Cary/Re: Considering Ortho Surgery

[Guest guest]

I would say, don't decide casually to do or not do this. Find out

about the risks -- there are some; it involves general anesthesia,

for example. And you can wind up with numbness. Some people have

damage to teeth in the process.

But you can also be hit by a truck on the way to the supermarket

tomorrow. (Happy thought, I know. But part of life.)

It's just up to you to learn about the possible risks -- sounds like

you already understand the benefits, and the risks of NOT having

surgery -- and then weigh it out for yourself.

It's a considerable undertaking in money, in inconvenience and in

having your life discombobulated.

All that said, I'm glad I did it -- and I was 56, almost 57, three

years ago when I had surgery June 26. (Lower advancement). I was in

braces 20 months. I had ceramic brackets up top, metal below (my

ortho believes that the ceramic brackets are actually harder than the

metal ones, and can crack an upper tooth if they're on the lower

teeth - at least in a mouth with an overbite.

If it tells you anything about the reactions I found, or the lack

thereof, if I were doing it all again, I'd go for all metal brackets.

They were more comfortable to me, and I found that nobody cared what

was going on with my mouth, except maybe for the fact that owing to

my advanced age, I took the full four weeks off work to recover.

I didn't have significant pain, and what I had was handled well with

meds. I never had any numbness. My ortho uses rigid internal

fixation, which means I have three little titanium screws on each

side of my jaw. And that I was not wired (nor even banded) shut when

I left the hospital.

I did get rid of the tmj troubles I'd been having. I had little pain

from the braces, too -- although there was not a time during the 20

months that I didn't have more or less discomfort from them. Some

folks don't have any at all; others struggle.

Do remember either to fortify yourself with wax, or to ask your ortho

for some on the day of installation. (You can buy it at most

drugstores and groceries, and it can save you from a cut-up mouth, at

least while the wires and brackets are new and your mouth is tender.

And as for your child: Today's orthodontists are wizards, I really

believe. (A few are rotten apples, but that's true in any profession.

Most are caring, compassionate professionals who want to help, not

hurt, you.) They can do things for children that weren't dreamt of

when I was a kid, and can help direct the growth to avoid some of

these challenges. Just be sure your child sees one early on, and get

good advice about how to proceed.

Best wishes to you, whichever way you decide to go.

Cammie

> Thanks ,

>

> You people are far too nice! I am so thankful of the reponse that

> you put into your replies. I can't say how much I appreciate it.

>

> I must admit, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do this. Hopefully I

can

> go forward with it quickly before I get a chance to change my

> mind. I'm extremely nervous about it all but I hope it will all be

for

> the best.

>

> My condition is hereditary as my father has the same issues.

> But, the terrible thing is that I've noticed my 4 year old son has

> the same jaw as me and an open bite as well. It's an awful

> feeling when you realize it's your own genes that cause your

> offspring to have the same thing as yourself. Although, with what

> I know now my son won't have to suffer with what I have due to

> ignorance of the issue.

>

> Thank you again and I'll keep in touch.

> Cary