Re: HELP!! My Jaw is MESSED up!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Lee,

I am in Vegas as well, pre-op. Who was your ortho and oral surgeon?

I am given an option of upper, lower and possibly genio

which will make my face simmetrical post-op or lower only

(advancement) which will fix my bite but will leave me with

a crooked chin - which is crooked already, just will be more

pronounced - several mm off line. I am still weighting if

the symmetry is worth more surgery.

Val

> Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent group.

I

> had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY unhappy

> with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon in

> town. My problems are:

> 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

bite

> is off 2mm to 3mm.

> 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

>

> Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very symetrical.

> My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about one

> whole tooth.

>

> The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer advancement

> on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me it

> is up to my orthodontist

> to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if he

> can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

doubtful)

> my chin will still be off.

>

> Has anyone experienced similar problems?

>

> Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

>

> Lee

> Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Wow!

Lee, I'm so sorry hearing about your troubles. I too, had an

asymmetrical advancement performed on my lower jaw (my right side was

advanced about twice as much the left side). My surgeon used rigid

fixation. A genioplasty was also done. I'm over 7 weeks post op

now and everything is still lined up very nicely.

Was your midline good right after your surgery? Did it gradually

drift off center in the following weeks?

I would tell your surgeon that you are not happy with the results and

that your orthodontist cannot fix your off-center chin. You should

not have to live with something that can be fixed by the surgeon.

You should also thing about seeing a different surgeon if that is an

option.

> Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent group.

I

> had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY unhappy

> with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon in

> town. My problems are:

> 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

bite

> is off 2mm to 3mm.

> 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

>

> Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very symetrical.

> My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about one

> whole tooth.

>

> The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer advancement

> on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me it

> is up to my orthodontist

> to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if he

> can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

doubtful)

> my chin will still be off.

>

> Has anyone experienced similar problems?

>

> Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

>

> Lee

> Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Is it possible to get the two together in the same room with you, and

talk with both of them at once about all this?

I have indeed heard of people whose midlines were corrected, usually

with elastics. But not when their ortho's said they couldn't do it. I

also know of at least one person who had a second surgery to correct

a problem with the midlines.

My midlines are about a half a tooth off from each other, buy my

ortho and surgeon both believe that my jaws are in the proper

alignment with the rest of my face. The midlines are off because I

have lost different numbers of teeth on different sides, and because

my upper teeth are much larger than my lower ones. (Aren't

everybody's?) But honestly, it doesn't bother me. The difference is,

my ortho, my surgeon, my general dentist and my periodontist all tell

me that my bite is fine and functional. Yours are not, I gather.

If you can't get the two of them together, I think I'd want a second

surgeon's opinion.

What does your orthodontist suggest doing? Have you told each of them

what the other has said?

Good wishes to you.

Cammie

> Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent group.

I

> had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY unhappy

> with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon in

> town. My problems are:

> 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

bite

> is off 2mm to 3mm.

> 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

>

> Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very symetrical.

> My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about one

> whole tooth.

>

> The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer advancement

> on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me it

> is up to my orthodontist

> to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if he

> can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

doubtful)

> my chin will still be off.

>

> Has anyone experienced similar problems?

>

> Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

>

> Lee

> Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Is it possible to get the two together in the same room with you, and

talk with both of them at once about all this?

I have indeed heard of people whose midlines were corrected, usually

with elastics. But not when their ortho's said they couldn't do it. I

also know of at least one person who had a second surgery to correct

a problem with the midlines.

My midlines are about a half a tooth off from each other, buy my

ortho and surgeon both believe that my jaws are in the proper

alignment with the rest of my face. The midlines are off because I

have lost different numbers of teeth on different sides, and because

my upper teeth are much larger than my lower ones. (Aren't

everybody's?) But honestly, it doesn't bother me. The difference is,

my ortho, my surgeon, my general dentist and my periodontist all tell

me that my bite is fine and functional. Yours are not, I gather.

If you can't get the two of them together, I think I'd want a second

surgeon's opinion.

What does your orthodontist suggest doing? Have you told each of them

what the other has said?

Good wishes to you.

Cammie

> Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent group.

I

> had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY unhappy

> with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon in

> town. My problems are:

> 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

bite

> is off 2mm to 3mm.

> 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

>

> Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very symetrical.

> My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about one

> whole tooth.

>

> The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer advancement

> on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me it

> is up to my orthodontist

> to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if he

> can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

doubtful)

> my chin will still be off.

>

> Has anyone experienced similar problems?

>

> Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

>

> Lee

> Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Is it possible to get the two together in the same room with you, and

talk with both of them at once about all this?

I have indeed heard of people whose midlines were corrected, usually

with elastics. But not when their ortho's said they couldn't do it. I

also know of at least one person who had a second surgery to correct

a problem with the midlines.

My midlines are about a half a tooth off from each other, buy my

ortho and surgeon both believe that my jaws are in the proper

alignment with the rest of my face. The midlines are off because I

have lost different numbers of teeth on different sides, and because

my upper teeth are much larger than my lower ones. (Aren't

everybody's?) But honestly, it doesn't bother me. The difference is,

my ortho, my surgeon, my general dentist and my periodontist all tell

me that my bite is fine and functional. Yours are not, I gather.

