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2 piece le fort with splint

(5 posts)
  • Started 5 months ago by bracedblogger
  • Latest reply from Hose.A.Jaw
  • 1 Members Subscribed To Topic

  1. bracedblogger
    Member

    Hi there, I had surgery on Saturday and at the last minute, it was decided I would need my upper jaw widened to increase the stability of my bite. Only the back of my upper jaw was widened. I am wearing a splint and the surgeon said he widened my palette by 7 mm which seems significant. I read that when there is significant palette expansion using the 2 piece le fort method, a bar is sometimes placed across the palette to help prevent regression. I don't know if I have this "bar." What I do have is that the splint has a piece of plastic running horizontally from left to right molar across the back of my palette. Is this the "bar" I read about and is its purpose to help prevent regression (or are all splints shaped like this)?

    Thanks for any info you can offer!

    Tara

    Double jaw surgery on 12/17/11. BSSO mandibular advancement of 10 mm; two-piece le fort 1 with 3 mm impaction and maxilla brought forward 1 mm.

    http://www.tara-jaws.blogspot.com
    Posted 5 months ago #

  2. Hose.A.Jaw
    Member

    My palate was also widened. Do not have the bar you are describing. Only have a rigid splint, similar to a mouth-guard designed by pyrex. Very stiff.

    http://hoseajaw.wordpress.com/
    Posted 4 months ago #

  3. bracedblogger
    Member

    Hose.A.Jaw - I misunderstood what another blogger was describing with the splint. She doesn't have a bar now. Once the splint comes off, she will get fitted for a bar that will be placed from molar to molar and will remain in position for 1 to 2 years. The purpose is to help prevent relapse. I plan to ask my orthodontist and surgeon about this at my next apt. Will you have something similar? How much was your upper jaw widened, do you know?

    Posted 4 months ago #

  4. Hose.A.Jaw
    Member

    No, my surgeon opted for rigid wire fixation/immobilization for 3 weeks followed by elastics for 2 weeks (no splint at the time). By doing this, he didn't have to put much torque on the screws/plates. He prefers this method, better long term stability, little chance for relapse.

    However, rigid wire fixation is very mentally/emotionally challenging. It was all I could do to not go crazy. Wife is good support base, but journal everything in personal journal. Many nightmares. I don't know if I would do it again.

    Posted 4 months ago #

  5. Hose.A.Jaw
    Member

    Oh, I don't know how much wider I am now. I look the same, and I haven't asked. It wasn't much.

    Posted 4 months ago #

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