Jaw Surgery Forums » Post-Surgery and Recovery Questions

1 week post surgery

(9 posts)
  • Started 1 year ago by kmiller0715
  • Latest reply from lucrezia
  • 2 Members Subscribed To Topic

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  1. kmiller0715
    Member

    Hello,
    Thanks so much for this great web site. I am 1 week post surgery and I had lower jaw surgery to correct an overbite. I am concerned because my lower teeth and jaw appear to be tilted when my teeth go together now. I also bite down on my left side before my right side hits. It is noticeable when you look at my teeth. My surgeon says that the orthodontist will correct it and there is nothing to worry about. He has 1 rubberband on each side on my mouth. Today is March 2 and my orthodontist appointment is not until March 29. Does anyone have any suggestions because I am concerned. Thanks so much! Hunter

    Posted 1 year ago #

  2. Brandon
    Site Administrator

    Hello Hunter,

    First off, congrats on a successful surgery and making it through that first week!

    I remember my bite being slightly off as well, probably seemed even more so because I was paranoid it was going to immediately go back to where it was, but the final tweaks were done by the orthodontist, so you're surgeon should be right in saying the ortho will make the final adjustments to make sure everything fits together right.

    If you're really concerned, you may be able to see the orthodontist early and/or move your appointment up for reassurance.

    I hope that helps, and let us know what you find out.

    I'm Brandon, the creator of JawSurgeryBlog.com. I personally had upper and lower jaw surgery on October 30, 2007. Thankfully, everything went beautifully, so I'm trying to make sure everyone else's surgery goes smoothly as well!

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corrective-Jaw-Surgery/114627165257701
    Posted 1 year ago #

  3. Roy
    Member

    Im at 4 weeks post op.The right side of my teeth were the only ones that were touching for about 8 days. Then the left finally started to touch.I have 2 bands on each side. The bands will definitely pull them together. There is still some work to do on my teeth.I still have concerns but my surgeon also told me that the orthodontist will correct my teeth.

    Whenever I start getting worried I just go on google and type in braces before and after to see what braces can do. After looking at before and after pics its amazing what an orthodontist can do. I will tell you that one thing I am very concerned about is when I close my teeth my upper jaw is 2mm forward of my lower. I wonder how he is going to pull that back. Its almost like they advanced my upper jaw to much but I know they didnt. I know its nothing but im just waiting for the my appointment with my orthodontist in a few weeks to say dont worry. It kind of a very small overbite but its not.

    I didnt ask my surgeon why it looks like that. I keep forgeting whenever I go in to see him. He is really good though and I trust him completely.

    I will keep you updated on how that goes. I try to stay positive that everything will turn out o.k. I know im being extremely picky and nervous but I also keep reminding myself its still to early in the healing process. If anyone knows anything about this mini "overbite" let me know.

    Upper Jaw Surgery Feb 04, 2010
    Posted 1 year ago #

  4. kmiller0715
    Member

    Roy and Brandon, this is Hunters mom, he and I have both been going on this site looking at everything, this is the best site ever!

    I took Hunter to the orthodontist today. The first thing he asked me about was when did they take out the Shunt or splint (can't remember), I don't know what this is or why they asked, but Hunter never had one, should he of had one? The orthodontist was like hmmmm...

    Anyway, he said that everything is still coming together with Hunters bite and that the rubber bands will help and that the tilted teeth can be corrected with orthodontists. He still seemed a little weird though, he told me I should try to get Hunter in the surgeons office on Monday instead of Wednesday. I wonder what was really going on in his head, was he concerned about the bite or the shunt?

    Roy, with your overbite, I have been on the internet reading many many things about this surgery. They sometimes have to correct things after surgery, even an overbite. An overbite can be corrected with orthodontists. Unfortunately I have also read about people having to have more than one surgery, this is scary and I hope this does not happen to you. It seems that a bite can move back where it was before surgery if care is not taken.

    I had an overbite which was corrected with braces when I was young. It was a terrible overbite, I sucked my thumb for years. The overbite was corrected by using rubber bands.

    I really don't understand the difference between my overbite and my sons, since they had to do surgery on his. But they told me that his jaw was just not large enough to pull forward, and once I started noticing his dads side of the family I realized they all had short chins.

    Now, when he went into surgery there was a plastic piece that they placed his teeth into and then wired his jaw shut so that his teeth fit into the plastic piece, then they put the screws into his jaw. I am not sure if they do that if you have upper and lower jaw surgery, but that is the only way I know they can place the teeth together correctly, do you know if they had this with your surgery? I know it must be hard for you to wait until your next appointment, I have struggled the past couple of days with my son and his bite being higher on one side. I think they should tell you more about what can happen, but if they do that they may not have any patients!

