Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 In a message dated 1/22/2005 2:31:42 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, no_reply writes: So, that's how I had 20 months of braces and lower advancement by 5 mm., with a bit of movement to the side, at age 56-57. ## I'm 45 and while I was talking to the orthodontist on Thursday I started saying why bother at my age He reminded me that I probably will live another 30-40 years (God willing) and having straight teeth and a good bite are just as important at 80 as they are at 20. ## I'll see how it goes when I see the oral surgeon. I'm really hoping my medical will pay for the surgery part because its going to be a stretch for me to pay for just the ortho. I really, really do have a thing about the metal braces, so I will take him up on the option to use Invisalign for the up-front straightening. I don't need much, but I guess from an orthodontic point of view I do since my front teeth have pointed inward as well as having very slight overlap. My ortho said he won't have to put metal braces on until shortly before surgery. But all this is still spinning around in my head, I must say. I never expected to hear about braces and surgery when I went in. ## I'm interested to hear more about what your surgery entailed since it sounds like what I'll be facing. Do you wear your retainers only at night? Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Hi and welcome, Well if not all the way down the road but further along than you are. Many people on this group either already had or will have surgery and we are in braces for years. I found information on this site very helpful and surgery becomes less frightening if you know what is involved. I'm sure after reading posts here you will feel more confident as time goes by. You are definitely not alone. It sounds like you have an open bite as well. I am just about to have my braces on next Tuesday which I surprisingly can't wait as it means they will remove these annoying spacers. I am very well aware of all the pain and discomfort I will have to endure to get that perfect bite but in the last few years my open bite has caused problems. For me not being able to bite with the braces won't be a disaster as I have got used to that in the past. I can't bite anything now either. I had to realize the longer I wait the worse it will be and it will have to be done someday. So I may as well get over with this now and live longer with my healthy jaw. I believe it will be worth it and I have visions of a day when I can bite into anything without having to think about whether I can or I cannot eat that food. Good luck with the insurance. (I didn't have that problem as insurance hardly covers any orthodontics above age 18 so I am practically paying from the pocket. I tried to work out how much this will cost me altogether and I arrived at 60-70% of my yearly income. Had I lived alone I wouldn't be able to pay for this. ) Keep us informed. Karola > > Hi, I am so glad to have found this group. I am still in shock after > a visit with the orthodondist. > > I have some very slight crowding of my upper front teeth. My dentist > recommended an ortho, and I had visions of a year in Invisalign and > all would be well. The orthodontist took the impressions and x- rays > and I went back on Thursday for my consultation. He said that I > could, in fact, straighten my teeth with Invisalign, but that he had > bad news about my bite. He told me that after reviewing my x-rays he > was amazed about how badly regressed my lower jaw was. He said he > was surprised to see this on x-ray because outwardly I don't present > with a weak jaw. He said he's never seen anyone with x-rays this bad > that he couldn't identify by just looking at. I guess that's a > compliment! He strongly suggested that I do the Invisalign, followed > by surgery for mandibular advancement and then regular braces for a > short time. He said that if I straighten my teeth without doing the > surgery to fix the bite, the teeth would be more likely to drift back > and I'd have to be religious about my retainer (I have no problem > with that), that my bite might end up worse after straightening, and > that I face loss of dentition over the years of incorrect bite. > > Needless to say, that is not what I expected. I always knew my bite > was off. When I bite down on my back teeth, my front teeth don't > touch. The fronts overlap the backs. Its never been a problem for > me, either functionally or aesthetically. Sure, I wouldn't mind if > my chin came out a little further, but before seeing this > orthodondist, I certainly never considered surgery. > > So, here I am. I have an appointment to see the oral surgeon next > week for another consultation. I do know that if my health or dental > insurance doesn't cover the surgery, I could not afford to do it. > Depending upon insurance, what I'll be deciding is whether to just > straighten, or straighten and have the mandibular advancement. I > really wasn't prepared for two years of orthodontia and a surgical > procedure. My ortho makes it sounds pretty straight forward, and > tells me I will only need one day off work. I'm anxious to talk to > the oral surgeon. > > There are so many