Re: New and confused in New Orleans...

November 6, 2005

To dishy_ny - Welcome to this group!! My problem differs from

yours, but I'll try to answer some of your questions. You will need

to get braces first, so find an Orthodontist that has experience

working with surgical cases. I doubt that Invisalign can be used

because the Surgeon needs to be able to attach the splint to your

braces.(The splint is something that is used to keep your jaws

stable after the surgery and is removed anywhere from two to six

weeks later.) I don't know exactly what procedures you will need to

have done, and your Orthodontist and Surgeon can best answer your

questions related to your particular condition. Not all surgeries or

surgeons require that the jaws be wired shut; this depends on the

procedures done and your surgeon's preferences.// This is my story:

I am a 47 year-old woman with an underbite that I have had for

almost forty years. I will be having lower surgery to set back my

mandible and upper surgery to bring my maxilla forward. I have had

my braces for 3 months. I will have my braces on for up to ten

months prior to and up to six months following my surgeries. My

braces are costing me $5K; I'm not sure what my surgery will be

costing, but I do know that my insurance will not be paying for it

as it is an excluded benefit. I plan to take at least four weeks off

of work. I won't be wired shut; my Surgeon will be using the splint

and tiny screws. As for the pain, I think this is different for

everybody, but you will be well medicated so don't worry.// Well, I

hope that I have answered some of your questions. Once you know what

procedures you will be having, you can do a web search to learn more

about it. Also, read the archives of this group, and do a subject

search. Take care and hope you can get in to see someone soon. Take

Care. ~~~~ Diane (Idaho)

>

> And so very happy to have stumbled upon this group.

>

> My jaw has been messed up for years - one side of my face is

longer

> than the other which puts pressure on the shorter jaw and leaves a

> ringing in the longer side ear. I have been putting off treatment

> due to lack of money and fear of post sugery pain/ wires/ looking

> stupid; but finally I have decided I have to do something. So I

go

> to the dentist, start to get my teeth looked at etc and then

Katrina

> hits.

>

> Long story short I have a million questions about what the

treatment

> procedure is and how long the healing time lasts and how much the

> surgery costs and - well, no one to ask. Nothing is open yet down

> here.

>

> So, for anyone who has a similar story as mine - the right side of

> my jaw is approx 1/4 inch longer the my left. I need surgery to

fix

> this and then braces to straighten my teeth. How long is the

> surgery usually? How painful is it? (i've had my deviated septum

> fixed years ago and the post op pain was almost unbearable!!!) Do

> they wire you shut? For how long? Can one use the invisalign

braces

> to correct the bite? How much did you pay? How much work did you

> miss? Was your face brused? Scars on the jaw? WAS IT WORTH IT?

>

> I admit, it would be nice to see a photo of my face where I didn't

> look freaky.

>

> Sorry this post is so long. Thanks for your help!!!

>

November 7, 2005

Hi Dishy20,

I am also preop here, but I think the post already written to you is

excellent advise. Looking through a few weeks worth of posts here

really answered most of my initial questions about orthognathic

procedures. After that, consults in person with my OD (I went to

three consults) gave me some personally specific information, which

I did more research about here on the board through specific

questions. The posts are dated, so I just went back 2 or 3 weeks (I

don't really remember now), and started reading forward. I learned A

LOT!!! And I am still learning. But I wanted to take a minute here

and welcome you to the board. Welcome!

Hugs,

Fran

>