If you can't get the two of them together, I think I'd want a second

surgeon's opinion.

What does your orthodontist suggest doing? Have you told each of them

what the other has said?

Good wishes to you.

Cammie

> Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent group.

I

> had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY unhappy

> with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon in

> town. My problems are:

> 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

bite

> is off 2mm to 3mm.

> 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

>

> Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very symetrical.

> My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about one

> whole tooth.

>

> The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer advancement

> on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me it

> is up to my orthodontist

> to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if he

> can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

doubtful)

> my chin will still be off.

>

> Has anyone experienced similar problems?

>

> Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

>

> Lee

> Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Hi and thanks for the info about your surgery. How is your

bite? Are you having any troubles? And what about the rigid

fixation...so you were not wired shut? Did your surgeon use a

splint?

Just met with my ortho today. He is very reluctant to put me in

bands and try to start moving my teeth. My bite was great pre-

surgery, just back about a whole tooth. If he tries to move me to

line up, my chin will STILL be off. He believes my surgeon had

an " off day " whatever the hell that means!! He thinks my right

condial was not seated, therefore the left side was moved out a

little further to line my bite up. Then when my wires were cut

after 5 weeks, the condial popped up (trying to move back into its

proper position) and now my bite AND midlines are off. This was

from the very day he cut me loose.

What's really upsetting is the surgeon keeps trying to tell me I'm

fine and I look great and my bite is great....trying to sweep it

under the rug and minimize the damage. I've basically lost all

respect for the guy and there's no way I'm going back to him. I've

already had a second opinion and now have the names of 4 other

surgeons in town whom I plan to see. Just trying to gather as much

info as possible right now. Then I'll probably have to make the

hard decision about whether to go thru this ordeal....AGAIN!

Lee

> > Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent

group.

> I

> > had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY

unhappy

> > with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon

in

> > town. My problems are:

> > 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

> bite

> > is off 2mm to 3mm.

> > 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

> >

> > Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very

symetrical.

> > My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about

one

> > whole tooth.

> >

> > The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer

advancement

> > on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me

it

> > is up to my orthodontist

> > to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if

he

> > can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

> doubtful)

> > my chin will still be off.

> >

> > Has anyone experienced similar problems?

> >

> > Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

> >

> > Lee

> > Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Hi Val.

My ortho is Chamberlain, whom I really like. My surgeon is

Dr. Swanson, whom I'm having a problem with!!

Who is your ortho and surgeon? Have you interviewed any others? I

highly recommend getting at least 3 opinions on the surgery.

Especially if you're considering upper and lower AND genio. I also

considered genio, but as it turned out the lower advancement was

enough to take care of my profile. I've heard that upper and lower

is much more complicated and involves longer recovery. The genio is

pretty routine and very little risk. I hope this helps. If you

need any referrals for surgeons let me know. I have about 5 names.

Also, I've compiled a list of questions to ask these guys and I'd be

happy to send that to you as well.

Lee

> > Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent

group.

> I

> > had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY

unhappy

> > with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon

in

> > town. My problems are:

> > 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

> bite

> > is off 2mm to 3mm.

>

>

> > 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

> >

> > Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very

symetrical.

> > My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about

one

> > whole tooth.

> >

> > The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer

advancement

> > on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me

it

> > is up to my orthodontist

> > to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if

he

> > can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

> doubtful)

> > my chin will still be off.

> >

> > Has anyone experienced similar problems?

> >

> > Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

> >

> > Lee

> > Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Hi Cammie and thanks for the info.

They have spoken on the phone about my problems, but with two

different opinions, it's hard to know who to trust. My gut tells me

my ortho is on the money....and my surgeon simply screwed up!!

My ortho is very reluctant to put me in bands and try to move my

teeth. And I don't really blame him. He would be trying to fix

something that didn't need fixing prior to my surgery. My bite was

beautiful before, except I was back a whole tooth. Now my bite is

completely off...when relaxed I don't even come close to any kind of

contact except for one little spot in the back on my right side.

Otherwise, I have to " slide into " my bite. I just saw my ortho today

and he told me even if he could move my teeth enough to correct my

bite (which he doubts) my chin and midlines would still be off.

He's about 99% sure that during the operation my right condial was

not seated, which caused my surgeon to advance my left side more to

line up my bite. When he cut my wires the condial popped back up

(or tried to), pulling my chin to the right and causing my " side

bite " . This is such a drag. I have already seen another surgeon

and have the names of 4 others to consult with. Just trying to get

as much info as possible right now.

Did you have lower or upper/lower? What about genio? Were you

wired shut? how long? Are you experiencing any problems now? Oh,

and how long ago did you have your surgery?

Lee

> > Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent

group.

> I

> > had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY

unhappy

> > with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon

in

> > town. My problems are:

> > 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

> bite

> > is off 2mm to 3mm.

> > 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

> >

> > Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very

symetrical.

