POSTED UNDER Jaw Surgery REVIEWS
Orthagnathic Surgery.Well Worth the Wait - Birmingham, GB
ORIGINAL POST
I was first referred to a dental hospital when I...
WORTH IT
I was first referred to a dental hospital when I was about 14. But my story started back at primary school, when my milk teeth started to fall out and my "adult" teeth came through. A school dentist came in when I was about 7. I always remember she did a plaque test with a little red tablet in the mouth. Where most kids would get a few spots on their teeth, my teeth soaked up the red dye like a sponge. The school contacted my mom; and that's when she told them, and me, that it was a genetic condition and she would consult our dentist.
At the time, I was too young to understand. But later on, I found out the condition was called "Ameliogenesis imperfecta." The lack of enamel formation on my small, round, yellow teeth meant they break and wear away easily. I was told I had to give up all sugar from my diet and wait for my body to finish growing.
I would need the teeth capped with veneers or crowns to protect the teeth from eventually wearing away completely.
As I got older and started high school, I was treated differently and being bullied by other kids meant I grew up feeling awkward and uncomfortable with other people. I would eat junk for comfort which didn't exactly help the situation with my teeth.
But the worst thing was that as I grew, my bottom jaw developed faster than my top jaw. That's when the X-rays started and the dental hospital told me I would probably need the jaw surgery. If I had my teeth crowned with my jaw the way it was, It would cause pressure and wouldn't be effective.So at the age of 15, I agreed to the surgery and my journey began.I had a
I am going to be 25 tomorrow, and it has been an emotional roller coaster. I eventually had my surgery 7 weeks ago after five years of braces, pain, ups and downs. I am healthy now, I try to eat well and enjoyed googling ways to help healing and recovery after my surgery. So far, Its gone well.
I am still a long way off my goal as I still have my small yellow teeth and braces and some days i look in the mirror and my low self esteem makes me feel unworthy.In an instant I am whisked back in time to that uncomfortable chubby 12 year old girl. But I am lucky enough to have my family around me and was lucky enough to have met someone who loves me for who I am. I would recommend the surgery but would also encourage people not to try to imagine what they think their face will look like afterwards. I understand that people will have high expectations, as I did, but with some self help, I have learned to appreciate what I have, and not what I don't have. Personally, my goal is just to feel content in my own skin, not to be glamorous or be a model..just to feel NORMAL. I know my limits and am realistic about my results.
Its important to try to focus on how far you have come already and to stay positive. All i can say is, if you are like me and go through the same struggle most days to shake off that mental black cloud hanging over you..just stand in front of a mirror and make a physical effort to take a deep breath, lift your chest, pull back your shoulders, raise your eyebrows... and smile. yes smile at yourself! Even if you feel like you have to fake it, just try it! I don't have any scientific evidence that proves it will work, but it works for me. It certainly won't make you feel any worse!
"I believe that life is about suffering and that the quality of your life is a direct result of your tolerance to the suffering, determined by the foundations of a strong body and a healthy mind."
At the time, I was too young to understand. But later on, I found out the condition was called "Ameliogenesis imperfecta." The lack of enamel formation on my small, round, yellow teeth meant they break and wear away easily. I was told I had to give up all sugar from my diet and wait for my body to finish growing.
I would need the teeth capped with veneers or crowns to protect the teeth from eventually wearing away completely.
As I got older and started high school, I was treated differently and being bullied by other kids meant I grew up feeling awkward and uncomfortable with other people. I would eat junk for comfort which didn't exactly help the situation with my teeth.
But the worst thing was that as I grew, my bottom jaw developed faster than my top jaw. That's when the X-rays started and the dental hospital told me I would probably need the jaw surgery. If I had my teeth crowned with my jaw the way it was, It would cause pressure and wouldn't be effective.So at the age of 15, I agreed to the surgery and my journey began.I had a
I am going to be 25 tomorrow, and it has been an emotional roller coaster. I eventually had my surgery 7 weeks ago after five years of braces, pain, ups and downs. I am healthy now, I try to eat well and enjoyed googling ways to help healing and recovery after my surgery. So far, Its gone well.
