Re: Thanks and others 45 years or older??

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynne,

Your friends and family's opinions don't count here as they are not

experts, nor are they the person suffering with the problem. You need

to listen carefully to what your ortho and surgeon are telling you,

and if necessary, get a second, or even a third opinion. I didn't

bother consulting my family, just my husband - he was as well

informed as me since he came to all the consultations with me. He

also came to all my surgeon visits pre and post-op. It was my

decision in the end, but he supported me 150% all the way through.

You will need that kind of support when you do decide, as it's hard

to go through this with people fighting you. They need to respect

that you've done your homework, it's your body, and you've decided

(or not decided) to go ahead with it. My own sister almost freaked me

out when she tried to convince me not to do it, so I know what it's

like. But she quickly came over to my side when she realized I had

more info on it, and that I was determined to go ahead.

I long ago decided to live with my pre-op looks, and never really

gave it a second thought. I wouldn't have done this for cosmetic

purposes, although I don't mind the changes that resulted. I didn't

know I had half the physical problems I did as I'd adapted to them

one way or another. I had a bridge/crown combo replaced finally last

week, and it's the first time since going through all of this that I

finally realize what a proper bite should feel like. It's amazing.

Personally, I did not go for the non-surgical option offered to me as

I didn't think it would be a permanent solution. I wanted to do this

once, the right way. Ask more questions about that 3rd option of

braces only before you go for it.

My palate was widened enough through the use of a removeable

appliance called an ALF and some cranial-sacral therapy to aid the

movement. THen I had fixed braces to prepare me further for the

surgery and post-op for fine-tuning. Personally I was glad not to

have had the surgical palate widening done, although I can't say if

the ALF treatment could be done for large movements or not. I do know

that my surgeon warned me that he might have to do a surgical

expansion along with the upper surgery, and I woke up relieved to

find it wasn't necessary.

Glad I could be of some help! Let me know if you have more questions.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynne,

Your friends and family's opinions don't count here as they are not

experts, nor are they the person suffering with the problem. You need

to listen carefully to what your ortho and surgeon are telling you,

and if necessary, get a second, or even a third opinion. I didn't

bother consulting my family, just my husband - he was as well

informed as me since he came to all the consultations with me. He

also came to all my surgeon visits pre and post-op. It was my

decision in the end, but he supported me 150% all the way through.

You will need that kind of support when you do decide, as it's hard

to go through this with people fighting you. They need to respect

that you've done your homework, it's your body, and you've decided

(or not decided) to go ahead with it. My own sister almost freaked me

out when she tried to convince me not to do it, so I know what it's

like. But she quickly came over to my side when she realized I had

more info on it, and that I was determined to go ahead.

I long ago decided to live with my pre-op looks, and never really

gave it a second thought. I wouldn't have done this for cosmetic

purposes, although I don't mind the changes that resulted. I didn't

know I had half the physical problems I did as I'd adapted to them

one way or another. I had a bridge/crown combo replaced finally last

week, and it's the first time since going through all of this that I

finally realize what a proper bite should feel like. It's amazing.

Personally, I did not go for the non-surgical option offered to me as

I didn't think it would be a permanent solution. I wanted to do this

once, the right way. Ask more questions about that 3rd option of

braces only before you go for it.

My palate was widened enough through the use of a removeable

appliance called an ALF and some cranial-sacral therapy to aid the

movement. THen I had fixed braces to prepare me further for the

surgery and post-op for fine-tuning. Personally I was glad not to

have had the surgical palate widening done, although I can't say if

the ALF treatment could be done for large movements or not. I do know

that my surgeon warned me that he might have to do a surgical

expansion along with the upper surgery, and I woke up relieved to

find it wasn't necessary.

Glad I could be of some help! Let me know if you have more questions.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynne,

Your friends and family's opinions don't count here as they are not

experts, nor are they the person suffering with the problem. You need

to listen carefully to what your ortho and surgeon are telling you,

and if necessary, get a second, or even a third opinion. I didn't

bother consulting my family, just my husband - he was as well

informed as me since he came to all the consultations with me. He

also came to all my surgeon visits pre and post-op. It was my

decision in the end, but he supported me 150% all the way through.

You will need that kind of support when you do decide, as it's hard

to go through this with people fighting you. They need to respect

that you've done your homework, it's your body, and you've decided

(or not decided) to go ahead with it. My own sister almost freaked me

out when she tried to convince me not to do it, so I know what it's

like. But she quickly came over to my side when she realized I had

more info on it, and that I was determined to go ahead.

