Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi,

I am now 21 and have been visiting my orthodontist for the last 7 years. As a result of my crooked jaw I had a lot of complications when it came to my orthodontic treatment. I have had my braces taken off for around 6 months now and my treatment is basically over, I have an appointment in 2 months or so just to make sure everything is ok.

When I was getting treatment, I was given an option between having braces fitted and getting veneers put in to make my teeth look as good as possible despite my jaw problem. I chose this option over having jaw surgery since my outer appearance is not hugely affected by my jaw (my jaw hangs lower on the right side, but no obvious over/underjet).

However I am not terribly happy with how things are:
- I have all the TMJ symptons such as jaw clicking, jaw opening to one side, headaches etc.
- Recently I have developed almost permanent ear pressure which is incredibly annoying
- My appearance in photos always makes me feel upset as in some of them my crooked jaw is very noticable. I have very low self esteem (never had a girlfriend etc.) and this makes things worse

I am therefore seriously considering jaw surgery and I have a couple of questions I would like to ask:

1) I have had orthodontic treatment to make my teeth look as normal as possible without jaw surgery.. Does this mean if I do go for it I will have to have the maximum duration for wearing braces to put them back to where they were?
2) I am living in the UK, who should I be speaking with to discuss jaw surgery? I'm not too keen on consulting my current orthodontist, as he has spent the last 7 years to reach the stage I am at now. I would also like a fresh take on the situation.
3) How much would it cost? I heard it will be free if I *need* it, but I am not sure it is that severe.

Thanks!

I have very similar issues. I'm having surgery later on this month so I'll be able to give you an idea of what to expect regarding asymmetry and TMJ issues.

[quote="Marisama"]I have very similar issues. I'm having surgery later on this month so I'll be able to give you an idea of what to expect regarding asymmetry and TMJ issues.[/quote]

wow good luck with the surgery! I read through your blog and it would appear your condition is fairly similar to mine. I dread the thought of wearing braces again just to undo all my orthodontic work but I would rather suffer for a bit and look forward to a better mouth than spend the rest of my life thinking about my jaw. I was surprised at how short your braces period was at 6 months!

But you did mention initially consulting many oral surgeons which makes me a bit nervous, as being located in the UK I am most likely limited in choice.

Thanks for wishing me luck.

I am very much against government healthcare. I feel bad for people that are not free to choose a doctor. If I would have gone to the first surgeon I consulted with, I'm sure I'd have miserable results, as he only indicated lower jaw surgery even though I have asymmetry in my upper jaw as well.

I don't think you should worry about starting braces over. You have to think of it as a sunk cost.

I don't want to start an argument, but please be sensitive to those who rely on governmental health care for the treatment they need. And keep in mind, there is still private insurance in the UK. If a person want's treatment above and beyond the NHS, they can pay for it, just like we would here if we want extra special insurance coverage.

In any case, the only reason I'm engaging in this discussion is because I feel that these negative comments about governmental healthcare are potentially offensive to people who would have received zero treatment if it weren't for the NHS.

I should be censored for speaking my opinion about policy? No thanks.

Hi there,

I am in the UK and undergoing treatment on the NHS. I would speak to your GP or dentist and ask for a referral to the oral surgery department at the hospital. The orthodontists and surgeons there will be able to assess you and go through your options with you. The only issue with the NHS is time. Other than waiting forever, I've had top class treatment, all free at point of care.

It does sound like you'll need orthodontics to put your teeth back to where they were pretty much. My overbite has got a lot worse since before I had braces, and none of my teeth meet now. But then after surgery, all will be in place.

Good luck

helen x

[quote="HelenUK"]Hi there,

I am in the UK and undergoing treatment on the NHS. I would speak to your GP or dentist and ask for a referral to the oral surgery department at the hospital. The orthodontists and surgeons there will be able to assess you and go through your options with you. The only issue with the NHS is time. Other than waiting forever, I've had top class treatment, all free at point of care.

It does sound like you'll need orthodontics to put your teeth back to where they were pretty much. My overbite has got a lot worse since before I had braces, and none of my teeth meet now. But then after surgery, all will be in place.

Good luck

helen x[/quote]

grrr, really don't want to have to go through braces again! Your sig says you've had pre-op braces for 2 years and 7 months, is that normal or are there reasons for it being so long? I'm a bit anxious about my bite returning to what it was pre-braces, it's pretty bad now but it was really bad before.. How long have you been in the state where your teeth are not meeting?

2 years 7 months is not normal. i've been ready for surgery since about march, so 9 months, but due to the NHS surgeon also treating emergency cancer patients, i've had to wait and been cancelled 3 times for surgery. My teeth and bite have never met very well, but have got gradually worse since the braces were put on. This process is long and difficult, and an immense amount of patience and tolerance is required. If you're not sure you can cope, i don't know if you will. Saying that, the regret of not doing it and the anticipation of it all being finished outweighs all that for me.

ah I see. I do think I am prepared to have the patience and wait for surgery since I have already endured 8 years of treatment if I can expect positive results, as I think I too would regret not doing it if I leave it longer. Thanks for the informative response

@devildriver1

I am also in the UK having orthodontic treatment on the NHS (for double jaw surgery and genioplasty for a very large underbite).
I have only just joined Archwired (hence the late post!).

This is my second time in braces (I'm 28 now) I had them as a teenager but my parents refused the offer of corrective jaw surgery because of the risk (I think it was much riskier 10 years ago), so like you, they just disguised the problem.

I think the need for surgery vastly outweighs the nuisance of the bite becoming much worse. I also have bad TMJ problems and ear problems (which I hope will be corrected after surgery).
For me, I was referred by my dentist when i visited her with agonising jaw pain, on August 2009, fitted with braces September 2011 and now 16 months on my bite is so bad I can bite down and still stick my tongue out! (Very embarrassing as well as so difficult to eat and drink). I still do not have a day for surgery, I was told last November it may be around April/may his year, but I'm not so sure about that now.

Can you let us know what you decided?

Hey guys,

Everyone in here seems to have had braces on for ages. I'm nearly on two years now and have a meeting with my surgeon on the 28th of this month.

I'm worried that i will also get my op date canceled etc as mentioned above. I'm planning my work and living arrangements around this.
My ortho said there was a waiting list of around a month for surgery so i'm planning for it to be in April.

Where is everyone based?

Can't wait to get it over with now. I like to think it will be worth it but only time will tell!


(a bit about me: 25, female, northwest uk, freelance work in media)

I'm not sure if I'm too late for this but I'm also in the UK and would recommend going back to your dentist for a discussion on your next move. It may be that you need to stick with your current orthodontist but it's worth having the conversation.

Ps. The NHS is a wonderful thing.