I am still a long way off my goal as I still have my small yellow teeth and braces and some days i look in the mirror and my low self esteem makes me feel unworthy.In an instant I am whisked back in time to that uncomfortable chubby 12 year old girl. But I am lucky enough to have my family around me and was lucky enough to have met someone who loves me for who I am. I would recommend the surgery but would also encourage people not to try to imagine what they think their face will look like afterwards. I understand that people will have high expectations, as I did, but with some self help, I have learned to appreciate what I have, and not what I don't have. Personally, my goal is just to feel content in my own skin, not to be glamorous or be a model..just to feel NORMAL. I know my limits and am realistic about my results.
Its important to try to focus on how far you have come already and to stay positive. All i can say is, if you are like me and go through the same struggle most days to shake off that mental black cloud hanging over you..just stand in front of a mirror and make a physical effort to take a deep breath, lift your chest, pull back your shoulders, raise your eyebrows... and smile. yes smile at yourself! Even if you feel like you have to fake it, just try it! I don't have any scientific evidence that proves it will work, but it works for me. It certainly won't make you feel any worse!
"I believe that life is about suffering and that the quality of your life is a direct result of your tolerance to the suffering, determined by the foundations of a strong body and a healthy mind."
Beckiboo24's provider
Replies (5)
May 26, 2015
Hi Becki
So good to hear how pleased you are with the result! I bet you're so glad the hardest bit is over now :) I can relate to a lot of your story. I was told I would need jaw surgery at 17 years but put it off due to uni. I'm now 25 going on 26, my surgery is due next summer 2016. I have ups and downs about it but can't wait for it to all be over now. Did you have single or double jaw surgery? I'm due to have double.
I hope your recovery continues as good as it has been already :)
Tash x
April 21, 2016
Hey!thankyou so much for ur comments :) how are you getting on? Have u had the surgery yet? So nervous and excited for you! x
April 21, 2016
I had double by the way, they cut across the inside of my top jaw behind my nose and pulled it forward then cut my bottom jaw in two places and shifted it back..is that what you're having done? You can do it don't worry!
just take it as it comes and do things in your own time..i came off the pain killers after two weeks but it may be different for you depending on how you cope with the pain. Either way, I would definitely recommend getting yourself: a blender, a large syringe (ask a nurse at the hospital), boxes and boxes of tissues,a baby spoon, a tommy tippee cup/cup with a lid, drinking straws..(I couldn't suck through a straw til about 5 weeks post surgery, but good to keep them handy) a diary to keep on top of icing and all the meds and the times you need to take them, children's tooth brush, neck cushion, a vase and plenty of space around the house for all the cards and flowers you're going to get!:D
Hope this hasn't scared you..you will be fine I promise!I am here if you want to ask anything. good luck! Xx
just take it as it comes and do things in your own time..i came off the pain killers after two weeks but it may be different for you depending on how you cope with the pain. Either way, I would definitely recommend getting yourself: a blender, a large syringe (ask a nurse at the hospital), boxes and boxes of tissues,a baby spoon, a tommy tippee cup/cup with a lid, drinking straws..(I couldn't suck through a straw til about 5 weeks post surgery, but good to keep them handy) a diary to keep on top of icing and all the meds and the times you need to take them, children's tooth brush, neck cushion, a vase and plenty of space around the house for all the cards and flowers you're going to get!:D
Hope this hasn't scared you..you will be fine I promise!I am here if you want to ask anything. good luck! Xx
UPDATED FROM Beckiboo24
2 months post
12 weeks post orthagnathic
Had an xray done a few weeks ago to check the right hand side of my jaw as still quite painful whilst eating (ive been eating pretty much normally since 4 weeks post op, within reason, no steaks or apples yet!!) and was worried there were complications with the jaw healing. But once again the team at the Q.E put my mind at ease and said they were not concerned at all, the bone looks fine and is knitting nicely. Looks as though i could just have some reminant infection from the absessed tooth i had to have root canal for before my surgery.