I long ago decided to live with my pre-op looks, and never really

gave it a second thought. I wouldn't have done this for cosmetic

purposes, although I don't mind the changes that resulted. I didn't

know I had half the physical problems I did as I'd adapted to them

one way or another. I had a bridge/crown combo replaced finally last

week, and it's the first time since going through all of this that I

finally realize what a proper bite should feel like. It's amazing.

Personally, I did not go for the non-surgical option offered to me as

I didn't think it would be a permanent solution. I wanted to do this

once, the right way. Ask more questions about that 3rd option of

braces only before you go for it.

My palate was widened enough through the use of a removeable

appliance called an ALF and some cranial-sacral therapy to aid the

movement. THen I had fixed braces to prepare me further for the

surgery and post-op for fine-tuning. Personally I was glad not to

have had the surgical palate widening done, although I can't say if

the ALF treatment could be done for large movements or not. I do know

that my surgeon warned me that he might have to do a surgical

expansion along with the upper surgery, and I woke up relieved to

find it wasn't necessary.

Glad I could be of some help! Let me know if you have more questions.

[Guest guest]

Thanks again for the advice .

If I do this it will be with surgery to get it done all at once. If they insert

an appliance to widen - the surgery isn't as invavsive but the time to fix it is

much longer. I already have the braces on. I was told upfront that the ortho

could stabilize my bite but not make it perfect without the surgery and it would

be my decision. My husband will support me with either decision and I think I

will keep my mouth shut (literally) around the rest of the family!!

Lynne

[Guest guest]

Thanks again for the advice .

If I do this it will be with surgery to get it done all at once. If they insert

an appliance to widen - the surgery isn't as invavsive but the time to fix it is

much longer. I already have the braces on. I was told upfront that the ortho

could stabilize my bite but not make it perfect without the surgery and it would

be my decision. My husband will support me with either decision and I think I

will keep my mouth shut (literally) around the rest of the family!!

Lynne

[Guest guest]

Thanks again for the advice .

If I do this it will be with surgery to get it done all at once. If they insert

an appliance to widen - the surgery isn't as invavsive but the time to fix it is

much longer. I already have the braces on. I was told upfront that the ortho

could stabilize my bite but not make it perfect without the surgery and it would

be my decision. My husband will support me with either decision and I think I

will keep my mouth shut (literally) around the rest of the family!!

Lynne

[Guest guest]

Well, I'll tell you what my docs told me.

I had an overbite, an overjet and a crossbite. To fix it, they did 20

months of braces, including lower jaw advancement. Post op, I was

neither wired nor tightly banded; i did have a splint wired in. this

varies from person to person, operation to operation and doc to doc,

but I can tell you that my surgeon told me he hasn't banded anybody

in 10 years, and it's his believe that the healing is better and

quicker if you can move a bit, as that encourages the blood flow

which feeds the cartilege and helps it heal.

The key to it is, I think, being able to use rigid internal fixation

(although some docs who use RIF also wire their patients). That's the

titanium screws and plates fastened into the bones. They hold the

bones where they need to be while they heal.

I do think it's a different operation these days, much easier for the

patient, at least in most cases.

Now as to why: For me, the answer was first, to save my teeth. My

bite was so off that my periodontist feared I'd start losing teeth.

Second thing was, for long-term retention. Believe me, I tried to

find a doc who would say don't do it. I found one who said the

possiblity of increasing jaw pain (I was having some signs of TJMD

already) worried him, and my own general physician said he was

concerned about doing the surgery to fix TMJD. But that was not my

reason, and indeed, my surgeon told me the TMJ stuff could get better

or it could get worse.

Main thing, though, was to keep the teeth where my ortho and surgeon

put them. Apparently only fairly recently have they learned about

matching the teeth and the jaws to stabilize them. That's why my

surgeon thinks I relapsed after having had braces as a child.

Surgery didn't change my appearance much, if at all, so it wasn't

cosmetic for me. (I do have a bit more of a chin now, thank you, but

not much!) But the braces sure did!

