POSTED UNDER Jaw Surgery REVIEWS
41 yr old with under-bite all my life.
ORIGINAL POST
I have had this under-bite all my life, and while...
GraemeDNovember 7, 2015
$12,000
I have had this under-bite all my life, and while I have never really been bullied or anything, I still get treated way different than anyone else. It has been a social nightmare. Now, I want this done so bad. It is my mission. And I will not stop until it is done.
I have been checking overseas to get it done from some top notch surgeons because it is much cheaper there. All in all I am going to need about $12k plus maybe a little more.
I have no idea how I am going to come up with that money, but it has to happen. I appreciate any support I can get on this forum. It is a nightmare socially, mentally, and emotionally to have this. Not the same as an overbite where at least you can smile. I can not even smile and people mis-interpret this all the time. Hellish.
I have been checking overseas to get it done from some top notch surgeons because it is much cheaper there. All in all I am going to need about $12k plus maybe a little more.
I have no idea how I am going to come up with that money, but it has to happen. I appreciate any support I can get on this forum. It is a nightmare socially, mentally, and emotionally to have this. Not the same as an overbite where at least you can smile. I can not even smile and people mis-interpret this all the time. Hellish.
Replies (34)
November 14, 2015
You should be evaluated for a DNA Appliance and Epigenetic orthopedics that may be able to correct your problems without surgery.
November 16, 2015
More information is still needed including an exam but you have a severely underdeveloped Maxilla. It appears that that you are posturing forward and rotated forward. Since you mentioned traveling I suggest you contact Dr Tamara Heit in Edmonton, Canada for a consultation. Dr Heit is an amzing doctor from both clinical and research prospectives. She also teaches courses in utilizing the DNA Appliance.
More importantly Dr Heit is a neuromuscular dentist and a member of ICCMO.
The combination of neuromuscular dentistry and DNA Appliance is essential!
Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAPM, FICCMO
More importantly Dr Heit is a neuromuscular dentist and a member of ICCMO.
The combination of neuromuscular dentistry and DNA Appliance is essential!
Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAPM, FICCMO
November 16, 2015
Thanks, but with out seeing xrays, and given the info I provided about my cavities and the photos, would this be done with or without surgery? Braces?
November 16, 2015
I think it is possible without surgey . Worth driving to see Dr Heit for an opinion before going toward surgery.
November 16, 2015
You will definitely end up with a better final result if a DNA Appliance precedes surgery if you eventually go that route.
November 16, 2015
Canada is out of the question unfortunately. What about Invisalign pre-treatment? Do I look like I would be a candidate with that?
I am interested in the DNA treatment. Are there people I can connect with in the US who could use me for a study or dental college practice or something? Thanks for your help.
I am interested in the DNA treatment. Are there people I can connect with in the US who could use me for a study or dental college practice or something? Thanks for your help.
November 25, 2015
The company that owns DNA Appliance is located in Beaverton , Oregon. I believe Dr David Singh lives there but I do not think he treats patients he reviews diagnostics ro across the US.
Contact them and they may be able to help. Martha Cortes in NYC has done more DNA Appliances than anyone and she did a similar case that I sent her from Chicago.
Contact them and they may be able to help. Martha Cortes in NYC has done more DNA Appliances than anyone and she did a similar case that I sent her from Chicago.
November 27, 2015
Make sure you have no active decay and keep up hygiene post op.
Cavities that are properly restored are no longer cavities but restorations
Cavities that are properly restored are no longer cavities but restorations
December 16, 2015
Isn't that hard on them if they have to be in pre op braces for 2 years. With my teeth, some of them had some deep cavities that were restored, but it seems that the overall tooth would be weaker and putting braces on them will compromise them as opposed to starting with a cavity free healthy tooth.
December 16, 2015
A correctly restored tooth is very strong. g. People who are prone to decay must work especially hard to maintain health. An advantage of DNA Appliance is it is removable for cleaning and only worn 12-14 hours/day
November 27, 2015
I'm going to have jaw surgery in a week. I've had braces for a year - they moved my upper teeth back to their "normal position". >8mm underbite.
