Can SARPE alone fix an overbite?

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#1 Post by **tdawg7669** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:12 pm

I had an appointment with my OS today. My first step to ending my bite problems. So he tells me I have a crossbite which I knew but he confirmed. He also confirmed I had an overbite when I asked him about it. He said that I would need SARPE and referred me to an ortho because my upper palate is narrow(something I never noticed until now, but using the finger width test, tis true I have one really fricking narrow palate).

Now this all make sense as it would fix the crossbite. However he told me that SARPE along with braces might be all I need to fix my bite. He did say additionally surgery may be necessary and that he couldnt promise or guarantee anything but he was optimistic that it was worth a shot to simply try SARPE and see how it goes as I am going to need it regardless.

But after thinking about it, how could expanding my upper palate fix the overbite? If anything I would think it would make it worse. Is there something I am missing, or does what he say make sense?

I wish I would have thought of this question while I was there as he was very nice and helpful. Alas, midterms week means no sleep for me and my wits were not about me.

#2 Post by **chicago29** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:35 pm

Are you sure you have an overbite versus an overjet? I'm not sure if SARPE can fix an overbite. I tend to think it couldn't, but I'm also not an orthodontist or an oral surgeon.

I can say that SARPE can correct an overjet, however. My overjet was 12mm prior to treatment, and now the overjet is completely gone.

I know it is hard to visualize, but look at it this way. Typically, those that have narrow palates have their teeth appear in the shape of a "V". After SARPE, your upper jaw is expanded, and that "V" turns into a "U". The teeth end up "moving inwards". Basically, the point of the "V" is pushed in to form a "U".

Good luck to you and hopefully all that you need is a SARPE.

-Chicago29

#3 Post by **tdawg7669** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:45 pm

by overbite I mean my front top teeth are further than my lower teeth. I dont know if it is an overbite or overjet. I also have lip incompetence due to it.

Ill see what the orthodontist says, but when I think about it, right now it appears to me that my lower jaw grew in weird, and is a little asymmetrical and too far back in comparison to my upper jaw.

Of course that may change after SARPE which it is obvious I need. I trust the doctors, as they are pros I just cant visualize my problem being fixed without actually moving the jaw.

#4 Post by **tdawg7669** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:51 pm

To further illustrate what I am speaking of, my overbite/overjet is on a horizontal not vertical level.

#5 Post by **chicago29** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:45 pm

Sounds like an overjet. SARPE should be able to correct it. Only your orthodontist can predict accurately whether it will fix it completely without the need for further surgery.

#6 Post by **kahootz** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:48 pm

chicago29 wrote:Sounds like an overjet. SARPE should be able to correct it. Only your orthodontist can predict accurately whether it will fix it completely without the need for further surgery.

I think maybe chigago29 meant only your "Oral Surgeon" can predict this, not your orthodontist. Also, I would definitely recommend getting a second opinion from another OS, just to make sure you are headed in the right direction. Good luck!

#7 Post by **chicago29** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:17 pm

I actually meant the orthodontist. They are the ones that typically do the measurements for expansion surgeries. They take the proper records to make the expanders, and the expander is precisely made to expand (i.e., max out) to whatever the orthodontist requires. There is a proper name for these measurements but the name escapes me.

I'm sure different practitioners do things differently, but generally speaking from my experience for a SARPE the OS only does the surgery itself. The planning, expansion, and stabilization is handled by the orthodontist.

Again, there is no "right way" here. If you ensure you pick doctors that plan and work together, you'll be fine.

Best of luck!

-Chicago29

#8 Post by **tdawg7669** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:49 pm

yea my ortho and OS are across the street from each other and work together a lot, I am seeing the Ortho tuesday and I feel good that I have 2 guys who work together.

On a less important and slightly more vain note. Do you think the profile view look a little better as a result? And will lip competence improve? MY lip incompetence now is slight. IM thinking if the tip of the V goes in a bit my upper lip might have that extra bit of room touch my lower.

Also I have those bags under my eyes most people with a narrow upper arch have,will that improve?

#9 Post by **tdawg7669** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:17 am

For clarification, I want this work done primarily for functional reasons, however it is a fairly long process regardless of what happens, and I want everything to be perfect when its done. That includes aesthethics. I think I have long face syndrome, I have lip incompetence a gummy smile and a slightly asymmetrical jaw, bags under my eyes. This results in a lifeless zombie like expression, that I can manage by contorting my face when I am in public but it gets very tiring and it is no way for me to live my life. In the past I thought I was simply born this way, but after researching the cause of my TMJ pain, it all makes sense now. In fact the reason why I am getting pain is probably because I am stressing my face 24/7 to compensate.

Any advice on how to word this to the ortho and OS the next time I see them without coming across as wanting this purely for cosmetic reasons? I need insurance to cover this.