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The openest bite.

(34 posts)
12…4

  1. kefcorp
    Member

    Hi. I'm kind of using this as a placeholder until twelve-ish days from now, when I have my pre-surgery, and then I'll probably start a proper blog.

    Anyhow, I'm Andy, 25, with a severe open bite:



    (yes, that's as closed as my jaw gets)

    Pretty bad. It's compounded by the fact that all of my bottom molars, except for my wisdoms, had to be removed since they basically grew into each other and got messed up as I got older and my jaw grew. It wasn't until I was an adult that I could afford braces; I had the ruined molars extracted and braces put on just under two years ago.

    Open bites are awful. Not only is it hard to eat (I can put all sorts of things between the 'open' ;) ), but also difficult to speak. I also hate the way it looks, like I'm always slackjawed or something. Most of the people in my life claim they can't tell, but is it ever apparent to me...

    Anyway. It's surgery for me! Specifically, a Lefort I to re-position my upper jaw, plus my top wisdom teeth out in order to close my bite most of the way. Then, once I'm healed, I'll be getting implants for my missing teeth, plus my bottom wisdom teeth out.

    It's been a crazy process so far, but thanks to my generous family and my own hard work I'm finally seeing the end of this.

    btw, my surgeon is Charles R Weber, in Olympia, WA. I couldn't find much info about him, but as he has 30+ years of experience, was highly recommended by my orthodontist, is just a really cool guy, and did several 'Case of the Month' things for UW's dental school, I think I'm in good hands.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  2. OpenBite
    Member

    I have an open bite too, and I understand you perfectly when you talk about the difficulties talking an eating. My surgery is the 9th of this month.
    When is your surgery?

    Posted 6 months ago #

  3. kefcorp
    Member

    December 1st. I'm excited! Lucky for me it's an outpatient thing since his office is very well-equipped; since the surgery's first thing in the morning I'll probably be going home by late afternoon or early evening.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  4. OpenBite
    Member

    Wow, lucky you! I'll have to stay there for about 3 days, and spend the first night at the critical care :( But I'm having bi-jaw plus genioplasty I think, I still don't know.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  5. xdianao
    Member

    I had surgery for an open bite. My bite was similar to yours where only my back molars on my right side touched. The pain was awful that it got to the point where I couldn't even finish meals because of the TMJ problems.

    The surgery is definitely worth the time, pain and money.

    They are doing your surgery in the office? I have never heard of that. Will you be wired or banded shut?

    Posted 6 months ago #

  6. Lennie1972
    Member

    I had the same bite as well. Only two teeth that actually made contact. I had the surgery 5 1/2 weeks ago. I heard it's better to have it done like you're having it because you don't have the high hospital costs.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  7. kefcorp
    Member

    xidanao: yeah. The office is right across the street from a huge hospital anyhow, so I guess it isn't much of a stretch that the office has at least that level of equipment. The doctor said I probably wouldn't be banded, but that he won't know that for a fact until during the procedure. I'm prepared for it either way.

    Lennie: how were your results? I'm expecting some pretty dramatic ones. And yeah, the primary reason we agreed to do it at his office was because my insurance wouldn't touch this, and he wanted to help me keep costs down.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  8. Lennie1972
    Member

    Everyday it changes a little bit more (mostly due to the swelling going down). To me, the results are pretty noticeable. It will change your nose so be prepared for that.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  9. ocmama2four
    Moderator

    I'm having surgery the same day as you kefcorp, Dec 1st. Was supposed to be Nov 30th but my surgeon's office called me today to reschedule it. Good luck. They are going to call me Mon or Tues to tell me the appts I need to set up. What is your surgeon going to do at your presurgery?

    I had a 2 piece LeFort 1 that widened my upper jaw 3-4mm, my upper jaw was shortened by 6mm to reduce my gummy smile, pushed back 3mm and tilted up in the back. My lower jaw was pushed back 3mm. Surgery was December 1, 2011
    http://www.jennsjawsurgery.blogspot.com
    Posted 6 months ago #

  10. kefcorp
    Member

    Lennie: Cool. I read somewhere it sort of widens your nose? I hope it makes breathing through it easier, since I've always had trouble with that.

    ocmama: Well, the one I had on Thursday, they just took new impressions since my last ones were from the summer. They also gave me some pamphlets, filled out my leave-of-absence paperwork from my job, and took photographs and measurements. For the next one, they'll be doing everything else, I guess: walking me through the procedure using the models, showing me the expected results, blood tests, etc.

    Posted 6 months ago #

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