jaw realignment

pandora205

Just to mention that the cost of having this surgery privately is enormous. I may need it due to problems with jaw alignment that will be more pronounced when my orthodontic treatment is finished (due to an enormous overbite and teeth worn away to dentine). The surgeon I consulted said it probably couldn't be done on the NHS, maybe due to my age (I'm in my 50s). Maxillofacial surgery is likely to be around £10k I seem to recall from the consultation I had a while ago... The only possibility of me getting this done cheaper would be for a referral to a teaching hospital - Apparently I'm a very interesting case as I have a number of interlinked problems. I'm not sure how I'd get a referral as I have a private dentist.

I'm just hoping I can manage without surgery. My orthodontist was a little more positive, so we'll see.

samv

Hi Vicki,

I would like to see your before and after photos too, I am thinking of getting this procedure done because I have an overbite but the dentist said my bottom Jaw hasn't grown with my top jaw. But after reading some of these posts, I am having serious second thoughts! : (

Many Thanks

robnye

ok, seeing as i started this thread all those years ago...... i thought i would update it.

now this isnt meant to frighten anyone, but to try and get across that this type of process isnt without its problems....

my daughter was referred for jaw realignment surgery, due to lower jaw jutting and being quite square and top jaw being someway back in 2005, she subsequently had her wisdom teeth out to make room for the jaw changes.... and boy did she swell, but only down one side.... at least she had some idea of when she had jaw surgery.

the surgery was planned for october half term 2006 , to avoid her having too much time of during A levels (1st year), plus two weeks following.

the surguery went to plan, although took 8 hours, i spent a restless night on the chair in her room..... the surgeon even did some plastic surgery ie smarten up her chin and altered her nostrils
she recovered, the brace is now off..... she has just gone back to singing properly..... (previous choir etc, but never went back)

what we found missing, was definite information, but due to everyone being different i suppose its not possible to account for every possible side effect, she even did a leaflet as coursework for english AS level.

she has had a turbulent time in the 12 months following, due to low self esteem, but now she is fantastic and doesnt regret the uncomfortableness of the whole process

she has even comforted and passed information to my middle daughter who is due to have braces fitted (following having several teeth removed)

at the end of the day the final outcome was brilliant, although the journey was far from smooth, i do have some info/photos etc saved on pc at home, so let me know and ill see what i can dig out

loulou123

Samv- ive also had this proceedure done (see earlier post by me!) about a year and a half ago now. I'd say if you need it medically done then go for it, if its purely cosmetical then personally i'd stay away!

The recovey is long and hard, i couldnt chew anything for 12 weeks (although i had complications.) I was on the nhs waiting list for nearly 3 years before even getting my braces on (and i was considered a extreme case) then had the braces on for 19 months then the surgery then another 7 months of braces. It is physically and mentally very stressful and i had to go for orthodontic appointments at least every 6 weeks for the whole time i had braces.

I have also recently found out that the operationhas not been a complete sucess and i now have a new problem with my jaw joint, where scar tissue has formed around the joint and i may have early signs of arthritis in the joint. As a result of this jaw can be very painful and at times i an only open it to the width of one finger.

I did look into having it done privately (purely to reduce the time i had to wait, as it was causing me so many problems) but could not dream of affording the £11,000 i was quoted, (and this was a few years ago) especially considering it would still have been the same surgeon!

Not trying to put anyone off having it done, as i am still mostly glad i went ahead, but would hate to think that anyone had such a large operaton that didnt really need it.

Toothsmith

People do swell a bit with wisdom teeth - especially if they're tricky!

When is the rest of the surgery scheduled?

robnye

loulou123 wrote: »

Samv- ive also had this proceedure done (see earlier post by me!) about a year and a half ago now. I'd say if you need it medically done then go for it, if its purely cosmetical then personally i'd stay away!

The recovey is long and hard, i couldnt chew anything for 12 weeks (although i had complications.) I was on the nhs waiting list for nearly 3 years before even getting my braces on (and i was considered a extreme case) then had the braces on for 19 months then the surgery then another 7 months of braces. It is physically and mentally very stressful and i had to go for orthodontic appointments at least every 6 weeks for the whole time i had braces.

I have also recently found out that the operationhas not been a complete sucess and i now have a new problem with my jaw joint, where scar tissue has formed around the joint and i may have early signs of arthritis in the joint. As a result of this jaw can be very painful and at times i an only open it to the width of one finger.

I did look into having it done privately (purely to reduce the time i had to wait, as it was causing me so many problems) but could not dream of affording the £11,000 i was quoted, (and this was a few years ago) especially considering it would still have been the same surgeon!

Not trying to put anyone off having it done, as i am still mostly glad i went ahead, but would hate to think that anyone had such a large operaton that didnt really need it.

my daughter also had infection in the area of the plates, so had to go back in for a quick op to have them all removed (this was at least 6 months after the initial op)
since then she hasnt looked back

Toothsmith

robnye wrote: »

..........
since then she hasnt looked back

Neck problems??

robnye

Toothsmith wrote: »

Neck problems??

haha.....:rotfl::D

Fork86

Ahhh, all this talk of Billateral Sagittal Split Osteotomies and Rhinoplasties 'almost' makes me want to study again and become a Maxfax surgeon...................... On second thoughts, 5 years at dental school was enough :rotfl:

loulou123

robnye wrote: »

my daughter also had infection in the area of the plates, so had to go back in for a quick op to have them all removed (this was at least 6 months after the initial op)
since then she hasnt looked back

My infection was apparent witin days of the op itself so i had to endure 12 weeks on strong antibiotics, before i could have the metal plate out, exactly 12 weeks after the 1st big op. They could not remove the offending plate before than, as it was in errect holding my jaw together! (although they did say if things got any worse they would have to remove and wire my jaw shut, like the old fashioned way.)

I also only got the on which was infected removed, as the infection was so serious, they did not want to risk the spread by removing the others. So i still have some.

Think my plate removal op lasted about 90 minutes, but i then had to stay in hospital (again) on intravenous antibiotics, so they could be sure the infection would not return.