wishes to you, and think a lot...

C.

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will

definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I am currently in an almost identical situation. I have quite an

underbite which has put a damper on my confidence. I don't have any

pain yet, and there's a chance I never will. I do have difficulties

eating certain things, and sometimes I feel as though my jaw locks

up when I bite into things like hard chocolate (that CAN be

painful). However, nothing bothers me to the point where I cannot

function. It took me awhile to finally realize that I wanted the

surgery. If my underbite didn't affect my confidence, I never would

have considered surgery at this moment. What helped me decide was

to notice how I live my life everyday, and try to imagine what would

change by undergoing jaw surgery. I imagined myself being 1,000

times more confident, outgoing, and comfortable with myself. Many

aspects of my life would change, not just the function of my jaw.

Granted, those are all results of an appearance change, which does

not necessarily change with this type of surgery (they are based on

improvement of function, not appearance, unless you go to a plastic

surgeon). However, my case is pretty darn extreme that the only way

to go is up. I find myself worrying about this more as I get older,

and the sooner I am free of the burden, the better! What also

helped me decide to have the surgery now are my plans for the

future. I'm a college student now, planning to go to med school.

Once I enter that world, there will be NO time for a thing like

this. But, you can always wait a few years to do this, if you'd

like. As long as you're not in any pain, there's no need to rush

it. One more thing: at first, I tried to imagine what I would look

like after the entire process is over, but you really should not do

that. The outcome may not be quite as different as you'd like, and

you'd be disappointed if you were counting on a completely different

face. Consider all the reasons you'd like to go through with it.

Read through this board a bit and discover some negative things that

can happen during the surgery. That'll help you make up your mind.

After doing so myself, I realized that the benefits of this surgery

definitely outweighed the negatives. For example, my bottom jaw is

already off-center, so that can only be improved (some with perfect

midlines end up with off-center midlines). I'm just beginning the

whole process as well (I'll be visiting my surgeon for the first

evaluation in December). This board has really helped me educate

myself and figure out what I really wanted. I hope it'll help you

do the same! Good luck!

> > >

> > > Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am

trying

> > to

> > > make the decision of whether or not to go through with the

whole

> > > process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure

exactly

> > > what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

> > the

> > > process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

> > have

> > > any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed

because I

> > am

> > > so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to

people

> > > because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and

how it

> > > isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that

down

> > the

> > > road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

> > even

> > > bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I

am

> > > afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

> > specific

> > > risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where

you

> > > were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

> > you

> > > might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the

risks of

> > > something like this when you don't know for sure it will

> > definetely

> > > be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

> > questions

> > > about this. I really want to do it because I would like to

change

> > my

> > > appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but

I am

> > > scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I am currently in an almost identical situation. I have quite an

underbite which has put a damper on my confidence. I don't have any

pain yet, and there's a chance I never will. I do have difficulties

eating certain things, and sometimes I feel as though my jaw locks

up when I bite into things like hard chocolate (that CAN be

painful). However, nothing bothers me to the point where I cannot

function. It took me awhile to finally realize that I wanted the

surgery. If my underbite didn't affect my confidence, I never would

have considered surgery at this moment. What helped me decide was

to notice how I live my life everyday, and try to imagine what would

change by undergoing jaw surgery. I imagined myself being 1,000

times more confident, outgoing, and comfortable with myself. Many

aspects of my life would change, not just the function of my jaw.

Granted, those are all results of an appearance change, which does

not necessarily change with this type of surgery (they are based on

improvement of function, not appearance, unless you go to a plastic

surgeon). However, my case is pretty darn extreme that the only way

to go is up. I find myself worrying about this more as I get older,

and the sooner I am free of the burden, the better! What also

helped me decide to have the surgery now are my plans for the

future. I'm a college student now, planning to go to med school.

Once I enter that world, there will be NO time for a thing like

this. But, you can always wait a few years to do this, if you'd

like. As long as you're not in any pain, there's no need to rush

it. One more thing: at first, I tried to imagine what I would look

like after the entire process is over, but you really should not do

that. The outcome may not be quite as different as you'd like, and

you'd be disappointed if you were counting on a completely different

face. Consider all the reasons you'd like to go through with it.

Read through this board a bit and discover some negative things that

can happen during the surgery. That'll help you make up your mind.

After doing so myself, I realized that the benefits of this surgery

definitely outweighed the negatives. For example, my bottom jaw is

already off-center, so that can only be improved (some with perfect

midlines end up with off-center midlines). I'm just beginning the

whole process as well (I'll be visiting my surgeon for the first

evaluation in December). This board has really helped me educate

myself and figure out what I really wanted. I hope it'll help you

do the same! Good luck!

> > >

> > > Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am

trying

> > to

> > > make the decision of whether or not to go through with the

whole

> > > process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure

exactly

> > > what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of

> > the

> > > process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

> > have

> > > any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed

because I

> > am

> > > so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to

people

> > > because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and

how it

> > > isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that

down

> > the

> > > road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

> > even

> > > bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I

am

> > > afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

> > specific

> > > risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where

you

> > > were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity

> > you

> > > might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the

risks of

> > > something like this when you don't know for sure it will

> > definetely

> > > be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

> > questions

> > > about this. I really want to do it because I would like to

change

> > my

> > > appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but

I am

> > > scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I never experienced pain due to my underbite. I was however beginning

to have problems because my bite was cauising some of my upper teeth

to come loose and I would run the risk if losing some of my upper

teeth if I did not do the surgery. I had surgery July 8 and I am very

happy with the results. The risks are the same risks you would have

with any major surgery, there is also the risk that your surgery will

not come out exactly as planned or as you had imagined. and some

ppeople have had to have second surgeries, but this is not the norm.

I think overall most people are happy with the aesthetic as well as

the functional results. I know I am. My pictures are posted under

links/photos/ Marsha's pix if you want to look at them.

Hope some of this helps.

Marsha

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I never experienced pain due to my underbite. I was however beginning

to have problems because my bite was cauising some of my upper teeth

to come loose and I would run the risk if losing some of my upper

teeth if I did not do the surgery. I had surgery July 8 and I am very

happy with the results. The risks are the same risks you would have

with any major surgery, there is also the risk that your surgery will

not come out exactly as planned or as you had imagined. and some

ppeople have had to have second surgeries, but this is not the norm.

I think overall most people are happy with the aesthetic as well as

the functional results. I know I am. My pictures are posted under

links/photos/ Marsha's pix if you want to look at them.

Hope some of this helps.

Marsha

>

> Hi all! I have been reading the posts on here because I am trying

to

> make the decision of whether or not to go through with the whole

> process to fix my bite. I have an underbite. I'm not sure exactly

> what the surgery will consist of, I am only in the beginning of the

> process trying to decide if I want to begin it. I don't really

have

> any pain with my bite, but it is something I want fixed because I

am

> so selfconscious about it. I am embarrassed when I talk to people

> because I feel like they are always looking at my mouth and how it

> isn't normal. I have also been cautioned by my dentist that down

the

> road I might have problems with opening my mouth wide enough to

even

> bite into an apple because of TMJ. He wants me to do it but I am

> afraid of the potential risks involved. What exactly are the

specific

> risks involved? Has anyone else experienced my situation where you

> were not currently experiencing pain, but there is a possiblity you

> might in the future without surgery? How do you weigh the risks of

> something like this when you don't know for sure it will definetely

> be a problem down the road? As you can see, I have a lot of

questions

> about this. I really want to do it because I would like to change

my

> appearence for better and prevent problems down the road, but I am

> scared of any potential risks. Can anyone help?? Jen