Vale-I had first talk with dentist about no room for tongue

[Guest guest]

Hi Vale and everyone!

I just had my first real discussion with my dentist about what I

have come to find is a complex orthognathic problem, that requires

maxilla lengthening and mandible surgery moving forward and centered

(currently goes to the left). I will also need septal correction to

put everything in alignment. I do not have an obvious overbite or

underbite, though I do have an underbite. He says it is a skeletal

Class II malocclusion, div II. It will require orthodontic work

first, then the surgery, followed by a quite complex full mouth

rehabilitation. All of my teeth are about half the length of

normal. My lower jaw overcloses and ends with an underbite. And my

maxilla is half distance too. This is why my tongue doesn't have

room in my mouth. I chew all my food from the pocket of my cheeks.

He said there was a name for the callous on the inside of my cheek

too. And the reason I didn't know I had an underbite is that my

teeth turn in somewhat and I have a button pad on my chin which from

my profile belies the fact that my jaw is receded.

I got so much information that my head is swimming. I didn't

realize that other people chew with food in their mouths. And I am

51 years old! When you don't realize you have a problem, it is easy

to rationalize difficulties you have as something everyone else has

too. I have always had dental care, and it was never mentioned

before - but orthognathic surgery is a particular interest of my new

dentist. He has just finished his own mouth, having his braces post

op removed just before Thanksgiving!! So he is aware and spreading

the word. But mine is not a really common problem. My new dentist

says he only has one other client who has this also.

I don't look like there is a real problem, but if you see a mold of

my mouth along side people who don't have this (which is what my

dentist did for me), I was absolutely stunned!! No wonder I can't

bite apples or my fingernails. No wonder I stumble over my words

sometimes, and can't get my mouth to move the correct way. I

definately can't chew gum and talk. I choke easily and frequently

every time I eat. I never ever have more than about 1/4 teaspoon of

already chewed or mashed potato consistency food in my mouth at one

time. The rest is pocketed in my cheeks, which have become very

adept at feeding very small amounts of food into the molars to

chew. DH has always called me chipmonk cheeks, and he was right!!

LOL But I thought everyone ate this way, and it was just that my

chunky sized cheeks were more obvious. Like I said, it is easy to

rationalize.

The dentist even said my chunky cheeks are a function of the

shortened jaw, and when they are in alignment, the cheeks will be

elongated and not have the squished look they now have with a closed

mouth.

And the full mouth rehab means I will have new crowns on ALL of my

teeth, so I will never need bleaching again! I guess that is a

bonus for having to be working with this for 3-4 years. Yeah, that

is the downside. I was hoping for a 2 year process.

So he referred me to a couple of orthodontists for my first consults

with them. I have made the appointments for the end of this month

(26th and 27th), and will know more then. I have good insurance for

the surgery, but will be out at least some for the orthodontic work

and part of the crown work. (I am really lucky that I have 80%

coverage for crowns with no annual limit). I will see how much

effort it takes to get preauthorized with the insurance company.

From what I have read with you, it is a real nightmare. It is my

biggest concern. Even with my dentist, who has training in the full

mouth rehab portion, and who will be cheaper than others, this is

going to be one spendy smile.

Sorry this is so long. But thanks for reading this!

Fran