Intro and Hello

[Guest guest]

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