Cammie

>

> Thanks and I appreciate your input. I don't need the surgery

for cosmetic reasons though my daughter did 9 years ago. I nursed

her through Orthognathic surgery and though she did well I am not

sure I want to do it. She was wired shut for six weeks and my ortho

tells me that a lot has changed in 9 years and they don't do that

anymore?? I would only need my upper done for a Class II Division 1

malocclusion w/a Class I cuspid relationship. I have a transverse

maxillary discrepancy resulting in a bilateral posterior crossbite. I

guess that all means - I have a crossbite!! I need more information

before proceeding. I do have three options..1) a two-piece Leforte

to widen the maxilla. 2) Surgically assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion

or 3) Let the braces try and stabilize as much as possible and do

nothing else.

>

> Everyone I talk to about this tell me NOT to do it. I have gone 45

years this way so why have surgery?? These comments by friends and

family are not encouraging. They make feel like I am wasting my time

trying to fix my crossbite.

>

> Thanks for the comments and listening. Lynne

[Guest guest]

Well, I'll tell you what my docs told me.

I had an overbite, an overjet and a crossbite. To fix it, they did 20

months of braces, including lower jaw advancement. Post op, I was

neither wired nor tightly banded; i did have a splint wired in. this

varies from person to person, operation to operation and doc to doc,

but I can tell you that my surgeon told me he hasn't banded anybody

in 10 years, and it's his believe that the healing is better and

quicker if you can move a bit, as that encourages the blood flow

which feeds the cartilege and helps it heal.

The key to it is, I think, being able to use rigid internal fixation

(although some docs who use RIF also wire their patients). That's the

titanium screws and plates fastened into the bones. They hold the

bones where they need to be while they heal.

I do think it's a different operation these days, much easier for the

patient, at least in most cases.

Now as to why: For me, the answer was first, to save my teeth. My

bite was so off that my periodontist feared I'd start losing teeth.

Second thing was, for long-term retention. Believe me, I tried to

find a doc who would say don't do it. I found one who said the

possiblity of increasing jaw pain (I was having some signs of TJMD

already) worried him, and my own general physician said he was

concerned about doing the surgery to fix TMJD. But that was not my

reason, and indeed, my surgeon told me the TMJ stuff could get better

or it could get worse.

Main thing, though, was to keep the teeth where my ortho and surgeon

put them. Apparently only fairly recently have they learned about

matching the teeth and the jaws to stabilize them. That's why my

surgeon thinks I relapsed after having had braces as a child.

Surgery didn't change my appearance much, if at all, so it wasn't

cosmetic for me. (I do have a bit more of a chin now, thank you, but

not much!) But the braces sure did!

Cammie

>

> Thanks and I appreciate your input. I don't need the surgery

for cosmetic reasons though my daughter did 9 years ago. I nursed

her through Orthognathic surgery and though she did well I am not

sure I want to do it. She was wired shut for six weeks and my ortho

tells me that a lot has changed in 9 years and they don't do that

anymore?? I would only need my upper done for a Class II Division 1

malocclusion w/a Class I cuspid relationship. I have a transverse

maxillary discrepancy resulting in a bilateral posterior crossbite. I

guess that all means - I have a crossbite!! I need more information

before proceeding. I do have three options..1) a two-piece Leforte

to widen the maxilla. 2) Surgically assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion

or 3) Let the braces try and stabilize as much as possible and do

nothing else.

>

> Everyone I talk to about this tell me NOT to do it. I have gone 45

years this way so why have surgery?? These comments by friends and

family are not encouraging. They make feel like I am wasting my time

trying to fix my crossbite.

>

> Thanks for the comments and listening. Lynne

[Guest guest]

Well, I'll tell you what my docs told me.

I had an overbite, an overjet and a crossbite. To fix it, they did 20

months of braces, including lower jaw advancement. Post op, I was

neither wired nor tightly banded; i did have a splint wired in. this

varies from person to person, operation to operation and doc to doc,

but I can tell you that my surgeon told me he hasn't banded anybody

in 10 years, and it's his believe that the healing is better and

quicker if you can move a bit, as that encourages the blood flow

which feeds the cartilege and helps it heal.

The key to it is, I think, being able to use rigid internal fixation

(although some docs who use RIF also wire their patients). That's the

titanium screws and plates fastened into the bones. They hold the

bones where they need to be while they heal.

I do think it's a different operation these days, much easier for the

patient, at least in most cases.

Now as to why: For me, the answer was first, to save my teeth. My

bite was so off that my periodontist feared I'd start losing teeth.

