Some news ...

Message

#1 Post by **Clo** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:03 am

Hi all,

I have been "away" for some time here, but now I have some news.
Well, I finally had the opportunity to see the oral surgeon. To talk about my case
in general and about my orthodontic history, open bite and class 2 bite in particular.
He was convinced I was a biomechanics engineer. So, the level of our conversation
was ... pretty high. I did not say I am an engineer in electronics who just happens
to frequent one of the best orthodontic sites in the world and knows a bit how to
google. Well, not in the beginning. At the end I said this. I think he was impressed
about my knowledge ...

Anyway. He too is convinced that my former treatments were not exactly ... the best
ones possible. Eh, I am very mild today. He made me bite down and inspected my
moulds made when my braces were removed, now about 6 months ago. He said
he can very well understand why I am not satisfied now. Only my left first molars
touch, and even these do not occlude, only touch. He said exactly what I said when
my braces were removed. Then I had a nice upper arch and lower arch. But it was
like they were from 2 different persons. They did not fit at all. I am sure if I stop
this talk now, go out and "steal" the lower jaw from someone, it probably will fit
better than mine. And this is caused mainly by bad treatment.

He thinks it can only be corrected by upper jaw surgery. Do a posterior impaction
to close my bite and split the upper jaw in segments to create again an occlusion.
I asked if my bite could be closed using bone anchors. As the whole back part of
my upper arch needs to be intruded, it would be very very difficult. It could take
maybe 4 years and the result is not guaranteed. He said I would certainly be a
very interesting showcase for his students if I choose this option (this oral surgeon
is professor at an university). There was some more talking, but in essence this
is the information I got. And the appointment ended without any perspective for the
future. I asked what he advises me to do now. A concrete answer is pending
somewhere, don't know where. Maybe I talk again once more to my orthodontist,
I said. Yeah, you could do that, he said. But he asked to set an appointment
in such a way that he could be there too. So, more waiting and being a bit ... clueless.
Or should I say cloless. Fits me better. I think I will end in some museum, as the
person with the nonexistent occlusion, together with the 3 armed lady and the 6
legged mammals.

Oh, I want to share this too. He quoted a Mexican professor who said once an
occlusion is like virginity. You have it or you don't have it. You can't have just a bit
of this. Made me think about this. If you lost your virginity, then you never can get
it back. So, does that mean that I will never be able to get my occlusion back ? Then
what is he still doing as an oral surgeon, I thought. Of course I did not tell him that.
Or it could become a quote from a famous patient named Clo, which gave him a good
laugh, or it could make him throw me on the street ...

#2 Post by **Delag** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:35 am

It does sound promising Clo!

I asked what he advises me to do now. A concrete answer is pending
somewhere, don't know where

I wouldn't be surprised if he is reluctant to push surgery on you just because of all you have been through. In other words, he doesn't want to feel he is pressuring you. I would take this as a good sign. The surgeon I have chosen for my 3 pc. Lefort is like this as well. He said, ' this is what I can do for you', and kind of left it at that.

#3 Post by **Rickysa** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:04 am

Clo,

Will he do the surgery for you?

Dr. S

#4 Post by **Lisa65** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:18 am

Clo, it sounds like a little light at the end of the tunnel. At least he didn't say that nothing could be done for you. Perhaps like Delag says, he is giving you time to think about what YOU want rather than pushing his opinions onto you.

Regarding occlusion - I believe it is possible these days to have one's virginity surgically restored, and with modern oral surgery occlusion can be restored too. Just because you've lost it doesn't mean you can never get it back.

Sending positive vibes your way.

Lisa xx

#5 Post by **Clo** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:01 am

Hi Dr. S,

I did pm you about this.

#6 Post by **Jillianleab** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:56 am

Well, Clo, you're post says "news" not "good news" or "bad news" and I think that's correct - just "news"!

I agree with what others have said in that perhaps he's trying to let you make your own decision without putting too much pressure on you. In the end, it's your mouth, your money and your decision. On the bright side, it does seem as though he can help you; at least somewhat.

I wish you all the luck in the world... keep us posted!

#7 Post by **iBorg** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:31 pm

The fact he spent time talking to you instead of running away is a GREAT sign. I also appreciate the fact that he wanted to be with you and the orthodontist when you meet to discuss your case.

We're hoping this is a sign of good things coming your way.

Mike

#8 Post by **smile2006** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:51 pm

Clo- Would tend to agree with the need for upper jaw surgery to close the open bite. You know our cases are similar and this worked for me. I also want to mention that impacting the molars may even be necessary with surgery. The biggest reason I still have my braces is getting the molars into the right position. The very back ones ended up high and needed to come down while the others were too far down and needed to be impacted (due to years of an open bite the molars naturally come down). However, as my ortho continues to tweak things I'm slowly feeling a correct bite coming into position. So I might disagree that a bite that is lost can never be found (thank goodness)!!!!

#9 Post by **Clo** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:12 am

I always like to thank those who took the effort to reply. So I do this again.
Thanks. There were some very wise words. They are very much appreciated !

#10 Post by **Caroline** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:15 am

Sounds pretty hopeful to me. My fingers are crossed for a positive outcome!!

#11 Post by **hannah164** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:24 pm

Clo,

So glad to hear from you again! I am glad to hear you have more possible option to fixing your bite. I agree with the others that he may not be pushing the surgery on you and leaving it completely up to you!

Hopefully this will all work out and he can give an occlusion! Keep us updated!

~hAnnah

#12 Post by **Clo** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:02 am

OMG,

thanks for joining hannah164 !
Very pleased to hear from you again !

You are right. I know somewhere in the world there is an occlusion waiting to
be mine. Still looking but I will find it, even if I have to turn over every stone
I see

.

#13 Post by **invisagirl** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:30 am

You know Clo, I honestly think this was a good visit. I mean the surgeon didn't run, talked to you like someone who does know a little about this, and wants to be there when/if you talk to your ortho. I mean this is the most "good" vibes you've gotten from any of your appointments in a long, long time. Hopefully the tide has turned for you!!!

#14 Post by **Chris** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:25 pm

Did the oral surgeon say you would still need the braces after surgery too?
Then I think it is a very good idea that he be present for your appointment with the ortho. You need them BOTH in the room so that a detailed treatment plan can be discussed and you can ask questions and see how they relate together.

Fingers are crossed here for you, Clo !!Good luck! There is always hope. If I could I'd find that compatible lower arch and send it your way!

#15 Post by **Clo** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:37 am

Yes, Meryaten is right.

But I would love to experience things so clearly. As this oral surgeon knew I was
so well informed, he talked about the differences in perception of oral surgeons
and orthodontists. The oral surgeon is more in the camp of seeing things "mechanical".
I mean, what is wrong they operate to get it right. If there is no occlusion, then they
make one. Like a machine that is broken and that they fix. Orthodontists work more
"naturelike". Trying to understand balances of forces of cheeks, tongue, lips, bite. That
is why my present ortho wanted me to wait at least 6 months before starting a new
treatment. She wanted to see settling and maybe my bite would close on its own. The
surgeon camp does not believe my bite would get any better on its own. I had several
discussions about this with my ortho. I was and am still convinced my bite will not get
better without help (braces and/or surgery). These 6 months have passed, and I was
right. My bite didn't improve at all, got even worse. So I was right. So that makes me
be more in the camp of the oral surgeon. Ok, that is great. But I do not want to be a
part in a global "battle" between oral surgeons and orthodontists.
Add to this the possible orthodontic treatments with their pros and cons, and you may
understand that my experiences are ... not simple.