Re: Surgery Decision

October 11, 2005

I would get a second and third opinion from other orthodontists who

specialize in correcting bites and work in conjunction with oral

surgeons. Also, it is good if they treat TMJ issues - that means

they deal with and are familiar with " bites " . Definately worth more

opinions. You will find out if they are all saying the same thing or

not. I interviewed 3 highly recommended dentists. I asked around. I

was surprised how some were more proficient with correcting bites

than others - the experience level.

As an adult at 30, I feel comfortable making this decision. My point

is, I would get more opinions and communicate openly with your son.

See what he thinks. If your son is a part of the decision process

and understands the committment involved, that will probably make

you feel better. He needs to be aware of what he may or may not be

agreeing to get into. My dentist made sure I understood that once I

got braces, there was no turning around -the process was in motion

to move everything. I have no regrets that I have started this

process - it is mostly because I am mentally ok with my decision and

fully on board. Ultimately, it is a personal decision. Your son has

a great mom looking out for him. The thought of jaw surgery is

overwhelming and a bit scary. By investigating the process and

talking to more doctors - you both will have a better idea whether

this is something to pursue (or not).

Best Regards.

>

> My almost 18 year old son was just diagnosed with a class 3

> underbite. Other than some clicking in his jaw had has no other

> problems. Now they are reccomending 1 years worth of braces plus

> orthognathic surger after that. The orthodontist we talked to

didn't

> really make me believe this was a necessary thing. He said there

will

> be over time, wearing down of the teeth and POSSIBLY TMJ

problems. Is

> all this really worth it when he is having no problems now and

can't

> really predict the long term consequenses? Aesthetically, he

looks

> just fine, it's barely noticable. Any advice? Anything I should

know

> about long term problems from NOT correcting this now? I'd

appreciate

> any help you can give.

>

October 11, 2005

Hi. I'm 18 and I had jaw surgery in July. My situation was similar

to your son's, I didn't have any problems right now but there was a

chance that I could in the future. I made my own decision that I

wanted to go through with it - not that I had self image problems (in

fact it was only a 5mm change and you can't tell ANY difference), just

that I decided to deal with it now rather than the possibility of

having to go through this when I am 40 or 50. I will never know if I

would have had problems with my jaw when I was older, but I am glad

that I won't have to find out. Hope this helps.

Val

>

> My almost 18 year old son was just diagnosed with a class 3

> underbite. Other than some clicking in his jaw had has no other

> problems. Now they are reccomending 1 years worth of braces plus

> orthognathic surger after that. The orthodontist we talked to didn't

> really make me believe this was a necessary thing. He said there will

> be over time, wearing down of the teeth and POSSIBLY TMJ problems. Is

> all this really worth it when he is having no problems now and can't

> really predict the long term consequenses? Aesthetically, he looks

> just fine, it's barely noticable. Any advice? Anything I should know

> about long term problems from NOT correcting this now? I'd appreciate

> any help you can give.

>

October 11, 2005

I had braces on in my teens, from 12-16 years old, towards the 3rd year into my

orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist just couldn't get my bite quite right (I

have an open bite) and he told my mom that I would need orthognathic surgery.

He explained the surgery to her, and she didn't like the sound of it so I never

had it done. I am now 28 years old, and have been in braces for 3 weeks, and am

scheduled to have surgery within 9-12 months. I SO wish that my mom had made

the decision for me to have had this surgery when I was younger. Hope this

helps with your decision...

owluu wrote:My almost 18 year old son was just diagnosed with

a class 3

underbite. Other than some clicking in his jaw had has no other

problems. Now they are reccomending 1 years worth of braces plus

orthognathic surger after that. The orthodontist we talked to didn't

really make me believe this was a necessary thing. He said there will

be over time, wearing down of the teeth and POSSIBLY TMJ problems. Is

all this really worth it when he is having no problems now and can't

really predict the long term consequenses? Aesthetically, he looks

just fine, it's barely noticable. Any advice? Anything I should know

about long term problems from NOT correcting this now? I'd appreciate

any help you can give.

October 11, 2005

Hiya

Unlike Samara and Gene, my dentists never knew that I had an underbite

as a child, and since my teeth were straight, I never went to an OD,

so I was 28 when I found out my problems. My TMJ's have started to

wear to the point that I may not be able to avoid surgery on them too.

Since it has taken me 3.5 years to even prepare for surgery (I

finally have a date of 10/20--Leforte I 3 piece) I am very glad that I

decided to go with the treatment. I am apparently very resistant to

orthodontic treatment, and have slipped dates frequent enough that my

OD stopped giving me a timeline because he couldn't predict how my

teeth would move. But in the time that it has taken me to be prepared

for surgery my TMJ's have started to hurt, where they didn't

previously, only headaches from keeping my jaw in the incorrect

position. So, if in my case they had found my problems earlier, I

might have had less joint damage and the braces might have moved my

teeth without as much of a fight. My parents are currently feeling

*VERY* upset that my problems were not detected at an earlier age, and

even though I have assured them that they could have not prevented my

situation, I think they would have felt better if they had known

earlier. Unfortunately, there is little way to predict how your son

will go, but I definately think that a second (or third) opinion would

give you and your son more information. Either way, at least you are

aware that the problem exists, and your son can be wary of potential

problems. Knowledge is half the battle....right?

Nay

My almost 18 year old son was just

diagnosed with a class 3