I had metal braces as a teen, along with: headgear (that I didn't wear enough) to move my top jaw forward and an expander on my top jaw. My lower jaw was never treated.
My orthodontist at the time refused to do anything and insisted on doing orthognathic surgery. I'm still not sure about orthognathic surgery, since my insurance provider will not cover it and it would wipe out my saving or leave me with debt.
Can Invisalign be used to help pull my upper jaw forward to the point where I would have a functional bite?
Answer: Orthognathic surgery best for skeletal problems It depends -- if your top jaw is smaller, or your bottom jaw bigger, you may have a skeletal (not dental) problem. How do you know? Take a photograph of your profile (stand next to a plain wall and take a side-view photo from both sides). Look at the photograph closely. Is your chin farther forward than the skin above your upper lip? If that upper jaw area is set back from your nose and chin, you have a skeletal mis-alignment and orthognathic surgery is best for you. My friends and patients who I have sent for this procedure are nervous on the front end and can not believe how great the improvements are from this procedure. Most say it's the best thing they've ever spent their money on.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Orthognathic surgery best for skeletal problems It depends -- if your top jaw is smaller, or your bottom jaw bigger, you may have a skeletal (not dental) problem. How do you know? Take a photograph of your profile (stand next to a plain wall and take a side-view photo from both sides). Look at the photograph closely. Is your chin farther forward than the skin above your upper lip? If that upper jaw area is set back from your nose and chin, you have a skeletal mis-alignment and orthognathic surgery is best for you. My friends and patients who I have sent for this procedure are nervous on the front end and can not believe how great the improvements are from this procedure. Most say it's the best thing they've ever spent their money on.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: INVISALIGN INSTEAD OF SURGERY In my experience orthognathic surgery is necessary to alter the jaw. To adjust the jaw there is no substitute for orthognathic surgery. Invisalign is a possible alternative to traditional braces in some patients to prepare them for orthognathic surgery. However, in my opinion Invisalign is not able to address any malocclusion caused by a misalignment of your jaw. I recommend continuing to use RealSelf to get additional opinions and advice. If you decide to get a second opinion be sure to research board certified oral maxillofacial surgeons. Then schedule a consultation for a thorough exam because without a physical exam is it almost impossible to give a definitive answer on what procedure would be needed to improve the functionality of your bite.Be well and good luck!@norrisplastic
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: INVISALIGN INSTEAD OF SURGERY In my experience orthognathic surgery is necessary to alter the jaw. To adjust the jaw there is no substitute for orthognathic surgery. Invisalign is a possible alternative to traditional braces in some patients to prepare them for orthognathic surgery. However, in my opinion Invisalign is not able to address any malocclusion caused by a misalignment of your jaw. I recommend continuing to use RealSelf to get additional opinions and advice. If you decide to get a second opinion be sure to research board certified oral maxillofacial surgeons. Then schedule a consultation for a thorough exam because without a physical exam is it almost impossible to give a definitive answer on what procedure would be needed to improve the functionality of your bite.Be well and good luck!@norrisplastic
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
March 29, 2012
Answer: Invisalign is not a substitute for Orthognathic Surgery
Unfortunatley if you have skeletal discrepencies Invisalign will not address this. Invisalign may be used to straighten and align the teeth, but the underlying skeletal deformity will not be addressed
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 29, 2012
Answer: Invisalign is not a substitute for Orthognathic Surgery
Unfortunatley if you have skeletal discrepencies Invisalign will not address this. Invisalign may be used to straighten and align the teeth, but the underlying skeletal deformity will not be addressed
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
FIND THE RIGHT
TREATMENT FOR YOU
August 19, 2011
Answer: Jaw misalignment and Invisalign
It sounds like you have a skeletal problem where your upper jaw is too far behind your lower jaw (or the lower is too far in front of the upper). Invisalign does not address jaw alignment problems at all, and so would not be a reasonable alternative. Sometimes, if the discrepancy is not too great, a mild underbite can be corrected by extacting one front or two back lower teeth and using conventional appliances to pull the lower front teeth back into a normal bite. However, this "camoflage" treatment does not actually correct the skeletal problem and will not appreciable affect the facial profile. An experienced orthodontist can evaluate your case and discuss all the options with you.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 19, 2011
Answer: Jaw misalignment and Invisalign
It sounds like you have a skeletal problem where your upper jaw is too far behind your lower jaw (or the lower is too far in front of the upper). Invisalign does not address jaw alignment problems at all, and so would not be a reasonable alternative. Sometimes, if the discrepancy is not too great, a mild underbite can be corrected by extacting one front or two back lower teeth and using conventional appliances to pull the lower front teeth back into a normal bite. However, this "camoflage" treatment does not actually correct the skeletal problem and will not appreciable affect the facial profile. An experienced orthodontist can evaluate your case and discuss all the options with you.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
November 16, 2009
Answer: Alternatives to Orthognathic Surgery Your orthodontist should of treated both arches when you were an adolescent. As an adult you should seek a new evaluation from an orthodontist, have them take a panoramic and cephalometric radiograph to assess what can be done to help improve your bite. Braces and the use of elastics/rubber bands can help your bite slightly, but if you have a skeletal abnormality it can only be fixed by orthognathic surgery. Your teeth sit on the bone, you can't move the bone, you can only tip the teeth.
Helpful
November 16, 2009
Answer: Alternatives to Orthognathic Surgery Your orthodontist should of treated both arches when you were an adolescent. As an adult you should seek a new evaluation from an orthodontist, have them take a panoramic and cephalometric radiograph to assess what can be done to help improve your bite. Braces and the use of elastics/rubber bands can help your bite slightly, but if you have a skeletal abnormality it can only be fixed by orthognathic surgery. Your teeth sit on the bone, you can't move the bone, you can only tip the teeth.
Helpful