Second thing was, for long-term retention. Believe me, I tried to

find a doc who would say don't do it. I found one who said the

possiblity of increasing jaw pain (I was having some signs of TJMD

already) worried him, and my own general physician said he was

concerned about doing the surgery to fix TMJD. But that was not my

reason, and indeed, my surgeon told me the TMJ stuff could get better

or it could get worse.

Main thing, though, was to keep the teeth where my ortho and surgeon

put them. Apparently only fairly recently have they learned about

matching the teeth and the jaws to stabilize them. That's why my

surgeon thinks I relapsed after having had braces as a child.

Surgery didn't change my appearance much, if at all, so it wasn't

cosmetic for me. (I do have a bit more of a chin now, thank you, but

not much!) But the braces sure did!

Cammie

>

> Thanks and I appreciate your input. I don't need the surgery

for cosmetic reasons though my daughter did 9 years ago. I nursed

her through Orthognathic surgery and though she did well I am not

sure I want to do it. She was wired shut for six weeks and my ortho

tells me that a lot has changed in 9 years and they don't do that

anymore?? I would only need my upper done for a Class II Division 1

malocclusion w/a Class I cuspid relationship. I have a transverse

maxillary discrepancy resulting in a bilateral posterior crossbite. I

guess that all means - I have a crossbite!! I need more information

before proceeding. I do have three options..1) a two-piece Leforte

to widen the maxilla. 2) Surgically assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion

or 3) Let the braces try and stabilize as much as possible and do

nothing else.

>

> Everyone I talk to about this tell me NOT to do it. I have gone 45

years this way so why have surgery?? These comments by friends and

family are not encouraging. They make feel like I am wasting my time

trying to fix my crossbite.

>

> Thanks for the comments and listening. Lynne

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynne,

I didn't really talk about it with my family other than my husband. I

don't see my family often, and nobody really seemed to care much

about it, except my parents. I think it gets boring pretty quickly

for people who aren't going through it. We surgery supporters,

however, don't seem to tire of it! so make yourself at home here.

>

> Thanks again for the advice .

>

> If I do this it will be with surgery to get it done all at once.

If they insert an appliance to widen - the surgery isn't as invavsive

but the time to fix it is much longer. I already have the braces

on. I was told upfront that the ortho could stabilize my bite but

not make it perfect without the surgery and it would be my decision.

My husband will support me with either decision and I think I will

keep my mouth shut (literally) around the rest of the family!!

>

> Lynne

[Guest guest]

I lived for years with my open bite. however, about 2 years ago i

started having problems with my teeth because so few of them touched

that the few teeth that did were getting all the force and they were

cracking and i ultimately lost a tooth. i didn't want to lose

anymore teeth. I'm 52 and about 2and 1/2 weeks post-op for maxillary

osteotomy. i have a splint and bands. Before surgery i thought the

braces alone were doing enough to get more teeth to touch. the

orthodontist however said the surgery was needed to stablilize things-

-that braces alone would not be enough.

So, i would talk to your doctors. If they think you can get a good

result with braces alone--then you might just want to do that.

It's still too early for me to comment about if i'm glad i did this.

this recovery has been much harder than i imagined and if i knew how

just how hard it would be before the surgery, i would have considered

just telling them to do the best they could with braces.

however, i will add that i don't have a spouse or family in the area

so have been alone most of the time which i'm sure added to my sense

of isolation.

>

> Thanks and I appreciate your input. I don't need the surgery

for cosmetic reasons though my daughter did 9 years ago. I nursed

her through Orthognathic surgery and though she did well I am not

sure I want to do it. She was wired shut for six weeks and my ortho

tells me that a lot has changed in 9 years and they don't do that

anymore?? I would only need my upper done for a Class II Division 1

malocclusion w/a Class I cuspid relationship. I have a transverse

maxillary discrepancy resulting in a bilateral posterior crossbite. I

guess that all means - I have a crossbite!! I need more information

before proceeding. I do have three options..1) a two-piece Leforte

to widen the maxilla. 2) Surgically assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion

or 3) Let the braces try and stabilize as much as possible and do

nothing else.

>

> Everyone I talk to about this tell me NOT to do it. I have gone 45

years this way so why have surgery?? These comments by friends and

family are not encouraging. They make feel like I am wasting my time

trying to fix my crossbite.

>

> Thanks for the comments and listening. Lynne