Jaw Surgery Forums » Post-Surgery and Recovery Questions

Im worried I dont show enough teeth anymore

(12 posts)
  • Started 4 months ago by julietm
  • Latest reply from julietm
  • 2 Members Subscribed To Topic
12

  1. julietm
    Member

    Hi everyone,
    Im hoping someone can help me out here, i really appreciate any ones advice or help.
    I had upper jaw surgery about 6 weeks ago. I had many reasons for having it done (gummy smile, overbite, mouth breathing, discomforts of all kinds) and the Doctor moved my chin forward so it would look more even with the rest of my face.

    I am happy with most of the results, however i am a bit worried because I feel that I dont show enough teeth anymore (when I talk and when I have my mouth open) Before i used to show ALOT of teeth.
    My lips are also really small and tight looking i dont know if anyone else experienced this too?
    The top of my mouth under my nose sticks out a lot too-I asked my Dr. about these things he told me I would show more teeth but I had to wait, and the protruding lip will go down as well. Its not that i dont trust him, but I cant see me showing much more teeth then what I am already showing, it looks pretty much the same as it did right after surgery and im getting scared. Im in my early 20s and I want to look my age (as you get older you show less teeth)
    I know im still recovering and I need to be patient but its hard, and I would just like to know if anyone experienced this and could give me some insight.

    Thanks!

    Posted 4 months ago #

  2. RachelM
    Member

    You really need to wait a minimum of three months before you can start to judge the results of your surgery. I looked really odd for about four months and my lips were doing all sorts of strange things. Six weeks is too early to be judging if your surgey has given you the results you want or not.
    Just be patient and once your swelling has completely gone (which can take up to 12 months remember) and the sensation has started to come back, you'll be able to see if you've got the smile you want or not.
    Just relax, don't worry and take care of yourself to make sure your recovery is as smooth as possible. Easier said than done I know but it really is too soon to start to see your final result. I'm sure your surgeon knows what he's talking about!

    Posted 4 months ago #

  3. julietm
    Member

    Thanks Rachel!
    I know it is hard to be patient and we get worried or nervous that it wont look the way we want it to. I just wasnt able to find any information on not showing enough teeth, or anybody talking about it so i thought I would ask to make sure i wasnt the only one...
    Did your lips look really small and tight? IF so for how long?

    Thanks for your advice!

    Posted 4 months ago #

  4. RachelM
    Member

    my lips were completely crooked, they didn't move and I just looked like I had wind. I couldn't feel anything, was swollen and my lips wouldn't do what I wanted them to. This is how I looked when I tried to smile for the first couple of months

    And this is me now

    So don't worry!!

    Posted 4 months ago #

  5. julietm
    Member

    Thanks for posting those pics...you look fantastic by the way! Very nice smile...I was just abit worried because even when i just sort of have my mouth open comfortably you only see about 2mm of my 2 front teeth so to me it looks alittle silly...But im sure like you said it will get better!

    Posted 4 months ago #

  6. coffeecups
    Member

    Hey juliet :)

    the top of my mouth/lip sticks out under my nose too. I'm like 3-4 months post op now, and granted it has gone down alot... but my upper lip still feels kind of 'thick' if you get what I mean?

    Like when people smile from the sides, their upper lip goes flat against their teeth. Mine is still chunkier in comparison so less teeth show from the side :/

    Also when I smile, I feel like I can't get that big grin like :D :D :D... it's small/demure almost haha.

    Tight feeling has gone down alot though. I'm skeptical it will improve much anymore.

    Posted 3 months ago #

  7. julietm
    Member

    Hey Coffecups
    Thanks for your post, thats pretty much how I feel too. Im 2 weeks away from being 2 months post surgery and I havent seen that much progression, but then again i look at myself everyday and im used to how im looking more and more.
    When i emile i cant get the big grin either, i know how you feel. But even when im not smiling and have my lips open my teeth barely show so im just worried, i really do hope i being showing more and more teeth pretty soon!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  8. knorell
    Member

    When I talk my teeth dont show a lot. Or when I talk too. Before they did show a lot. But it is getting better. I am a little more than 1 month post op. Dont worry, youll be fine!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  9. bracedblogger
    Member

    I am 6.5 weeks post op and was worried about the exact same issue until I spoke of my concern with the Orthodontist. He said he can make my smile show more teeth with braces and he has about 1 to 2 mm of leeway. He also said he thinks once the residual swelling goes away I will most likely like my smile but again if I want it gummier he can do that so not to worry. They do this by pulling the front teeth down and pushing the lower teeth down with braces. It's possible so thought you would like to know you don't have to live with a smile you are unhappy with!

    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 3 months ago #

  10. julietm
    Member

    Thanks for your reply Tara I appreciate it. The only thing is my surgery was a little different then most people's as I got my braces off before the surgery-my Dr is very good at what he does and is one of the only surgeons here able to do surgery that way. So I cant really rely on getting my smile fixed with braces anymore and i dont want them again either obviously. Im just hoping my whole face and mouth starts getting the same flexibility it used to have. Its been 2 months and 3 weeks so far for me and it still sort of looks the same so I am still a tad worried but i realize my face is still a bit stiff...im just impatient.
    You look great by the way- I saw your blog.

    Posted 2 months ago #

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