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Jaw Surgery Forums » Pre-Surgery Questions

1. 

   simpson_tiana
   Member

   This is a very helpful site and thank you to all of you in advance. I am in the process of having invisalign and will be completed in about a year. I have realized my teeth are not the major issue that I dislike, it is my jaw. My lower jaw is too far back and I have almost no visible jaw line, and it doesn't look good in my profile. From what I see, my lower jaw needs to be moved forward and my upper jaw needs to also be moved forward and up, if that makes any sense. I do not have any real problems with pain other than a little clicking of my jaw when i open my mouth. Also, although my lower jaw looks very far back from the exterior, inside my mouth my overbite isn't extremely severe.I have a slight overbite and my teeth are slightly crossed, they don't go together perfectly at all and I have an extremely narrow jaw although I don't think that can be fixed.

   My question is would this be worth it to have this surgery for something that isn't causing major problems in my life aside from issues with self esteem? I am happy with my appearance but am always covering up the sides of my face with my hair so as not to show my profile which really looks terrible to me. I can never wear my hair in a ponytail due to this insecurity and am just tired of feeling the need to cover and hide myself. I never thought I would be one to get "cosmetic" surgery but I feel that I would be so much more comfortable if I did this. I am a 19 year old female by the way. Is this surgery too much of a major thing to do it for something that is not causing me pain or is not nearly as severe as what I have seen? Thank you guys so much!

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   justgotgrills
   Member

   That is a very tough question, but a good one. I found myself in the same situation as you. I didn't like my lower jaw; it was too far back. I also didn't like my overjet or my overbite. Like you, I didn't have any pain. I considered the surgery for years. I found myself unable to stop thinking about it. So, I thought maybe I would see if I had some physical problem that might make my decision easier. I was to the point of not doing the surgery if it was just cosmetic. However I am a lot older than you. I had a sleep study done and I did have mild sleep apnea. So, I really did have a physical reason for the surgery not just cosmetic. Because of that, my insurance paid for the surgery. I had the surgery 3 weeks ago this Thursday. So far, I'm glad I did it. The first week is very bad, but after that I felt pretty good. Anyway, you might consider a sleep study if you suspect you have sleep issues. Some people who have a small lower jaw do have sleep apnea. I don't know if I answered your question.

   I also did consult with a lot of different doctors (Family Practice, Ear Nose Throat, 2 Orthos, 2 Oral Surgeons) before I made my decision. I think you are very wise to to ask a number of different people what they recommend. This is a great site to find the answers to a lot of your questions.

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   Angie
   Member

   I totally know where you're coming from as far as a cosmetic and self esteem standpoint. I'm a 24 yr old female having surgery next Wednesday. I'm a little bit opposite of you as I have an underbite and a deficient upper jaw so they'll be moving the lower back and the upper forward. Like you, I don't currently have any pain or major problems and I'm overall very happy with my appearance, except for my jaw. My underbite is a little more extreme but really has caused no problems in regards to pain, just some difficulty biting into something cleanly but thats obviously something I've lived with and could continue to if I wished. So as much as this will help me eat I would say the largest part of my decision was so that I could feel better about myself. I've had the underbite since I was in grade school and have always tried to hide it as well, often coverning my mouth when I smile, laugh, etc. I've always been very self conscious of it when I'm talking to people and feel like others notice it so its definitely affected my confidence and "outgoing-ness" (for lack of a better word :-)

   The surgery is something I've always contemplated. I was much more nervous and apprehensive about it when I was younger. I've found now that I'm a little older I'm much more ready and prepared to go through with it. I'm sure it will all be worth it and I'm so excited to be able to SMILE and LAUGH fully without trying to hide anything. I think you should definitely give it some thought, weigh out the pros and cons, and think about the possiblity of it changing your life ;-) Best of luck, let us know if you have any other questions or concerns, look forward to hearing more on your thought process and decision!