    Thanks for any input,
    Kim (Hunter Mom)

    Posted 1 year ago #

  5. Roy
    Member

    Hi Kim,
    So today I finally went back to work after a month. All day I could not stop thinking about my overbite. So I took a pic and sent it via email to my surgeon. I got a call saying to come in. I left work immediately and went to the surgeons office. He said I definitely developed an overbite.

    Just so you know I only had upper jaw surgery.

    He said that my lower jaw muscles were pulling my lower jaw backwards and this created the overbite. So what he did reposition the bands so they would pull my lower jaw forward. I felt it immediately moving. I could tell because different parts of my teeth were starting to touch. He said that it will be o.k. and to leave the bands on like this for a 3-4 weeks.

    He also arranged to see me in 10 days again instead of 17 days. Sooooo of course nothing goes perfect. my right side of my jaw is pretty good. The left side needed 3 teeth to be moved outward. Now that the jaw is moving forward it is hitting my left teeth and it cant move anymore. The problem is on my upper jaw the tooth in front of my k9 tooth and the lower k9 tooth are the only ones touching now. Its hurts because all the pressure is on these two teeth. Im going to wait it out a few days. This tooth needs to move outward in order for the lower jaw to advance forward so the overbite can close. If it doest I will contact my surgeon.

    As for the splint I never had one in my mouth. They were going to put it in but they didnt end up performing surgery on my lower jaw. They did put the rubber bands though.

    I would also like you to know that I feel very comfortable with my surgeon and orthodontist. I also know that things dont always go according to what I expect it to be but it eventually works out. Hopefully!

    Posted 1 year ago #

  6. kmiller0715
    Member

    Roy,

    I am so glad you went into see the surgeon! It sounds like he will be able to correct this issue you have. I am glad you feel comfortable with your surgeon, I do with Hunters but it is very nerve wracking when you don't understand fully what is going on and why.

    No one ever wants something to go wrong but sometimes it does and when you can just get a piece of mind to make you feel better, that can mean the whole world.

    I hope your bite continues to get better, please keep us update.

    I still don't know what this splint would have been for, I can't wait to get to the surgeons office on Wednesday.

    Kim

    Posted 1 year ago #

  7. lucrezia
    Member

    Hi all :)
    Just thought I'd share my experience with the splint...

    I had surgery only on my upper jaw about 4 1/2wks ago and still have the splint in place, wired to my upper teeth. My surgeon says the splint is there to help maintain the added width that was created during the surgery until the bone heals enough to support it (the width was increased by 7mm during surgery.) I have an appt to have it removed at the 7wk mark, which is a week earlier than originally planned by my surgeon. The day I have it removed, I have an appt immediately after with my orthodontist to have a mold done, and then a splint made that goes across my palate and over my back teeth to help maintain that width.
    I had 3 rubberbands (one on each side and one in front) to keep my jaws together and my lower teeth aligned into the splint. I now have only one band in front, because I was accidently pulling my teeth apart when I'd talk, against the bands, and ended up with one side that has a tiny bit of movement now when I bite down. So the dr told me not to wear the bands on the sides anymore so I won't screw it up any further. He says the bone should still heal and it can be pretty normal to have "microscopic" movement as the bones heal back together.

    Aw, the joys and stresses we are facing...blah!

    I had upper jaw surgery 2/3/10...well on my way to recovery, a great smile and finally being able to chew normally!
    Posted 1 year ago #

  8. kmiller0715
    Member

    Lucrezia,

    Thanks for explaining the splint, I can't wait to get Hunter back to the doctor to ask how they use these on lower jaw patients.
    What do you mean by you were pulling your teeth apart when you talk? Don't the rubber bands allow for some movement when talking? Thanks for all the info and I hope your movement gets better.

    Hunter's jaw still looks crooked or tilted to one side, I hope this gets better because this is a painful surgery to have something go wrong.

    Kim

    Posted 1 year ago #

  9. lucrezia
    Member

    No problem...this site has been such an excellent source of info for me, it's the least I can do!

    My bands don't allow for much movement, and the splint fits around the back of my teeth, so it's hard for others to understand me when I talk, as not much sound gets through this thing! So, I was pulling my upper and lower teeth apart a little when I'd talk...I didn't think it was that bad, but apparently, I was wrong :( So, now when I have my bands on, I'm VERY careful not to pull against the bands! I see my surgeon again on Friday and I'm hoping for good news.

    I really hope Hunter's jaw/teeth are okay. This has not been an easy recovery by any means and I can't even fathom the idea of having to re-do anything!
    I hope everything goes well at his appt on Wednesday. Hopefully you guys get some good news and some peace of mind along with it! Keep us posted...

    Posted 1 year ago #

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