Butttt....braces off soon hopefully, which will hopefully give the tooth chance to settle. ready for my NEW TEETH!! Eeek!
So as slow as it seems, things are moving forward and im starting to feel alot happier. It just takes patience!
Check out my 12 week surgery before and after video (bearing in mind my ongoing treatment for ameliogenesis imperfecta, hence my small, round discoloured teeth under the braces!!)
Plus my xrays at 10 weeks.
And Remember, "rome wasnt built in a day"!!
;)
Butttt....braces off soon hopefully, which will hopefully give the tooth chance to settle. ready for my NEW TEETH!! Eeek!
So as slow as it seems, things are moving forward and im starting to feel alot happier. It just takes patience!
Check out my 12 week surgery before and after video (bearing in mind my ongoing treatment for ameliogenesis imperfecta, hence my small, round discoloured teeth under the braces!!)
Plus my xrays at 10 weeks.
And Remember, "rome wasnt built in a day"!!
;)
Replies (3)
June 29, 2015
Thank you for sharing your experience! Thee difference, already, is quite dramatic. It has changed the entire shape of your face! I hope you keep updating as you heal & share photos of your soon to be perfect teeth.
January 8, 2016
You look beautiful. The jaw surgery really did work for you. I'm scheduled for my jaw surgery towards the end of the year. Reading your story and outlook on life was an inspiration!
April 21, 2016
Hey thankyou for your comment :) good luck with your surgery this year! It's so worth it, I hope it all goes well for you, I'm excited for you :D
UPDATED FROM Beckiboo24
10 months post
10 months post orthognathic surgeryyyy
Ok well not much to say except that things are good. I saw my surgeon last month, he says hes happy with how everything is settling and says i can move forward with the treatment to fix my ameliogenesis imperfecta..
My orthodontist told me ill be having veneers so ive spoken to the restorative department at the dental hospital and was suprised to hear that my case is already put forward to the nurses and i should be getting a call to arrange an appointment very soon...!
Exciting!
I do feel a bit sceptical as i have been let down before with appontments and waiting times so do feel reluctant to trust them 100%, but im gonna give them the benefit of the doubt for now and just give them a call if i dont hear back in a fee weeks..
But im happy :)
Heres some up to date pictures of my jaw so far..
Keep smiling ? xx
My orthodontist told me ill be having veneers so ive spoken to the restorative department at the dental hospital and was suprised to hear that my case is already put forward to the nurses and i should be getting a call to arrange an appointment very soon...!
Exciting!
I do feel a bit sceptical as i have been let down before with appontments and waiting times so do feel reluctant to trust them 100%, but im gonna give them the benefit of the doubt for now and just give them a call if i dont hear back in a fee weeks..
But im happy :)
Heres some up to date pictures of my jaw so far..
Keep smiling ? xx
Replies (4)
February 14, 2016
Hi Becki, Thank you for sharing your experience :) It can be such a hard challenge to go through. I think you look so pretty either way. I feel exactly how you feel to feel a normal bite and look and comfortable in oneself. I would like to get double jaw surgery asap as the NHS have told me i can't get it done :( after waiting a whole year. Good luck with the veneers :) xx
April 21, 2016
Hey thankyou for your lovely comments :) I hope you can get something sorted soon :( unfortunately my suspicions were right all along, my case wasn't forwarded after all and in fact they can't even find me on the system now!it's so annoying that people take advantage of the nhs and don't really need the treatment then the people who do need it just get penalised .
July 21, 2016
Hi you look so great! I do relate with your story, low self esteem, i always think about timing when i should be more patient and enjoy life, one at the time. I live in Canada and the waiting list here is so terrible and it makes me anxious. Can't wait to hear the ct scan results and decide to do it or not! I scared but we will see what happens, other than that again you look fantastic!
Thank you so much for sharing the honest and inspiring story of your journey. You've been through a lot, and you seem very brave. I'm happy that you finally feel comfortable in your own skin. I would love it if you could share some photos, but it's completely up to you. Please keep us posted on your recovery, and let us know how we can support you.