   Angela

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   bexx
   Member

   Well i think you only live once, just go for it and be happy. In years to come you would have wished you did it and it would have all been over. Thats the way i looked at it. I had my opp 7 months ago and my brace is due to come off in july!
   My chin was far back also and my top teeth came down too far. I showed too much teeth. It did'nt cause me pain, but i just could'nt eat a pizza without having to tear at it, or a sandwich etc Because my teeth diddent meet.
   I went to see about getting braces and they said far too much needed doing. I needed an opperation not just braces. Firstly i thought no way. But the more people i talked to said, Just think in a few years time it will all be over and you will regret it if you did'nt do it. Well i done it and i am very pleased! Go for it!!

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   Elaine
   Member

   I had the same situation as Angela. I had a severe underbite that caused me a great deal of woe in terms of self-esteem. I was always reluctant to be taken photos of because my chin often looked huge. I couldn't bite pizza cleanly (I'd tear into a slice like a dog and the entire topping would come off) and chewing most meats was a great hassle. I was also really self-conscious about the way I spoke, like constantly minding how I enunciate my "s". I'd say I had my surgery done 70% for aesthetic reasons and 30% for health. To Simpson_tianna, I'd say do the surgery if you're REALLY uncomfortable with the way you look. I totally understand the feeling of being tired of hiding your profile all the time. Good luck with your decision.

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   jasonc
   Member

   I had a severe underbite and it really upsets me when people I told about my surgery thought that it was purely for cosmetic reasons. I say "I only have 4 teeth that touch!" my underbite is soooooo noticable that it is hard for me to understand why they would think it's cosmetic. I guess having a near perfect bite makes them spoiled and oblivious to issues like mine?

   Anyways, if you NEED the surgery like in my case and do not want to live the rest of your life in your current condition then do the surgery. If you are doing it purely due to self esteem reasons, I would say don't do it, but to me it sounds like you need it more than just based on self esteem. If your bite is out of whack, most likely you need the surgery. Talk to many different orthodontists, dentists, surgeons, allergists, etc and see what they say. Don't jump the gun too quickly, make sure you know you're making the right choice. For me I HAD to do this, but I would NEVER wish for anyone to go through this crap if they didn't have to. It's not the worst kind of surgery to recover from, it's just a pain in the ass haha. Just keep researching and asking questions! You'll make the right choice!

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. 

   simpson_tiana
   Member

   Thank you all so much for your replies, it is truly appreciated. I am going to contact an orthodontist today, I have never seen one because I am doing invisalign through my family dentist. It is hard for me because my parents totally do not support the idea of me getting the surgery. They are doctors and they think it is just way too major and they say there is nothing wrong with my jaw or how it looks, but there clearly is and at least my friends are honest with me about it. I am terrified at the possibility of having this surgery but then I think how much happier I would be after, I just wish I had my family's support.

   Does anyone know if it is possible to widen the jaw during surgery so that it is not so narrow? Also, one side of my jaw is higher than the other, it is asymmetrical, is this possible to fix as well or is it only possible to move it forward or back?

   Posted 1 year ago #
8. 

   Angie
   Member

   Are you talking about widening the upper or lower jaw? I'm not entirely sure about the lower jaw but I know they can expand the upper either through braces/an expansion device (through orthodontist), or a surgical expansion where they split the upper jaw into 3 peices so that they can expand it. I was initially told that I would need a surgical expansion because my upper jaw was not as wide as the lower but they were able to expand it just enough through braces so now I won't need it, whew! :-)

   I also have teeth touching on one side and not the other, so same problem, one side is higher than the other. When they break the upper jaw they are able to also tilt and rotate it to make both sides touch, they will be doing this in surgery for me as well. I think they can also make adjustments with braces afterwards if need be but either way, yes, that is fixable!

   Too bad about your family :-( Thats hard. Maybe you can try explaining to them how it is affecting you and your self esteem? Its hard to convince people that don't have the problem that its something that seriously bothers you. People say the same thing to me, "why would you go through all of that, you look just fine!" Unless they're in your shoes, its hard for them to comprehend. Maybe its something you'll have to do on your own in a few years? Give it some thought, but don't let your fears of the surgery stop you. Like I said I was scared to death thinking about it when I was a teenager, but now that I'm older I'm more prepared and ready to get it done! I know the recovery might not be the funnest thing, but I'm sure its manageable. There are a ton of people that have had or will be having jaw surgery so although it is a major surgery, it's more common that you might think! :-) Hope that helps some!

