Re: do I have an orthognathic problem

January 8, 2005

Hi Vale,

You can't believe how glad I am to hear from you!! I am in the same

situation almost exactly. I don't have an underbite, but my jaw, my

maxilla and my septum all make a well defined " Z " if you look

forward at me with my head tipped back. But the main chewing

problem I have is actually the very same you are describing. I

don't have room for my tongue in my mouth. In fact, when I chew, I

pocket the food in my cheeks and feed it into my molars to chew. I

have callouses on my cheek inner walls. If I relax my tongue it

protrudes from my teeth slightly (about 1/4 " ). With my teeth

closed, my tongue actually had to bunch up to fit relaxed. I have

no room to move the food bolus if it is in my mouth. I really don't

have room for much more than a tiny amount of chewed or soft food

like mashed potatoes and my tongue at the same time. Or I choke.

Unfortunately, I can't tell you if orthognathic surgery can help

your situation, as I have only been approached by my dentist about

it a few weeks ago, and I go in this next week to discuss it with

him. I will ask as many questions as I can think of, and post back

here. Maybe some of the information will help you too. Have you

talked with a professional yet? I am just so glad to see that I am

not the only person with this particular situation!

Thank you for posting. I will post when I talk to my dentist!

Fran

>

> Dear group: I am wondering if you can figure out what kind of

> problem I have. I do have a small lower jaw and an underbite.

This

> doesn't really bother me however what bothers me is the way that

my

> tounge feels in my mouth. It basically feels as though there is

not

> enough space for it! the tip often gets irritated and sometimes I

> have trouble talking even. I have had this problem for about two

> years and it is so unconfortable that I need to do something about

> it. I started thinking that is my jaw were to be moved forward

> (because it is receded a bit) there would be more space in my

> mouth. Does any one have any advice? Is this a orthoganthic

> issue? Let me know please....

>

> Thanks very much,

> Vale

January 9, 2005

See an orthodontist and/or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and

you'll get an answer. They're the ones who can look at what's going

on in your mouth and tell you what needs to be done to fix your

troubles. And, for that matter, what your troubles are! ;~>)

Best,

Cammie

>