Problems chewing in prep for surgery

[Lala082008]

I've had Invisalign for a year and am meeting with my Ortho next week to discuss my progress. His previous estimate was I'll be ready for a BSSO in the summer or winter of this year.

Over the past year, it's gotten much harder to chew and my bite is really off now. I can't chew leafy things or tough things almost at all. My teeth only touch in one tiny spot on each side. I had assumed this is normal since I've heard an overbite has to get worse before surgery, but now I'm wondering about that. Have others had this experience?

[jaime]

Totally normal. If your bite was perfect when your teeth were aligned, you wouldn't need jaw surgery.

[sirwired]

The whole point of pre-surgical ortho is to put your teeth into the position they'll need to be after surgery. This process is called "de-compensating" your bite. In essence, your teeth used to be in a position to work around your improper jaw shape, and it's necessary to to reverse this process. That way, during the surgery the surgeon just has to slide things into a "natural" bite instead of "free-handing" the necessary movements.

You'll find that after the surgery is over, your teeth will line up the best they ever have in your life.

[Lala082008]

I can't wait! The only complicating factor is that I'm also trying to get pregnant, and if I do I'll have to put the surgery off for at least an extra year. I'm worried my bite will be way off and I won't be able to eat normal food for a long time!

Also just wanted to say I'm so glad this website is here. Last night I was really freaking myself out about the surgery, but after reading people's posts and seeing before and after pictures I'm feeling better.