Jaw Surgery Forums » Pre-Surgery Questions

Braces for Surgery Question- How Long?

(18 posts)
  • Started 9 months ago by Malli
  • Latest reply from Ganesh Kumar
  • 2 Members Subscribed To Topic

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12

  1. Malli
    Member

    Hiya, I'm a newbie here so I hope someone can help me.
    I'm looking to get my underbite fixed and a chin reduction.
    I was advised since the age of 14 that I would need surgery to correct my underbite but my parents did not agree, so now I'm an adult I think I'd like to get it fixed myself as it does bother me a lot and I've been teased about it all my life. ):

    My question- how long will I need braces for?
    I heard that it's usually about 2 years, but this seems like such a long time . . .
    My teeth are very very straight naturally, so I cannot see why I would need braces for 2 years . . . Is it possible that I would be able to have braces for only a few months or so? I'm curious to see if there's anyone out there who only had their braces on for a short time before they were able to have their surgery. Or, is it possible to get the braces put on simply for the purpose of wiring your jaw shut post-op without actually having them move your teeth at all?

    I will be going to see my dentist very soon to begin initial consultations but I just want to see if anyone on here has any advice. :)

    Many thanks for your help!! :)

    Posted 9 months ago #

  2. THECW
    Member

    hi, I had braces when I was in middle school and again because of the surgery. I had my braces on september 2010 and had my surgery on July 27, 2011. I could have had my surgery on December 2010 but because I'm in a quarter system for college I thought 3 weeks was not enough time to heal. So if i had my surgery on December the doctor said i could have had my braces off by june. Now I'm 3 weeks post op and my doctor said I'm going to have my braces off either November or December 2011. Similar to you I had pretty good straight teeth so I tried everything I could to avoid them because what kind of adult wants to wear braces. My doctor told me that most (almost all) surgeons requires their patients to wear braces for at least 3-4 months because it aligns the teeth and they use the braces to wire or band you shut. However, I've seen some pictures of people with only having these clear brackets put on the back of their teeth (but they were from Europe).
    So basically all I'm saying is that you probably will have to but its ultimately the dentist and surgeons decision.
    Also I paid 300 more to get clear braces. I think their 100% worth it because it took LOT of people time to notice that I had them on. I remember 4 months into braces my friend,who I see very often, go "you have braces?" And when you do get caught its a little embarrassing but you'll get over it.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  3. THECW
    Member

    also having your teeth straight before the operation is vital because than the surgeon knows exactly how to give you the perfect placement

    Posted 9 months ago #

  4. RachelM
    Member

    Having stright teeth to look at doens't always mean you have straight teeth in terms of your bite. Mine were pretty straight apart from a gap in my middle top teeth but when I saw my moulds, my top and bottom teeth were both slanted to try and make my bite meet. It's not something you can really see until you have your moulds. If you have an underbite (like I did) your top teeth are probably slanting outwards and your bottom ones inwards but you won't be able to see it just looking in the mirror. The braces prior to surgery will pull your teeth to an upright position so they align when your jaw is realigned. They will be able to keep you teeth straight when they do this. I don't know how. It's orthodontic magic!
    I was told I would need braces for 18 months prior to surgery but ended up only having them for nine. My teeth just moved quickly. It's different for everyone. Some people's teeth can be moved quickly, others take longer than anticipated.
    All the best with your jaw surgery journey. I'm ten weeks post op and no longer have an underbite and it feels incredible!

    Posted 9 months ago #

  5. OpenBite
    Member

    I was told 1 year before surgery by the ortho, and 8/10 by the surgeon. And my ortho said in November there was a 90% of beig ready for surgery, so that would mean 8 months before surgery.
    Good luck!

    Posted 9 months ago #

  6. Malli
    Member

    Hey, thanks so much for your replies!! You've really given me some comfort! :) I'm pretty confident I'll only need them for a year, perhaps less if I'm lucky!! and I'll definitely be looking into getting clear braces or even the ones that go on the back of the teeth, since apart from being impatient, I'm worried about how they will look. ): Oh well, I guess I'll just have to get over my vanity and live with it for a while. ;)

    Posted 9 months ago #

  7. ScedSA
    Member

    Hey, My bottom teeth were really crowded, I got my braces on in June and my ortho says they will be ready to operate in November already. (6 months!)
    I guess it all depends on how your teeth move and what needs to be done.
    P.s. I got clear braces on the bottom and braces on the back of my top teeth - No one has ever noticed them

    Posted 9 months ago #

  8. jawbreaker911
    Member

    I have had mine on since april 2011 so four months, im getting surgery October 25th and I was told they will be on 2 to 4 months more after.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  9. OpenBite
    Member

    @jawbreaker911
    Lucky you! I envy you so much ...

    @THECW
    I had quite straight teeth too before braces, the ortho even asked me whether I had had braces before, but honestly, he is quite bad, he doesn't care anyone, his consulation aq big room with 6 or 7 seats, and he passes by for a minute, tells the nurse what to do and leaves. I hate him. I think that if I had a better ortho, one who is really interested in his patients, and tries to help them with what they need, I'm quite sure I had wore the braces less time and I'd have had surgery sooner. As far, it's going to be 6 months, but I'm quite sure he will tell me to wait two more months to have my surgery done :(

    My advice is to look for a good doctor; someone who listen to you and understand your problems and needs. Good luck!

    Posted 9 months ago #

  10. Brandy Jane
    Member

    I was told 6 months pre-surgery and keep them on for 4-6 months post op.

    Brandy =)
    Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. ~Malcolm S. Forbes
    Posted 8 months ago #

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