   Posted 1 year ago #
9. 

   jasonc
   Member

   I've never heard of widening the jaw, but the asymmetry might be possible to fix. The right side of my jaw side is slightly higher than the left, my ortho and surgeon says it should be fixed. Now that I'm out of surgery, I cant really see my bite, but all my teeth seem to be touching near perfect.

   Visit multiple orthodontists (who usually give free consults anyways) to get all their opinions. Make sure you stick with the one you feel the most comfortable with. I drive over a $4 bridge and 30 miles from home, because that ortho so far away is totallllyyyy worth it. Lastly, when you see additional orthodontists, don't tell them what other ortho's said until the very end, because you don't want them to form their opinion based on what the others said, you want THEIRS. I made that mistake with the 2nd ortho I saw and never really felt like her opinion was truly hers. Well hopefully that helps! Good luck!

   Angie, well said! People just don't seem to understand no matter how bad you look. My under bite was sooooo bad, not just because I thought so, but EVERY ortho I saw said I need some kind of surgery. Friends, family, & colleges were supportive, but many or most still seem to think its cosmetic, that is until I showed them my bite. Haha.

   One last thing: I've wanted braces since elementary school, but couldn't because it would have been a waste. X-rays taken every 6 months at the ortho kept showing my lower jaw was growing. All the way until my mid-twenties (where I'm at now). So if this is a factor for anyone out there (bones still growing past adolescence), make sure they are not growing anymore! If they are and you have surgery, you might have to get surgery again when the bones continue to grow years later.

   Posted 1 year ago #
10. 

    Jo
    Member

    Self esteem IS a major issue! I'm not big on cosmetic surgery but remember it's YOUR life girl! ;)

    I'm 19 too and I am getting surgery on both upper and lower jaw (mostly because of function, can't eat or talk correctly at times) but I never really gave my profile much thought... UNTIL I came in to my consult with my surgeon and my ortho team and saw my profile poster size on projector!!

    I was mortified! This is what people see when they look at ME!?? This is NOT how I picture myself! Fyi; I am not a very vain girl but I want to come off as confident and strong when I meet professional people- for college, career and things like that. I kept thinking to myself "How can I ever come off as the person that I am if I am self doubting of how people perceive as me?!?", and "This is NOT me! I KNOW this is not me!".

    I feel like my profile deceives people that I am not who I know I am... If that makes ANY sense, haha. The way my jaw is now; I just don't feel like me. I am NOT the type of person to feel weirded out of how my face looks, how I eat, or look. Heck! I just want to go somewhere without a worry. That's how I am. So I have to fix that. I have my own reasons, I'm sure you have yours. Anyone on this site KNOWS that appearance matters considerably to their jaw surgery and their lying if they say that is not one of the reasons their getting it. Your not alone! ;)

    Myself, I started this process purely because of function. I've worked my WHOLE entire life to make my speech PERFECT (and I mean perfect! haha-even my doctor's are impressed!). I just want to go on with my life without EVER worrying about the way I sound anymore. Eating, I can't eat a sandwich with out difficulty, just not fair. I KNOW this can not be me! So I have to fix it.

    So in the end, you have to ask yourself is this me? Will this make me or break me?

    About the support system, if you want to get it done and you feel strongly about it... DO IT. Tell your family that you are going to get it done and your just want them to be there for you. Luckily for me my mom left it too me, even since I was 14 but I was afraid-and scared, lol. Now I am 19, and she's the one scared! haha. I convince her all the time that this will make MY life better! I say "Don't you want the same thing for me? To make my life better? These 2 years of braces and a little uncomfort will NOT out weigh the rest of my life of being happy.It's worth it." It works every time! :D

    Hoped I helped =D

    Hey!
    I am 19, and I have a Class 3 under-bite.I'm having maxillofacial jaw surgery(the top and bottom jaw surgery)and got my braces 5/21/10.
    Just got news that I "may" start prepping for surgery in October 2011! Great news because I was originally told I'd have braces for 2-3 years!

    Posted 1 year ago #

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