So Far So Good - Langhorne, PA

The long journey of braces, surgery and recovery was absolutely worth it. It cured my sleep apnea, and will hopefully keep me from losing my teeth due to ramifications of misalignment. My teeth were already well worn from grinding. The misalignment of jaw and teeth was exacerbating the problem of my teeth wearing away or becoming super fragile. When my orthodontist first mentioned the possibility of jaw surgery even before I got braces, I told myself NO WAY am I getting surgery. But I softened to the idea when he told later on that it would be the best option, because no way did I want to lose my teeth. Also, without the surgery, I would have had to get two teeth pulled. After braces, my teeth would be aligned, but it would have had no effect on the sleep apnea. So I had many more reasons to go through with the surgery, than not to do it.

I thought about it about 6 months ago. Then I thought it was just too much at my age. How did you make such a huge decision?

It wasn't such a hard decision. #1 I didn't want to lose my teeth due to misalignment. The orthodontist said I would lose teeth for sure, and #2 It was the only way to correct the sleep apnea and not have to use a c-pap machine. And the health insurance covered the surgery because of the sleep apnea. I still had to pay for the braces, some out of pocket expense to the oral surgeon, and I still have to get three new crowns, because the crowns I have now don't fit right anymore.

Hi Fluffyboy, it is a big decision, but when the alternative is having to use CPAP for the rest of your life (as in my case) or using CPAP and losing teeth as in Charlirose's case, it's no longer a difficult decision. I'm one year younger than Charirose and having my surgery in November 2014 was the best decision I ever made. I feel better and even look better/ much younger. It's been so helpful following Charlirose's journey. Thank you Charlirose.

Thank you langpam. btw, the name is chariirose, not charlirose :) Just a name I made up.

I have to wear the retainer for about a year 24/7 except for eating and brushing my teeth. After that, I'll probably be wearing the retainer while I sleep for the rest of my life.

Thank you. My orthodontist told me yesterday that I would have to wear a retainer too. I'm guessing that it's the norm. All worth it though.

Your teeth will definitely shift, and fast, if you don't wear it. Between the time my braces came off, at which time the orthodontist took the mold impressions for the retainer, and the time the retainer was delivered (about 12 days), the retainer felt tight in the beginning because my teeth had already shifted a bit. This is normal.

Thank you, it's helpful to have advance warning. Sorry about the mistake with your name. You know how it is with eyes at a certain age!!

Thank you so much. If you are so uncomfortable resting in bed, and if the surgery would be a cure for that, I encourage you to go through with it. It must be very stressful not to feel comfortable even lying down in bed. Don't be afraid. The time will pass quickly. You know how fast time goes by at our age :)

Everything good except chin still numb :(. Now I need new crowns because the old ones don't fit with my newly aligned teeth. Lots more $$$. Still wearing retainers. Thank you for asking

Sorry, I meant to say blisters, but pressed the wrong buttons. I'm finding it so helpful hearing your news and even though the order of things is different from my experience, I can certainly feel your annoyance about the elastic bands and empathise with you on your journey. How long do you have to wear the bands?

Great to hear from you. Now I am almost seven months post op. My braces are off, wearing a retainer, top and bottom. My chin is still numb. I'm resigned to whatever happens. Either the feeling will come back or it won't. Otherwise everything is great. I'll be making an appointment soon with my regular dentist to redo some crowns which no longer match my straightened teeth.

You must be so happy to be out of your braces. When did they get removed? I had been wondering how you were getting on. What did your surgeon say about the numbness in the chin? I have the same problem but I'm some way behind you in the recovery ( op in November). It has been so helpful reading about your experiences. Thank you

They came off January 16th. I haven't been to the surgeon in awhile. I think he would say it's more likely after six months that the feeling won't come back :( but I'm okay with it because there's not much I can do about it :) I've spoken to many people who say that nerves can take well over a year to regenerate. Time will tell.

The orthodontist will make me some kind of appliance to sleep in that will prevent me from grinding my teeth, which makes TMJ worse, not the regular night guard. Other than that I'm not sure. Right now I'm taking anti inflammatories but it doesn't seem to be helping. Maybe it would be worse without them. I notice that when I practice piano, my jaw gets tight, so I have to consciously relax my jaw.

No I don't know what it's called, but I'll try to remember (!) to ask my orthodontist when I see him.

Yes, I'm sure it's important for you to relax your jaw. How long will your orthodontic treatment last? Last night was a milestone for me...I slept lying down, on three pillows, as you did. Slept much better. I feel all your comments are so helpful, given that I am only one year younger. I couldn't imagine teaching right now (I used to teach German and French) and wonder whether I'll ever talk properly again!!!

I'm only two weeks post op, not aware of getting a retainer yet.

The orthodontist told me the braces would be for about 6 months after surgery, but I didn't start back to treatment until 8 weeks, so I think about 4 more months. I am a piano teacher, so I don't have to talk all that much because I spend a lot of time listening, as well as talking. I waited 3 weeks to start working, but it was during the summer when my schedule is lighter anyway. I still feel funny when I talk sometimes, but other people probably don't notice. I tried teaching myself French for a few years, but don't have the time. I would have loved to be able to speak different languages. Americans are missing out on that.

I'm coming up to the three week point (tomorrow). I couldn't imagine starting back to teaching, with my jaws banded (anteriors and molars) . Mind you, I taught adolescent boys, aged 11-18, they would have had great fun with my banded jaws!! I am starting to find speaking a lot easier, though. Did you have your jaws banded?

Adolescent boys, that would be a challenge, and you're right about the banded jaws. Up until just yesterday, I never had any kind of bands. Yesterday my orthodontist put rubber bands on which I have to wear 24/7 except for cleaning my teeth. I took them off at lunch today, because I was eating out and wanted to enjoy my lunch. It must be very difficult if you're banded in the very beginning, being as you have no strength to talk as it is, let alone with bands.

I'm guessing that I was banded from the beginning because I opted for the Surgery First approach and I think the bands ensure that the jaws don't move back. I presume your pre surgery orthodontic treatment had already started the forward movement? Your comment has reassured me, and now I understand why talking was so difficult! Mind you, being a naturally chatty person, as most linguists are, it didn't stop me! When you say you have to wear the elastics 24/7, how do you manage? I have to remove the four sets of elastics and aligners in order to eat. My elastics connect upper molars with lower ones and upper anteriors with lower one ( Framkenstein style).

The way my orthodontist explained it to me, before the surgery, the top teeth were aligned with my top jaw, the bottom teeth were aligned with the bottom jaw, and not until the surgery was the top jaw aligned with the bottom jaw. As for elastics 24/7, sometimes I take them out to eat and put them in again afterwards. They are extremely annoying because they are right in the front and constantly touching my lips, and because my nerves are still messed up, my lips always feel wet in the corners, much worse than before. I'm constantly using a tissue to blot the corners of my mouth. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I only have 2 rubber bands. Looks like fangs.