Re: Outcomes after surgery

September 16, 2002

Hi Andy,

Your orthodontist is moving your teeth into a proper post-surgical

position. That means that your bite, and your smile, are likely going

to get worse as you get closer to surgery. It happens to most of us.

The good news is that you wake up in recovery with a pretty nice

bite, and the foundations of a great smile - hiding behind all the

elastic bands and wire, that is.

-john

> Hello All-

>

> I'm going for my surgical consult in 2 weeks and I'm really

starting

> to wonder what I'm going to look like after this. Everyone has

posted

> that for the most part, they're very happy with the way their face

> looks. (I'm really glad and excited for those people!! ) I'm just

> terrified about the fact that even with spacers, my bite is already

> starting to really move and now my smile is already messed up! Has

> anyone had this happen?? I think I may be overreacting, but to tell

> you the truth, I know my face, and something just seems wrong.

Also -

> what about braces, I'm getting mine on next saturday and I've heard

> of " rapid " braces?? What are those?? My Ortho told me that since my

> bite is so bad it'll probably be no less than 12 months to fix it

and

> I doubt I could have something like the faster braces. I AM, on the

> other hand, going with those metal beauties because I heard that

> they're better and stronger. Am I corect? Another thing - how BAD

is

> the numbness?? I knew I would have some after surgery, but quite a

> few of you posted that it took awhile to get rid of it. Is it

> bearable at least? I've got a tentative date for my surgery

sometime

> in May. Thanks so much!!

>

> Take Care,

> Andy

September 16, 2002

Andy

You will be amased at how much your teeth move to begin with. The

thing to remember is that until you are done you really wont know

what the finished product will look like. I dont know what rapid

braces are but I am sure if your bite is bad enough, normal braces

will be the thing to have. I have an underbite and just had surgery

this past Friday to move my lower jaw back. Yes it is very numb but

I am praying for a full recovery from it. As far as braces go, I

have the clear ceramic braces and have not had much of a problem. I

have had them a year and have to have them fixed from time to time

but I think thats normal. Other than being more expensive I am very

happy I got them. Good luck with the consult and get started asap as

it will be worth it.

> Hello All-

>

> I'm going for my surgical consult in 2 weeks and I'm really

starting

> to wonder what I'm going to look like after this. Everyone has

posted

> that for the most part, they're very happy with the way their face

> looks. (I'm really glad and excited for those people!! ) I'm just

> terrified about the fact that even with spacers, my bite is already

> starting to really move and now my smile is already messed up! Has

> anyone had this happen?? I think I may be overreacting, but to tell

> you the truth, I know my face, and something just seems wrong.

Also -

> what about braces, I'm getting mine on next saturday and I've heard

> of " rapid " braces?? What are those?? My Ortho told me that since my

> bite is so bad it'll probably be no less than 12 months to fix it

and

> I doubt I could have something like the faster braces. I AM, on the

> other hand, going with those metal beauties because I heard that

> they're better and stronger. Am I corect? Another thing - how BAD

is

> the numbness?? I knew I would have some after surgery, but quite a

> few of you posted that it took awhile to get rid of it. Is it

> bearable at least? I've got a tentative date for my surgery

sometime

> in May. Thanks so much!!

>

> Take Care,

> Andy

September 16, 2002

I really am amazed at how much my teeth have moved already! I am so anxious to

just get everything done. It's so hard for me being away from my parents. I'm at

MSU and I have to find rides home and make my parents come and get me every time

I have to go to the ortho or (my first visit..) to the surgeon's. Allowing me to

have my car would be a blessing.

I actually have an open bite, and the right side of my jaw grew MUCH longer than

my left. I also have really big problems with my TMJ's. I had an MRI that showed

both were displaced. I went through some other treatment to help, and it did for

awhile. It came back now, and all of a sudden with my teeth movement, it causes

a lot of new pain I wasn't expecting with just spacers alone.

Braces go on next saturday, and my doctor suggested the metal ones for the

simple fact he thinks they will speed things up more for me. Well, I really hope

that's the case. Anyways.. Thanks for your response!!

I hope your numbness goes away!! That's one of my biggest worries too!

Take Care!