Corrective Jaw Surgery?

Question

I was told about a year and a half ago that I needed my lower jaw moved forward to correct the bite. I have had braces for the last year and today I have been back to the hospital to see the surgeon. I was then told that I need to have my upper jaw moved higher. I was a bit taken back by this and now have loads of questions to ask! Does anybody know about this type of surgery or have a personal experience of this. I just really want to know what the procedure is and the recovery time. Also does anyone know how long I would be off of work or sports, (I am a vet nurse and a horse rider) Thanks to everyone who answers. All answers very much appreciated.

Answer 1

First, I am a horse rider too! My best friend is a Quarter Horse!
Second, to answer your question:
Jaw joints are very sensitive things. Small movements can really make a huge difference. The anatomy behind the jaw is a must to understand before you can really understand the problem or he surgery. If your dentist has not explained how the jaw works, and shown you a diagram or model, then I would be careful from the beginning. A good dentist will always educate the patient so you can make an informed decision about the procedure options.
There are usually more ways than just surgery to deal with a jaw problem. If it is the disk that is displaced, then a posterior pivot splint can re-position the jaw, and braces can move the teeth to the new position (after the jaw has been re-positioned).
There are two main groups of orthodontists who have totally different treatment styles and opinions. The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) and the International Association of Orthodontics (IAO). They are as different as any two groups could possibly be! The AAO groups usually just straighten teeth with braces and give little attention to the jaw joint itself. The IAO addresses all areas of the face, jaw, and uses braces to accomplish a well rounded result. Your original braces might have made the teeth straight, but the jaw more compromised (of course without x-rays and an exam, no one on the internet can know for sure!)

I would recommend you get at least 1 or 2 opinions before going forward with treatment. Talk to a few dental professionals in your area, and ask who the best TMJ dentists are in your area. Dentistry is a small world, most everyone knows everyone - and they share some with patients who ask! If you do not know where to go to ask someone, try a local dental supply company.

The procedure is a out-patient procedure. The length of time is both based on how much they have to do and how fast the oral surgeon works. Usually a few hours. The recovery time is usually 3 months of having your jaw wired shut. It is a great diet plan! You can only eat/drink through a straw. After that, it takes a while to rebuild the muscles. You probably should not ride during the first 3 months due to the percussion on the jaw. Grooming, and possibly walking would be ok. Absolutely no trotting or cantering! No impact sports, but walking and low impact things are ok. Working as a vet nurse should be fine. Leave the very active restraining of the animals to someone else.

Good luck - make sure you learn more about the jaw before you decide who to use and what procedure to agree to! I will add a few references for your benefit at the bottom.

Answer 2

Wow I have to have a jaw alignment and it wasn't too bad, I'm having a jaw replacement done and am going to see the consultant in the morning some of the answers seem frightening and I'm am defiantly going to ask LOTS of questions hopefully I may get a date for my op, the clinic I go to is the Maxilio Facial Unit so they are very good my problem originally started with grinding my teeth at night and then a bad dentist doing something wrong. I did find out a lot of info from www.tmj.com its interesting I am worried sick about going in the morning, I will edit my answer if I can if I get any info if not may put it on in some form of a question take care Sorry no news on op it is going to be some time as it is so costly that is why so few are done as a help I'm going in tomorrow full anaesthetic to have the bone injected for pain relief can't do it with not being put to sleep am very scared

Answer 3

I had first TMJ surgery....that stopped the pain and unlocked my jaw......after about 2 years it began clicking a little and went back to my maxofacial surgeon and he said he wanted me to wear braces for 7 months then have the type surgery you are talking about.....so went to the orthdontist and he told me he thought my braces would do enough correction that I could do without the surgery.....thats been over 5 years ago and having no pain in joint and just sometimes have a slight tightening in the joint is all but no pain nor pain pills for it........get the opinion from your orthdontist what he thinks your braces can do so you may can do without the surgery. Just depends on how bad your bite is though I would think

Answer 4

hi there i have had this done to both my upper and lower jaw 14 years ago when i was 16.i had great surgeon and Otho dentist in Bristol was in hospital for one week there is a lot of swelling i had to have my lower jaw pulled back and upper jaw moved forwards.i to was worried about the whole operation sometimes you can ask your surgeon if he has a outpatients he has not long operated on willing to share their experience of this op as i did this for someone else who was about to have the op.i can tell you it is worth having this done because later on in life when we get old and lose our teeth we would not be able to wear dentures as they would not fit propley.you being a vet nurse will understand about drips and ready vack drains you will have 2 either side of you neck draing off blood, these are normaly taken out after a day or so .they look funny i had to carry mine in a bag when needing the toilet sorry if that was to much information.liquidised food is great by mid week try to eat normal food such a laugh. fish mashed patoato is the best to eat .sometimes its hard for people to understand what you are saying that does not last long .
also after op try doing A E I O U it realy helps.i think i had recovered in a couple of months . you will have pins and plates fitted in your jaw which will remain there for life.while i was in hospital i was taught to put little elestac bands on little hooks fitted to brace i had to place it on top to bottom to keep mouth shut you know if you have opened mouth to much when you feel the ping. i dont know about your sutation you might not need bands . your surgeon will be able to tell you more .i wish you all the very best .sorry about bad spelling

Answer 5

This is major surgery. My friend had this done, her whole head was in a large metal frame, her teeth were wired together, all her food was liquidised and she had to drink it through a straw,can't remember the exact time now, but it was weeks.The results were very good though. If you do decide to have the surgery done,good luck it's quite a stressful thing to have done.
Don't mean to put you off, but pre -warned is pre- armed, and horse riding or any sport will be out for a long time.

Answer 6

Seeing as horse riding is a non-contact sport, I wouldn't think that would be affected, neither your ability to work. After the surgery I believe they wire your jaw shut for a while to allow it to adjust. Strange that you need braces AND the surgery, usually its 1 or the other.

Hope that helps

Answer 7

Hello there. It is quite a big procedure. I have seen it done and it will leave you with bruising for a feww weeks, limitations of movement for 6 weeks and can take longer than 6months to heal. You'll probably need 6 weeks off work, 2 months off sport....

PLEASE book in with your surgeon again and discuss this all properly.. he is obliged by law to tell you fully about the procedure before you agree.

for more info please see

http://www.aaoms.org/corrective_jaw.php

Answer 8

it is a venture of Orthognatic Surgeon.better be informed in details from there.dont be scared sharing other experiences