jaw realignment

kacie

i know how big it is as i've had a model of my jaw made, but you are tight about my dentist not telling me anything about the surgery - i've moved dentists quite abit, but none that i have seen have mention it.

SparkyG

xxvickixx wrote: »

This should work.

Wow! What wonderful results. You are beautiful:j

You went through a lot of pain and suffering, but I can tell from your posts it has changed your life.

Congratulations:T

Toothsmith

kacie wrote: »

i know how big it is as i've had a model of my jaw made, but you are tight about my dentist not telling me anything about the surgery - i've moved dentists quite abit, but none that i have seen have mention it.

Right then - step 1 is to have a good chat with your dentist.

Spirit_2

An Orthodontist recommended this surgery to my daughterwhen she was 15, and helpfully:rolleyes: suggested it would "improve her profile" and that she would "look much better". As we left the surgery, she told me she was happy with how she looked and that she would never go to the Orthodontist or Dentist again. Unfortunately she stuck with this and it became a no go discussion area.

Last summer at age 20 she registered with a Dentist :j who she felt she could face seeing; they referred to an NHS Orthodontist for an opinion and she was offered a referral for surgery or a partial solution with treatment with a brace. We were delighted that she has taken up the brace option, and that her new dentist and orthodontist have the communication skills that match their technical competence .

I am so glad she knows that being individual and happy in your own skin is more important than a perfect recipe of features.

andrina_nightshade

Spirit wrote: »

An Orthodontist recommended this surgery to my daughterwhen she was 15, and helpfully:rolleyes: suggested it would "improve her profile" and that she would "look much better".

I am so glad she knows that being individual and happy in your own skin is more important than a perfect recipe of features.

It's funny you mention that... When my sister was treated, not a single girl on her ward for over the age of 20. Every single one was a teenager and, as far as I could see, not a single one had anything wrong with them.

I just find it so shocking that the NHS are offering this surgery to everyone willy-nilly when other services are suffering.

I'll give you a personal example: When I was 13, I lost all of my hair. It's never fully grown back - anytime I get a little growth, I wake up one morning and it's all over the pillow. I've had to wear a wig for nearly 9 years, and you know how much help I've got from the NHS towards the cost? Nothing, not a penny. I've seen so many dermatologists, but all they'll ever offer me is a tacky fibre wig which, frankly, looks fake even from a distance. Why is everyone else being offered expensive surgery to correct a minor fault when I'm having to shell out ovwer £400 every year just so that I can go out in public without being humiliated?

I'm sorry if I've lowered the tone of this discussion, but I just want people to know (something even my own sister failed to pick up on) that you can end up with far, FAR worse things than a slightly wonky jaw.

xxvickixx

Please don't think I took the descision lightly. I had to wait 2 years to make sure that I was certain. My orthadontist tried to correct the underbite with braces since I was about 9.
The consequences of not having the surgery in my case was almost certainly arthritis in my jaw before old age. This would have made it even more difficult to eat and who know what other problems.
FYI, the bump on my nose was due to a gang of old girls beating me up and breaking my nose when I was 13 because I looked moody (perhaps due to the jaw???). I was offered on the NHS to have this corrected but I declined. To this day I have not had this "fixed" as I too believe that a set of perfect features is not necessary.
Hope that puts a little perspective on things.

andrina_nightshade

I hope you don't think that my previous post was a dig at you, Vicki, or anyone else who found themselves in a similiar situation. I suffered bullying as well, and I can only sympathise with you. Being a teenager sucks. And I'm not questioning at all your motives for having the surgery - I can see from your photos that it made you much happier in yourself. (and, I hope those who bullied you feel sick with envy every time they see you waling down the street, probably looking 10 times better and happier than they ever will - or is that my inner evil streak coming out a bit much? :rolleyes: )

The people I was taking a dig at are the NHS surgeons who prey on genuine insecurities to justify their own pay packets, while other areas suffer as they're seen as being less glamourous. The point I'm trying to make is just because someone with a fancy degree tells a young girl (like Spirit's daughter, for example) that there's something wrong with her, doesn't meaning they're acting out of alturism. After all, if no-one wants oral surgeries, where does that leave them and partners-in-crime?

I'm just trying to give people the other side of the debate, so to speak. And as i said earlier, I hope no-one feels that I was taking cheap shots at them, it was never my intention and I apologise wholeheartedly if I've caused anyone unnecessary upset.

hethmar

Lovely pics and well done you for seeing it through. My son has a similar prob, his lower teeth stick out beyond upper and as a child he had quite a lot of tormenting because of the way he ate. He had some teeth removed as a child but they were still crowded at the bottom and he did see another dentist at about 16 who suggested realignment. When he returned that dentist had left the practice and the new one said he didnt think it was worthwhile.

As a man I guess its not as worrying as it would be for a girl and he is still gorgeous as far as Im concerned. I was all for him having the alignment back then but now Ive heard just how major an op it is, I dont think I would have wanted him to go through it.

But good luck to you for getting the results you wanted.

Flutter

Vikki, you look beautiful!

You must be so pleased. Thankyou so much for posting.:)

HJCOOL

kacie wrote: »

hi, i want this surgery done, does anyone know who does iot and how much it would cost

Hi Kacie,

I'm glad I didn't read some of the forum messages about this before I had my op!!!! I'm not sure I'd have gone through with it.

It didn't cost me anything to have my bracework and operation done (I'm 42 now) - I had it on the NHS. However, I was on the waiting list for 3 years then in braces for another 3 before the operation. I was told by my orthodontist that they may stop doing these ops on the NHS soon so if you are serious go and see your dentist NOW to get on the waiting list. It will cost thousands otherwise. You can back out at anytime and if you have the bracework done to straighten your teeth that may be enough for you.

It was a major operation but for me not nearly as gruesome as some of the others who have replied. I was lucky but also I think things have moved on greatly in the last few years. It was painful and my face was swollen and bruised for a week or so but I lost LOADS of weight on a liquid diet (yippee!) and had 6 weeks off work to recover. I love the results and only have 8 weeks now before the braces are finally removed. Can't wait.

But you need to be very very serious about having it done. It really is a big deal and unless you are very unhappy with your looks (as I was) then think twice and just learn to be happy with your looks. Otherwise go for it and don't worry too much. I had no tubes for drainage, no numbness, no vomiting. The hospital staff and surgeons were fantastic (Leicester Royal Infirmary).. Hope this helps...