My teeth are straight after 3 years of wearing braces. They're coming off in a few weeks, followed by a retainer. But.....im self conscious about the gap of my overgrown bottom jaw. Is there a way this can be fixed? I don't want to have surgery. Is there a device i can wear at night or something. My jaw won't stop popping if I jerk it but I want to get a second opinion once I can afford to.
2006-08-27 03:09:30 · 7 answers · asked by axelf57 1 in Health ➔ Dental
I had some jaw adjustmnt that meant removal of some bone. The end result was a lot of money spent and a clicking jaw that gives me constant headaches. You need to check all the pros and cons before submitting to a radical procedure. It's your life.
2006-08-31 00:05:56 · answer #1 · answered by Calvin of China, PhD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, your treatment was incorrect from the beginning. Cephalometric x-rays taken by the orthodontist can tell if an underbite is dental (tooth alignment problem) or skeletal (too much lower jaw bone). This is easliy determined before treatment begins. If it is a dental problem - then all that is needed is orthodontic treatment. If it is a skeletal problem, then surgery is the only treatment that can give you a good result. Orthodontics alone will not work and often creates a "rat bite" where the teeth are angled inwards. When doing this type of case, the orthodontics are done first, but actually flare the teeth out more, in anticipation of where the jaws will be after the surgery, so the fit properly. To correct your problem, you would first have to have the orthodontics reversed, then surgery. I am very surprised that your orthodontist failed to diagnose this properly and more surprised that he did not refer you for a surgical consult. The standard of care requires that if you have a skeletal problem that the orthodontist refer you to a surgeon for consultation, even if you don't want surgery. If you want to proceed with orthodontics anyway, it is with the understanding that the case will be compromised and that you not get an optimum result.
As far as your jaw popping. This is probably related to the lower jaw problem. If you didn't have a large underbite (prognathic mandible) you may be able to treat it with a bite appliance.
For long term result of your bite, esthetics, and jaw popping, I would absolutely recommend that you consult an oral & maxillofacial surgeon that does orthognathic surgery. Good luck to you.
2006-08-27 05:24:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming that your orthodontist suggested the surgery but you don't want to go through with it because you are worried about the procedure and the results or it's not financially possible at this time. The idea of someone cutting a piece out of your jaw and wiring your mouth shut for weeks is a very scary thought I'm sure. Plus it is quite costly.
I'm assuming you have tried the rubber bands and headgear. There's a positioner that can help a little, but if the underbite is as "massive" as you let on, then surgery is probably your only option.
Go ahead and have the surgery before the braces come off because they have to be on to have the surgery. Do you really want to pay to have them placed again?!
I do want to add that my mother had this surgery done almost 20 years ago and I can honestly tell you that she has never regretted it.
2006-08-27 14:17:30 · answer #3 · answered by April 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter had jaw surgery and the results are totally amazing. Her lower jaw was more forward than her upper. She had no problems with the surgery. I think you should listen to the oral surgeon who posted on this site. Orthodontics and the jaw surgery go hand in hand. Once the orthodontist had my daughter's teeth aligned just right then she only had to wear her braces for 6 months more and she was finished.
2006-08-27 09:36:14 · answer #4 · answered by Skeeter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your orthodontist what the measurement of your underbite was before he or she started your case. Then ask them to tell you what it has adjusted to in the course of your treatment. A good orthodontist will be able (and willing ) to tell you. Voice your concern to the orthodontist- there may be a device you could wear at night to help with it. I had braces and I had to put rubber bands in a certain place at night for 2 months to adjust mine.
2006-08-27 03:18:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your teeth are now properly aligned, readjusting your jaw bone will only destroy all the work done from wearing braces! You would have to go through braces all over again!
2006-08-27 03:17:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say to go with braces and not with surgery. Good luck.
2006-08-27 03:18:16 · answer #7 · answered by Helper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