Jaw Surgery Insurance?

[Nate92]

I'd meet with the orthodontist first; he's going to have a better idea of what needs to happen to your bite, and based on that, what he needs the oral surgeon to accomplish to meet your orthodontic goals. (He'll put it in the referral letter.) Most US orthodontists do not charge for the initial consult, but prior to seeing the oral surgeon, you will need "full records" taken (impressions, pictures, a panorex, and P-A and lateral cephalograms), which the ortho will charge you for; mine were $300. (If you later choose a different ortho, you can take most of the records except the models with you.) You take photos and x-rays with you to see the Oral Surgeon.

Okay. I think I will do that first just because the surgeon will obviously charge more for a consultation. The orthodontist I want to see does charge like $84 ,and the other I see, but I don't like as much, is free. Bummer.

But also. The one I want to see wants to give non-surgical expansion a shot. If I wanted surgery would I most likely have to get the palatal expander in, then braces to straighten the teeth, then have surgery, and then braces again to refine? That is so expensive.

[Nate92]

I'd meet with the orthodontist first; he's going to have a better idea of what needs to happen to your bite, and based on that, what he needs the oral surgeon to accomplish to meet your orthodontic goals. (He'll put it in the referral letter.) Most US orthodontists do not charge for the initial consult, but prior to seeing the oral surgeon, you will need "full records" taken (impressions, pictures, a panorex, and P-A and lateral cephalograms), which the ortho will charge you for; mine were $300. (If you later choose a different ortho, you can take most of the records except the models with you.) You take photos and x-rays with you to see the Oral Surgeon.

Thanks for the advice sirwired. That is probably the route I will take.

On another note, I've posted pictures of my retainer. They might give you an idea of the palatal expansion I need. I don't have too narrow of a palate, but definitely leaves room to be desired for. Another thing to note is I doubt I should naturally have a narrow palate, I am from very German ancestry and my family seems to have wide palates. Perhaps what I need done could be done non-surgically? Any recommendations?

Also during palatal expansion through non-surgical means or SARPE, it seems typical that only the top palate is expanded. Will the bottom begin to move to match the new placement of the teeth? Or how does this work? I don't understand.

[sirwired]

Well, I'm no orthodontist, but it appears your teeth in your narrow upper are tilted outwards to match your lowers. If your palate is expanded, part of the treatment will be to rotate your teeth back downwards so they are vertical.

[Nate92]

Well, I'm no orthodontist, but it appears your teeth in your narrow upper are tilted outwards to match your lowers. If your palate is expanded, part of the treatment will be to rotate your teeth back downwards so they are vertical.

Really? I thought they looked straight but I wouldn't know. So my palate is actually more narrow than it looks? Are they titled a lot by your judgement? Great... Oh and will my lower teeth move to match the upper after expansion?

[Nate92]

So I don't think my teeth are tipped out. I think it is more of an optical illusion from how I took the picture. I looked myself in the mirror and they appear straight or close to it.