ScratchTX 0 #1 June 24, 2004 Anyone here do major reconstructive orthodontics and jaw surgery, as an adult? I'm considering it -- three years of braces, extractions, etc. with upper and lower jaw surgery in the middle... major $$$ and committment... But the six teeth in my mouth that meet (all the rest don't come close to touching) are getting pretty worn. And my jaw is getting pretty tired of never being able to really just be at rest... I've had a pretty major open bite most of my life and it seems to be comng back to get me now -- 7 or 8 crowns, three root canals, and years of jaw/neck spasms and soreness later. It's not intolerable though, and may never get to be intolerable, and I have found lots of ways to deal with the neck/jaw stuff so that is really under control mostly. And a big part of me still says "HOW many thousands of dollars PLUS actually PAYING someone to break both my jawbones, just because my bite is not perfect?! Who cares, I can still eat as long as I don't have to bite anything with my front teeth, it's not like I walk around in pain all the time, just deal with it, am I being affected by this whole societal thing to rebuild ourselves into the perfect bodies?" etc. But another part of me kind of thinks that, three years from now, I might be really glad I did it. Kind of like you don't know what you're missing until you realize you're missing it... I never thought about what it might be like to be able to chew normally and close my mouth without any effort (hey THAT's why I talk so much... now I have an excuse!) Anyone ever do this or know someone who did? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aggie04 0 #2 June 24, 2004 I had jaw surgery when i was in high school...although not as major as what you are talking about. Anyway, i saw that you are from texas and my oral surgeon is in houston and i would reccommend him to anyone. He was absolutely wonderful. So if you need a good doctor...i know one! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A life without a cause is a life without an effect Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScratchTX 0 #3 June 24, 2004 If this health insurance company keeps giving me so much grief, I may end up going to Houston -- but I am in Austin, and would really like to see the doc that my orthodontist recommended, here in my home town . Thanks, though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chaoskitty 0 #4 June 24, 2004 I had jaw surgery to correct TMJ 3 years ago. They put braces on first. Then I had surgery a few months later. My jaws were wired shut for six weeks. That part does get old .. but you certainly dont starve to death. You can eat anything that you can get to your throat, basically. I lived on tomato soup, and chocolate slim fast with a scoop of peanut butter blended in. After the wires came off, I was very tender and still couldnt chew for a week or so. The braces stayed on for about another year.. just to correct my bite after they moved my jaws. The surgery also corrected an underbite, but that was just a bonus. My jaws dont hurt every day anymore. Sometimes just a little when I'm stressed. I would do it all again if need be. Insurance is gonna be a PITAss. Lots of people want this surgery for cosmetic reasons. I had to have an MRI to prove medical neccessity. After that it was no problem. It is a long process, but very much worth it. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #5 June 24, 2004 I have a similar, milder diagnosis. 13mm overjet. (About 8 teeth that don't touch.) I don't have any pathological symptoms yet, and I may never get any, but I have considered the braces and surgery. Right now I have good insurance. It would probably cover 60 to 75% of the cost. The braces seem doable. It's the general anesthetic, short hospital stay, and surgery recovery that concerns me. I was under once for wisdom teeth so I know I'll probably survive. But I remember the aching of the stitches for a couple weeks afterward, and being completely dependent on someone (my mom, at that point) to keep me fed, watered, wound-dressed, and drugged for the better part of the first week. This is about the only flaw in my looks, too. The orthodontists, their assistants, and some professionals who do not stand to make any money from this all claim I'll need a stick to beat the women back if I get this done. They also mentioned I would temporarily lose feeling in my chin, and I might permanently lose feeling in my chin and even nose or cheeks. I first put it off because I was scared. Then later because I realized I don't need perfect looks to get women. (And it wouldn't make a difference with the women I want most [vs. the "temps"].) Now I'm still scared, and I'd have to quit jumping for some time! -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #6 June 25, 2004 From what you describe about your teeth, I would highly recommend it. Who gives a shit if you are an adult with braces. It is a fact that if you get your teeth and your bite straightened out, it will save you a lot of dental problems in the future. And the bonus is a great smile that you can be proud of. Good luck, _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluskidave 0 #7 June 25, 2004 I'd advise that you get it done because TMJ joint replacements are still off in the future.The oral surgeons in Texas are probably the best trained in the world and I say that without prejudice.You will take two steps backwards before you go forward but the end result will be very gratifying.I have several patients that have undergone these procedures and they don't regret it one bit. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScratchTX 0 #8 June 25, 2004 Damn, no one is saying anything to support the half of me that is arguing against doing it... :>) So much money, so much medical care, so much time... I know I'd be happy when it's all done, though. It's just hard to change course and think seriously about this when for 45 years (well I guess only about 30-35) I've been just living with these teeth, no big deal. (Dave, pm-ing you with question about Drs. in this area) --Scratch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chaoskitty 0 #9 June 25, 2004 Did I mention the pain? OHHHHH the PAIN!!!! And the swelling? the BLOOD!!!!! (its not that bad..) Oh yah, and your friends will make fun of you while you are swollen up with an extra face and cant talk with your jaws wired shut. The only fun part is that you can say anything you want because nobody can understand you. My dad was the only one who had a clue what I was saying. Your "good" friends will bring you mass quantites of milkshakes, though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydivnQT 0 #10 June 25, 2004 I had jaw reconstrutive surgury when I was a senior in high school. I had had braces for 3 years prior to this, got them off, and lo and behold--my bite was still not normal. Surgury was the last option. They put braces back on a year prior to surgury, plus extracted 2 wisdom teeth I had remaining about 6 months prior. They also cut the bone in my chin and moved that forward as well. Because of my previous bite, it looked like I didn't have a chin, especially after they moved my jaw into the right place. I had to spend 1 night in the hospital. That was the worst night of it all just because I got sick from the anesthesia. They didn't wire my jaw shut....just put very thick rubber bands on the braces. I was on a liquid diet for a few days and then mostly liquid/soft foods for about a week. Swelling wasn't too bad. It was noticable but not as bad as I thought it would be. Pain wasn't too awful bad either.....just Aleve for pain and swelling was enough for me. The most frustrating part for me was the bandage on my chin. That came off before it was supposed to after about a week. Braces came off within the next year and all was well thereafter. All in all, I am very pleased that I went through with the procedure. Not really sure about insurance. I'm pretty sure most of the jaw part was covered, but none of the chin part due to it being considered cosmetic. Good luck in your decision! Susan If both chutes fail......track for your rigger! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites FallinWoman 1 #11 June 25, 2004 I had my underbite corrected when I was 15. The most amazing part to me was all the things that I could eat normally after it was all over. I never even realized that I had trouble eating ribs, corn on the cob and pizza. Just being able to bite with your front teeth is something you will be astounded by how often you find yourself doing it once you actually can!!! I was super swollen for several weeks. They did not have to wire my jaws shut, but I was on a liquid diet for 6 or 8 weeks. Mashed bananas were my diet, mostly! I encourage you to go for it. I think you will find it all worth it in the end! ~Anne I'm a Doll!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
SkydivnQT 0 #10 June 25, 2004 I had jaw reconstrutive surgury when I was a senior in high school. I had had braces for 3 years prior to this, got them off, and lo and behold--my bite was still not normal. Surgury was the last option. They put braces back on a year prior to surgury, plus extracted 2 wisdom teeth I had remaining about 6 months prior. They also cut the bone in my chin and moved that forward as well. Because of my previous bite, it looked like I didn't have a chin, especially after they moved my jaw into the right place. I had to spend 1 night in the hospital. That was the worst night of it all just because I got sick from the anesthesia. They didn't wire my jaw shut....just put very thick rubber bands on the braces. I was on a liquid diet for a few days and then mostly liquid/soft foods for about a week. Swelling wasn't too bad. It was noticable but not as bad as I thought it would be. Pain wasn't too awful bad either.....just Aleve for pain and swelling was enough for me. The most frustrating part for me was the bandage on my chin. That came off before it was supposed to after about a week. Braces came off within the next year and all was well thereafter. All in all, I am very pleased that I went through with the procedure. Not really sure about insurance. I'm pretty sure most of the jaw part was covered, but none of the chin part due to it being considered cosmetic. Good luck in your decision! Susan If both chutes fail......track for your rigger! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallinWoman 1 #11 June 25, 2004 I had my underbite corrected when I was 15. The most amazing part to me was all the things that I could eat normally after it was all over. I never even realized that I had trouble eating ribs, corn on the cob and pizza. Just being able to bite with your front teeth is something you will be astounded by how often you find yourself doing it once you actually can!!! I was super swollen for several weeks. They did not have to wire my jaws shut, but I was on a liquid diet for 6 or 8 weeks. Mashed bananas were my diet, mostly! I encourage you to go for it. I think you will find it all worth it in the end! ~Anne I'm a Doll!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