members in this group, I'm hoping there is someone > here who has been down a similar road! > > Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Sharon, I, too, had worn braces as a child. But at age 56, my periodontist was astonished when I asked her if it would help her task to straighten just my front lower teeth, which were suffering from being badly crowded. " Just these right here in front! " I insisted. She became almost ecstatic -- I think she had believed I'd never consider such a thing. and she sent me to a most kindly, experienced and expert ortho here. Of course, I didn't even get as far as suggesting what I wanted. He looked, evaluated, and started talking surgery, while stressing that the procedures are much easier than they used to be. (My surgeon no longer wires people shut; in fact, I left the hospital with a splint wired in, but without even any bands.) All in all, I saw five different dentists, all of whom generally concurred that the surgery and the ortho were the way to go. Most advised that it's what I'd need for long-term retention, even if I was willing to wear retainers for the rest of time without. One cautioned about a possible worsening of TMJ pain, but most agreed that it was likely to resolve the bit of discomfort I was already experiencing. So, that's how I had 20 months of braces and lower advancement by 5 mm., with a bit of movement to the side, at age 56-57. My insurance did cover it -- my major medical. My dental paid somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500 toward the braces, which was welcome, but not a drop in the almost-$6,000 bucket. (My guy is wonderful, but one pays for wonderful.) I'm glad I did it. My surgeon did tell me that if I decided not to have surgery, but to use the retainers religiously, that was an option. I expect to wear the retainers forever, anyhow. I am not taking any chances on a third round of braces! (They aren't that much fun!) C. > > Hi, I am so glad to have found this group. I am still in shock after > a visit with the orthodondist. > > I have some very slight crowding of my upper front teeth. My dentist > recommended an ortho, and I had visions of a year in Invisalign and > all would be well. The orthodontist took the impressions and x- rays > and I went back on Thursday for my consultation. He said that I > could, in fact, straighten my teeth with Invisalign, but that he had > bad news about my bite. He told me that after reviewing my x-rays he > was amazed about how badly regressed my lower jaw was. He said he > was surprised to see this on x-ray because outwardly I don't present > with a weak jaw. He said he's never seen anyone with x-rays this bad > that he couldn't identify by just looking at. I guess that's a > compliment! He strongly suggested that I do the Invisalign, followed > by surgery for mandibular advancement and then regular braces for a > short time. He said that if I straighten my teeth without doing the > surgery to fix the bite, the teeth would be more likely to drift back > and I'd have to be religious about my retainer (I have no problem > with that), that my bite might end up worse after straightening, and > that I face loss of dentition over the years of incorrect bite. > > Needless to say, that is not what I expected. I always knew my bite > was off. When I bite down on my back teeth, my front teeth don't > touch. The fronts overlap the backs. Its never been a problem for > me, either functionally or aesthetically. Sure, I wouldn't mind if > my chin came out a little further, but before seeing this > orthodondist, I certainly never considered surgery. > > So, here I am. I have an appointment to see the oral surgeon next > week for another consultation. I do know that if my health or dental > insurance doesn't cover the surgery, I could not afford to do it. > Depending upon insurance, what I'll be deciding is whether to just > straighten, or straighten and have the mandibular advancement. I > really wasn't prepared for two years of orthodontia and a surgical > procedure. My ortho makes it sounds pretty straight forward, and > tells me I will only need one day off work. I'm anxious to talk to > the oral surgeon. > > There are so many members in this group, I'm hoping there is someone > here who has been down a similar road! > > Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Oh, and one other thing: You might consider your options in fixed braces, with wires and brackets, throughout. I had ceramic ones on top and metal on the lower; there are also clear ones available that are nearly invisible. If I were doing it again, I'd go with all metal, because I found them more comfortable. Lots of adults fear the look, but honesly, it doesn't make any difference. I found that most of the folks who asked me about them wanted to talk,in fact, about whether they could do anything about their own mouths! I won't tell you they're comfy, but then I don't think Invisalign are, either -- at least judging from my latest retainers, which are making a few changes for me, and which make me every bit as sore as the braces ever did. Fewer scrapes from the wires and brackets (although the acryllic can sometimes do a worse number on my tongue) but those generally can be conquered