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After undergoing 3 rounds of braces for a combined...
After undergoing 3 rounds of braces for a combined 5 years (and counting,) I finally underwent jaw surgery in October of 2014 and would do it again in a heartbeat. The unknown is scary, especially when it is surgery that involves trusting a stranger with your face and ability to chew. Hopefully by sharing what brought me to jaw surgery and out the other side, I can demystify the process for people considering it themselves.
I was first told I would need surgery at the age of 12, when my parents and I met with a surgeon in NH and decided to put it off until I was old enough to understand what I was getting myself into. To the best of my memory, the first surgeon recommended moving my upper jaw back.
Fast forward to orthodontics round three. I chose to have braces put on the third time during my sophomore year of college because of some significant functional issues with my bite. Though my teeth were not crooked, I had an open bite/ overjet, and very little contact between my teeth-- only two molars on the right and one on the left. This caused some substantial problems with clenching, grinding, and other TMJ related muscular issues in my face, shoulders and neck. I have tried trigger point injections, chiropractic care, massage therapy, muscle relaxers, heat/ice, yoga, jaw physical therapy, and a soft food diet but nothing provided permanent relief. My new orthodontist also made a possible connection between my poorly aligned bite and my migraines. We agreed to first try braces and a bite block, then if that was unsuccessful, discuss surgical options. Though the bite block gave me some relief, my orthodontist was unable to correct my bite completely without surgery.
Just a side note: as an adult with braces, I found the spacers to be the most painful part of regular orthodontics. I was in so much pain they had to put my lower and upper bands on a day apart.
Orthodontics was further complicated by my decision to take an out of state internship for a semester, and it was a hassle to fly back for a 30 min apt to have my wires tightened! (I don't recommend it) I'm just thankful I never popped a bracket while I was away.
My orthodontist first referred me to a pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and the initial consultation went well. However, when I went to make a follow up appointment when I was getting close to ready for surgery I found out she had moved out of state. My orthodontist urged me to see another surgeon at the pediatric practice, but my mom had a friend from work who's son had recently had the surgery done. I looked him up online, found him to be highly respected and made an appointment.
I was first told I would need surgery at the age of 12, when my parents and I met with a surgeon in NH and decided to put it off until I was old enough to understand what I was getting myself into. To the best of my memory, the first surgeon recommended moving my upper jaw back.
Fast forward to orthodontics round three. I chose to have braces put on the third time during my sophomore year of college because of some significant functional issues with my bite. Though my teeth were not crooked, I had an open bite/ overjet, and very little contact between my teeth-- only two molars on the right and one on the left. This caused some substantial problems with clenching, grinding, and other TMJ related muscular issues in my face, shoulders and neck. I have tried trigger point injections, chiropractic care, massage therapy, muscle relaxers, heat/ice, yoga, jaw physical therapy, and a soft food diet but nothing provided permanent relief. My new orthodontist also made a possible connection between my poorly aligned bite and my migraines. We agreed to first try braces and a bite block, then if that was unsuccessful, discuss surgical options. Though the bite block gave me some relief, my orthodontist was unable to correct my bite completely without surgery.
Just a side note: as an adult with braces, I found the spacers to be the most painful part of regular orthodontics. I was in so much pain they had to put my lower and upper bands on a day apart.
Orthodontics was further complicated by my decision to take an out of state internship for a semester, and it was a hassle to fly back for a 30 min apt to have my wires tightened! (I don't recommend it) I'm just thankful I never popped a bracket while I was away.
My orthodontist first referred me to a pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and the initial consultation went well. However, when I went to make a follow up appointment when I was getting close to ready for surgery I found out she had moved out of state. My orthodontist urged me to see another surgeon at the pediatric practice, but my mom had a friend from work who's son had recently had the surgery done. I looked him up online, found him to be highly respected and made an appointment.