Do You Need Surgery to Fix a Stage 2 Overbite/jet?

Question

I had braces on for 3 years. My orthodontist said I was stage 1 and I wore a bite plate and rubber bands. When he removed them I complained about my overjet and he said the retainer will pull it back. Since then I decided to get a second opinion . I was told that I had a stage 2. I went back to my orthodintist and he has retired. His partner examined me and my chart he confirmed that I was diagnosed incorrectly and that he did not use the proper rubberbands. He stated I needed surgery. Is this true?

Rob van den Berg, DDS, MS · Answer

I can see why you are reaching out to have your question answered. It sounds like your second opinion orthodontist did not mention the need for surgery, but the partner of your old orthodontist did? My recommendation is to contact these doctors again, to have them clarify their opinion. They will likely want to take updated photographs, x-rays and models, if you haven't had those done recently. Typically those records are shared between offices, if you request it.

	Some orthodontic terminology below:

	Phase One - early interceptive ortho around age 8-10 for initial correction of bite and alignment issues.

	Phase Two - full ortho after the Phase I, to complete alignment of all the teeth, typically around age 12-14.

	Class One: normal bite

	Class Two: lower teeth bite too far back, excessive overjet

	Class Three: lower teeth bite too far forward, underbite

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

There is no such thing as a stage 2 problem in orthodontics...sometimes we do treatment in stages, so we call initial treatment (before all the permanent teeth erupt) as stage 1 and then a second phase (or stage) when  all the teeth come in.

	As to whether you need surgery to fully correct your problem, that requires a full diagnostic work-up and consultation with the orthodontist...if you don't have faith in the one you are seeing get a second opinion

Do You Need Surgery to Fix a Stage 2 Overbite/jet?

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Do You Need Surgery to Fix a Stage 2 Overbite/jet?

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Everything you need to know about Braces

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.