I'd have to agree that I've noticed some social issues with having such an underbite. When I meet new people, sometimes they seem to think I am pissed off, when really, I'm just listening and trying to understand them. My "neutral" face looks more like a grimace. I don't mind too much, I just have to act overly friendly to get my point across.
In my case, I have scar tissue from cleft palate surgeries, so I'm having internal distraction done. I have to wear a device for 3 months. Can't wait till it's over.
Good luck!
I'd have to agree that I've noticed some social issues with having such an underbite. When I meet new people, sometimes they seem to think I am pissed off, when really, I'm just listening and trying to understand them. My "neutral" face looks more like a grimace. I don't mind too much, I just have to act overly friendly to get my point across.
In my case, I have scar tissue from cleft palate surgeries, so I'm having internal distraction done. I have to wear a device for 3 months. Can't wait till it's over.
Good luck!
November 27, 2015
Internal distraction is an excellent technique.
Dr David Singh who invented the DNA Appliance did his original research at the NIH on cleft palate patients in Puerto Rico. He found that reducing obturator size in increments of 250 microns he could grow cleft palates closed without multiple bone graft surgeries.
He applied this knowledge in creating DNA Appliance
Dr David Singh who invented the DNA Appliance did his original research at the NIH on cleft palate patients in Puerto Rico. He found that reducing obturator size in increments of 250 microns he could grow cleft palates closed without multiple bone graft surgeries.
He applied this knowledge in creating DNA Appliance
November 30, 2015
I know. The grimace. I just feel that I have lost so many opportunities because people misunderstand my expression. It is hard. It is how I was born and those who do not know what it is like just have no idea.
UPDATED FROM GraemeD
Clearer photos of my under bite
GraemeDNovember 16, 2015
Wondering about the cost of treatment, length of treatment with braces and surgery?, braces or not braces? I am 41 yrs old and several of my teeth have had deep cavities filled. What are my options?
Replies (6)
November 25, 2015
I'm 34 and just had double jaw surgery three weeks ago. My lower jaw was moved backwards, my upper jaw was moved forward and split into three parts to widen it. I'm going to hit my Blue Cross Blue Shield out of pocket maximum of $10,000. My recovery has been above average. I'm still recovering, but my end result is incredible. My underbite was a Class 3, which is the worst it gets, and based on your pictures, mine was far worse than yours. You might be able to get by with just a lower jaw surgery, which is significantly less complex than a double jaw surgery.
Do it.
Start the process soon, because you'll be in braces for at least a year, more likely 18 months. I was in my braces for 2.5 years due to firing my first surgeon, then having to find another one.
Hope this helps!
Do it.
Start the process soon, because you'll be in braces for at least a year, more likely 18 months. I was in my braces for 2.5 years due to firing my first surgeon, then having to find another one.
Hope this helps!
November 26, 2015
@bdeshong I would love to see photos. It always helps.
What I am wondering about braces is if I have deep cavities that have been filled will my teeth be too compromised to wear braces? I hope I don't have to wear them that long. Maybe something like invisalign.
What I am wondering about braces is if I have deep cavities that have been filled will my teeth be too compromised to wear braces? I hope I don't have to wear them that long. Maybe something like invisalign.
November 26, 2015
Happy thanksgiving .....I'm also Investing in correcting my underbite. Braces was put on on Monday 11/21/15 and my insurance has approved for the surgery to be done between now and march 2016. Will it be a good idea to get the surgery done early or later after the braces are put in.
November 27, 2015
I'm actually in a similar predicament, my doctor actually wants to do surgery which was approved as well and post op perform invislign later . Haven't heard of many doctors doing this.
December 5, 2015
I'm 34, and just had double jaw surgery a month ago after 2.5 years of braces and preparation. Your teeth should be straight and aligned before surgery is done. This way, when your jaw(s) are moved into proper alignment, your teeth will (more or less) be aligned, too. You're typically in braces for 12-18 months before surgery takes place. Your being in braces for only five months seems extremely quick, and dare I say not very well planned out. Good luck!
December 5, 2015
This sounds crazy to me -- I've always been told that braces occur before surgery, not after. I suppose it depends on how bad your bite is. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You mentioned that you're looking overseas for doctors to perform the surgery. What countries are you researching?