Staring Wilckodontics in the face and shaking in my boots

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#1 Post by **FracturedJack** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:50 pm

Howdy,

I'm the current newbie on the block. Ran across the forum trying to find info on wilckodontics. I was feeling pretty confident about the procedure until I read the info here. Now I'm not so sure. I've had too many surgeries to count and am not looking forward to having any more but that is the way the docs I've seen are leaning.

Recap - born with cleft lip and palate, had significant reconstructive surgery multiple times. Most recent was a Laforte transfer in 2000. Unfortunately the cross-bite that was supposed to be corrected came back when I quite wearing my retainer three years later. Now I will be losing a cuspid due to resorption and have a loose incisor (both suffer from being pushed outward by the lower teeth they come in contact with).

I was told I need to have the top left teeth moved (or angled outward) to correct the cross-bite sufficiently to keep the planned implants from suffering from the same shear forces my cuspid and incisor are currently experiencing. So in comes Wilckodontics to save me from another Laforte transfer. Only now I am reading about the pain associated with the procedure. Not sure if I can or want to undergo that level of pain again.

#2 Post by **chicago29** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 1:46 pm

Are your doctors saying you have a choice - Wilckodontics vs a LeFort?

I'd seriously consider the LeFort. I assume you'd just need a SARPE or something to fix the crossbite if that's your only issue outside of tooth alignment.

Wilckodontics sounds awful to me and personally I don't trust any of those "new wave" orthodontic procedures - especially one as invasive as this. I'm sure they've been documented to work in some patients, but I don't see the benefit.

A LeFort is very standard and the recovery is perhaps a month. I'd be willing to bet the pain from wilckodontics is worse.

#3 Post by **FracturedJack** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:36 pm

The oral surgeon I was referred to was thinking another LeForte. He referred me to an orthodontist who then brought up Wilckodontics and referred me to a dentist. None of them mentioned SARPE so I will need to do some research on that one. Thanks for mentioning it.

Funny thing on the history - referred from my primary dentist to a periodontist who then referred me to a prostodontist who then referred me to the oral surgeon mentioned above and the chain continued with the additional referrals listed.

The concern with another LeForte is the scarring I already have. There is basically no gum tissue where the #8 tooth should be and the gum is receding on #9, which will have to be removed since it is suffering from significant resorbption. They all said I would also need to wear a retainer for the rest of my life, which is not something I'm looking forward to.

#4 Post by **FracturedJack** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:39 pm

Forgot to mention that the oral surgeon is also concerned that the LeForte would relapse back into the same position the bone currently is in since it has happened in the past (post the first surgery). I think that may be why he is leaning in the direction of wilckodontics.

#5 Post by **chicago29** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:24 pm

I'd get another opinion from another oral surgeon to see what they say.

I am sure the concerns you listed are valid, but a LeFort shouldn't relapse if it is done correctly. And, wearing a retainer or not wearing one might cause teeth to relapse, but it shouldn't have any bearing on the jaw structure.

I too will be in a permanent retainer when I'm done with all of this. That's a very small price to pay for the results, I think. I wouldn't worry about that at all...

Best of luck, and please keep us posted. I'm interested in hearing how you proceed.

Regards
Chicago29

#6 Post by **FracturedJack** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 4:05 am

Overall, I don't feel the need for surgery to clean up my smile. This is all snowballing from looking at a loose upper front incisor which is being pushed forward by the lower incisor and the upper cuspid which is being pushed backwards by the lower teeth. i may end up just telling them to come up with a less invasive option. Not sure SARPE is what I need - if the upper left teeth were not rotated inward then this issue may not be as severe as the docs are making it out to be: the right side of my upper jaw is placed decently. Oh, the joy of birth defects.

I have a treatment plan appt with the wilcko dentist in a couple of weeks. Right now I am looking at it as an opportunity for the dentist to explain why it is needed and what other options exist. I am also looking for other specialists so I can come up with possible alternatives.

The problem with a permanent retainer is that I know myself - I am concerned I will decide I don't want to wear it, will quit wearing it, and then lose all the work that went into my face to begin with. (This sequence has already happened at least once.

)

Will keep posting as things progress.

#7 Post by **chicago29** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 5:28 am

FYI, you have no choice on the permanent retainer. You can't remove it. It is bonded to the back of the teeth.

Sure you could always have your orthodontist do it, but google "permanent retainer" and you'll see it is really just a single wire across the teeth. No biggie...

Best of luck to you!

-Chicago29

#8 Post by **Broadway Bill** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:10 am

I'm actually hoping for a permanent retainer at the end of my treatment. Not only does it ensure that the retainer is used, but they actually seem less invasive and more comfortable than a removable retainer.

I would also really look closely at SARPE. The Wilckodontics stuff looks interesting, but I'm always skeptical of newer procedures. It would be ideal if you could consult a doctor who does SARPE and Wilckodontics and get his or her opinion.

Either way, good luck!

#9 Post by **FracturedJack** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:11 am

I misused the word. Sorry. The docs said I would have to wear a retainer at night for the rest of my life - removable as a fixture but permanent as being a part of my life. Sorry for any confusion.