Going in for Consultation for Orthognathic Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hello, my name is and I joined this group to know what I

might be going through for my jaw surgery.

I grew with a weak chin that progressively turned worse. I've had

four premolars pulled when I was 12 and my wisdom teeth pulled in

the Fall of 2004. I've worn braces and headgear, which straightened

my teeth except for a slight overlap on my front teeth.

When I was 11, my jaw problems started. My jaw started popping on

the right side and constantly seems to ache. I told the

Orthodontist and he said it would go away. I am 23 now. My jaw has

been popping and hurting for close to 13 years.

I have a deep bite paired with an overbite and an underdevolped

lower jaw. I get constant headaches, chewing is awkward, I pronouce

my th's like v's, I breath mostly through my mouth.

Sometimes my jaw sticks, but now it jerks sharply to the left

whenever I chew or speak. I'm going with the surgery because I feel

like that is my only option. Got a consultation on the 11th of next

month.

[Guest guest]

Shame on that first orthodontist! Some of the tales from the bad old

days are truly distressing.

Back when I was in my first set of braces, they truly didn't know as

much as they do now about the importance of the relationships of the

jaws. So there's some excuse. The orthognathic surgery procedures

were also much more complicated and dangerous in the bad old days.

But I'm talking about the 1950s.

Now you're on a better track to getting the help you need. I hope

that your jaws are not deteriorated or arthritic, but it's a question

to ask an excellent oral and maxillofacial surgeon and/or

orthodontist who's experienced in such matters.

Do ask any expert you talk with how many such cases he's handled, and

how many procedures he's performed. (Mine had done 1,700+ back in

2002.) That's not necessarily a criterion -- some docs haven't done

as many, but are excellent, but it can be a useful bit of info.

Good luck. Read around on the sites, and ask any questions we might

be helpful with. And remember that your docs are always your best

source of info about your particular case.

Cammie

> Hello, my name is and I joined this group to know what I

> might be going through for my jaw surgery.

>

> I grew with a weak chin that progressively turned worse. I've had

> four premolars pulled when I was 12 and my wisdom teeth pulled in

> the Fall of 2004. I've worn braces and headgear, which

straightened

> my teeth except for a slight overlap on my front teeth.

>

> When I was 11, my jaw problems started. My jaw started popping on

> the right side and constantly seems to ache. I told the

> Orthodontist and he said it would go away. I am 23 now. My jaw

has

> been popping and hurting for close to 13 years.

>

> I have a deep bite paired with an overbite and an underdevolped

> lower jaw. I get constant headaches, chewing is awkward, I

pronouce

> my th's like v's, I breath mostly through my mouth.

>

> Sometimes my jaw sticks, but now it jerks sharply to the left

> whenever I chew or speak. I'm going with the surgery because I

feel

> like that is my only option. Got a consultation on the 11th of

next

> month.