Face change and pain

Message

#1 Post by **tommy1269** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:44 pm

I have read a series of post here and I've noticed that some have had been informed of possible changes to ones smile and face shape. My orthodontist never advised me of this and I am upset. My face has changed shape. My face is fuller/fatter, wider and my jaw is predominant. I had an nice narrow face and now I have block. I feel like Shrek!

I am also in pain. It feels like my jaw is separating from my face.
I have had a popping noise when I open my mouth now and then prior to ortho treatment and now I get it more so than ever. Also, the point where the jaw bone makes a popping sound, my jaw bone is completely sticks out of socket and it will protrude out and move around, when I open my mouth. I am swelled up below my ear and in the majority area of my face and neck.

I have been in orhto treatment since Feb '08 and my pain in my face developed around December. I had a premolar tooth that was at an angle in my lower right and the orthodontist straightened it. They were suprised that the tooth straightened out so fast. I feel my tooth moved too fast and/or they did not create enough space for the tooth to get vertical. When this was happening, the 2 molars were being pushed towards the back of my mouth by my angeld tooth, and this was very painful and the pain in my face as persisted since.

I told my orthodontist this and they suspended my next phase of treatment which was to put a rubber band on the right side of my mouth. I saw several doctors to see what my problem is and a maxillofacial doctor said that my mouth is moving so this pain is going to persist. I told my orthodontist this and depsite the pain in my face, they proceeded to put the rubber band in my mouth. I am confused. They stopped the phase due to the pain and yet they continue later even though I still have pain. I discontinued the rubber band on my own because I have more pain in my face. I feel pain in on the left side of my face as well now. It's not pain that occurs when bands are tightened. I feel like Mike Tyson hit me in December. My eyes tear up and my face feels like my muscles are slowing tearing apart.

My orthodontist does not seem to understand what I am going through and I am at a loss on what to do. I am pissed. My face shape has changed and my jaw and face has been in serious non-ending pain since December. I don't think I should have been fitted with braces, or it seems I should have been fitted after jaw correction or something. I don't know what to do?

#2 Post by **katiekate** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:32 pm

wow! that pain sounds horrible tommy! you poor thing...

have you been to see another Ortho or have you just been seeing the same one all along?

I think I'd be getting a few different opinions if I were you - sounds like your current Ortho isnt really taking your complaints seriously...

As for the face changing thing, the only reason my Ortho talked about it was because I asked, otherwise I dont think he would have said much...

Sorry you are feeling so crap right now, hopefully you find a solution soon to alleviate the pain...

#3 Post by **dugsmom** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:24 am

Sorry to hear you're having a bad time. Hopefully things will get better.

As for facial changes, I've experienced the same thing. Except my face has thinned out so much that I look skeletal. It's horrible and I am hoping that once I am out of braces, my face will plump up a bit.

#4 Post by **dugsmom** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:25 am

Sorry to hear you're having a bad time. Hopefully things will get better.

As for facial changes, I've experienced the same thing. Except my face has thinned out so much that I look skeletal. It's horrible and I am hoping that once I am out of braces, my face will plump up a bit.

#5 Post by **dugsmom** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:26 am

Ooops sorry about the double post...I got an error message the first time I tried to submit so I went back and submitted my reply again. Ended up double posting

#6 Post by **Jewles** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:47 am

The pain of braces is horrible but it does go away! there have been several times in my treatment where the pain has been so bad ive had to stick with a liquid diet but it will get better if you stick it out! Ide say the ortho put the elastic in despite your pain to try and continue your treatment, because it seems like where you stopped treatment is going to continue being painful until your teeth have moved into their new spots.

Did you do your own research to find out about braces before getting them on? I think the pain and the facial changes are just part of the treatment, and all of the research i did before getting the braces told me to expect it so i just try and deal with it and keep counting down the days till i can get them off

#7 Post by **theKurp** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:51 am

With regards to facial or profile changes, I think it falls into two categories:

Intentional and consequential.

Some orthodontists are primarily concerned with occlusion and alignment and will work toward that goal while viewing any aesthetic changes to the face/profile as a side-effect.

Other orthodontists take a more holistic (not to be confused with alternative) view toward orthodontics and seek to improve (or at least not negatively affect) facial aesthetics as part of an overall treatment plan.

I think the distinction is important when one is interviewing and getting estimates from orthodontists prior to undergoing treatment.

#8 Post by **I love my teeth** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:00 am

I don't really notice any facial changes, but others have.....my mom, who hasn't seen me since I got them on, but has seen pics and skype--says my face is longer and thinner?? so, far no drastic changes, that I am upset about, I am more interested in how it will all play out once the treatment is done.

I also have lost at least 8pounds since having them put on, so I assume that contributes to the changes as well.

#9 Post by **sarahlynn** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:25 am

I love my teeth wrote: I also have lost at least 8pounds since having them put on, so I assume that contributes to the changes as well.

Same here, I've lost probably 7-8 pounds from eating smaller portions, snacking WAY less, and not being able to eat exactly what I used to love to eat. So I bet that any facial changes will be pronounced on people who lose weight from this torture of not eating everything we used to

#10 Post by **invertigofreak** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:34 am

Mine told me (in the nicest possible way) that my huge nose might look smaller

I like him.

I can't say i have noticed my nose being smaller yet though

#11 Post by **ellen** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:41 am

Tommy -
the facial changes and pain you have described go far beyond the ordinary discomfort and weight loss associated with braces. If your ortho won't do anything to alleviate your concerns, go to another ortho stat for a consult.

Ellen