with wax or silicone. It's usually cheaper, and quicker, to do the fixed braces, I think, unless you really have a bugaboo about the metal-mouth look. cammie > > Hi, I am so glad to have found this group. I am still in shock after > a visit with the orthodondist. > > I have some very slight crowding of my upper front teeth. My dentist > recommended an ortho, and I had visions of a year in Invisalign and > all would be well. The orthodontist took the impressions and x- rays > and I went back on Thursday for my consultation. He said that I > could, in fact, straighten my teeth with Invisalign, but that he had > bad news about my bite. He told me that after reviewing my x-rays he > was amazed about how badly regressed my lower jaw was. He said he > was surprised to see this on x-ray because outwardly I don't present > with a weak jaw. He said he's never seen anyone with x-rays this bad > that he couldn't identify by just looking at. I guess that's a > compliment! He strongly suggested that I do the Invisalign, followed > by surgery for mandibular advancement and then regular braces for a > short time. He said that if I straighten my teeth without doing the > surgery to fix the bite, the teeth would be more likely to drift back > and I'd have to be religious about my retainer (I have no problem > with that), that my bite might end up worse after straightening, and > that I face loss of dentition over the years of incorrect bite. > > Needless to say, that is not what I expected. I always knew my bite > was off. When I bite down on my back teeth, my front teeth don't > touch. The fronts overlap the backs. Its never been a problem for > me, either functionally or aesthetically. Sure, I wouldn't mind if > my chin came out a little further, but before seeing this > orthodondist, I certainly never considered surgery. > > So, here I am. I have an appointment to see the oral surgeon next > week for another consultation. I do know that if my health or dental > insurance doesn't cover the surgery, I could not afford to do it. > Depending upon insurance, what I'll be deciding is whether to just > straighten, or straighten and have the mandibular advancement. I > really wasn't prepared for two years of orthodontia and a surgical > procedure. My ortho makes it sounds pretty straight forward, and > tells me I will only need one day off work. I'm anxious to talk to > the oral surgeon. > > There are so many members in this group, I'm hoping there is someone > here who has been down a similar road! > > Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Hey, I'm in the same boat as some of you. I have an open bite and I'm getting braces put back on this week. I've had upper (lingual) and lower braces in the last few years. But the orthodontics, although they straightened my teeth, also created an open bite. Now I've decided, after seeing that ortho will not correct my bite, to have surgery. So I'm having them put on with my teeth being straight. I feel as though my OS messed me up a little by not emphasizing the fact that braces would cause an open bite and only surgery would correct it. Amy - if braces make you look younger, why not wait about 20 years? Regardless, no harm in telling someone why you have them on. I can only speak for myself - my friends and family know why I'm getting the braces, as do some coworkers. But don't feel obligated to tell anyone anything. It's your business. I'm 29 by the way. (pics under lanista) > > > > > > > > In a message dated 1/22/2005 2:31:42 P.M. US Mountain Standard > > > Time, > > > > no_reply writes: > > > > > > > > So, that's how I had 20 months of braces and lower advancement > > by > > > 5 > > > > mm., with a bit of movement to the side, at age 56-57. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ## I'm 45 and while I was talking to the orthodontist on > > Thursday I > > > started > > > > saying why bother at my age He reminded me that I probably > > will > > > live > > > > another 30-40 years (God willing) and having straight teeth and > > a > > > good bite are > > > > just as important at 80 as they are at 20. > > > > > > > > ## I'll see how it goes when I see the oral surgeon. I'm really > > > hoping my > > > > medical will pay for the surgery part because its going to be a > > > stretch for me > > > > to pay for just the ortho. I really, really do have a thing > > about > > > the metal > > > > braces, so I will take him up on the option to use Invisalign > > for > > > the > > > > up-front straightening. I don't need much, but I guess from > an > > > orthodontic point of > > > > view I do since my front teeth have pointed inward as well as > > > having very > > > > slight overlap. My ortho said he won't have to put metal > > braces > > > on until > > > > shortly before surgery. But all this is still spinning around > > in > > > my head, I must > > > > say. I never expected to hear about braces and surgery when I > > > went in. > > > > > > > > ## I'm interested to hear more about what your surgery entailed > > > since it > > > > sounds like what I'll be facing. Do you wear your retainers > > only > > > at night? > > > > > > > > Sharon > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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