> > My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about

one

> > whole tooth.

> >

> > The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer

advancement

> > on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling me

it

> > is up to my orthodontist

> > to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if

he

> > can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

> doubtful)

> > my chin will still be off.

> >

> > Has anyone experienced similar problems?

> >

> > Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

> >

> > Lee

> > Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Sounds like a nasty result, and I am sorry. I hope your ortho, whom

you seem to trust, will help you find someone who can help you get

back on the right track.

I think, and I am not trained, that what you're worrying about is a

condyle, not a condial, should that matter to you.

I had lower advancement by 5 mm, and 3 mm movement to the side. at

the end of June 2002. I was neither wired nor banded when I left the

hospital, and my surgeon used bands only several weeks post op when I

started having pain in the jaw. I did have the wired-in splint for 7

weeks. No genio.

I think my surgery has been a great success. I had a bit of TMJ

trouble before, but the surgery seems to have tended to that, and my

perio troubles are much, much diminished by the improvements to my

bite. Thank heavens!

>

> Hi Cammie and thanks for the info.

>

> They have spoken on the phone about my problems, but with two

> different opinions, it's hard to know who to trust. My gut tells

me

> my ortho is on the money....and my surgeon simply screwed up!!

>

> My ortho is very reluctant to put me in bands and try to move my

> teeth. And I don't really blame him. He would be trying to fix

> something that didn't need fixing prior to my surgery. My bite was

> beautiful before, except I was back a whole tooth. Now my bite is

> completely off...when relaxed I don't even come close to any kind

of

> contact except for one little spot in the back on my right side.

> Otherwise, I have to " slide into " my bite. I just saw my ortho

today

> and he told me even if he could move my teeth enough to correct my

> bite (which he doubts) my chin and midlines would still be off.

>

> He's about 99% sure that during the operation my right condial was

> not seated, which caused my surgeon to advance my left side more to

> line up my bite. When he cut my wires the condial popped back up

> (or tried to), pulling my chin to the right and causing my " side

> bite " . This is such a drag. I have already seen another surgeon

> and have the names of 4 others to consult with. Just trying to get

> as much info as possible right now.

>

> Did you have lower or upper/lower? What about genio? Were you

> wired shut? how long? Are you experiencing any problems now?

Oh,

> and how long ago did you have your surgery?

>

> Lee

>

[Guest guest]

> > > Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent

> group.

> > I

> > > had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY

> unhappy

> > > with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral surgeon

> in

> > > town. My problems are:

> > > 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this my

> > bite

> > > is off 2mm to 3mm.

> >

> >

> > > 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

> > >

> > > Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very

> symetrical.

> > > My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about

> one

> > > whole tooth.

> > >

> > > The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer

> advancement

> > > on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling

me

> it

> > > is up to my orthodontist

> > > to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if

> he

> > > can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

> > doubtful)

> > > my chin will still be off.

> > >

> > > Has anyone experienced similar problems?

> > >

> > > Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

> > >

> > > Lee

> > > Unhappy in Vegas

[Guest guest]

Hi Shiloh weighing in here.

My ortho too waited to put the bands on...when he did the pain was

awful....my midlines were off, my bite open and my chin...oh lord.

My doctor said the surgey went fine (the bottom only and he did a

good job but should have done the uppers.) I thought I was seeing

things, I was so 'wonky' so I forced my dentist to refer me to

another surgeon who said 'what?'

and schedualled me for a correction.

My problem was the surgery corrected an overbite and cross bite

however my bite was invisibly open - ie not open in its bad position

but when moved over into the correct position for the lower the

upper was tilted to far back...

My surgeon didn't want to give me the 'full monty' as I was 2 months

post partum. Also I needed this due to a facial fracture at 14

broke my jaw and my nose so the assymetry will probably always be

there. I intially thought 'relapse' but comparing the molds, x-rays

etc figured nope it was open all along. When I was offered to shave

down my teeth....3mm - they are only 5mm high to solve the issue

nonsurgically I figured second opinion time.

I might add an x-ray on there or a chiropracter your joint maybe out

of alignment due to something else and you don't want them cutting

bone if its a muscle issue etc. You are wise to get your answers

before the braces come off, I so badly wanted to believe something

was in my head....I waited too long and felt really silly pressing

for it...

But my second surgeon is wonderful and really listened to me, I

didn't put down my first surgeon at all, I am just committed to

getting it right this time.

Shiloh

> > > Hello everyone. Just found...and joined....this excellent

> group.

> > I

> > > had lower jaw advancement. Now 10 weeks post and EXTREMELY

> unhappy

> > > with the results. I went to (supposedly) the best oral

surgeon

> in

> > > town. My problems are:

> > > 1. My lower jaw now swings to the right and because of this

my

> > bite

> > > is off 2mm to 3mm.

> > > 2. My midlines (chin) now does not line up.

> > >

> > > Prior to surgery my midlines were great and I was very

> symetrical.

> > > My bite was also excellent, except my lower jaw was back about

> one

> > > whole tooth.

> > >

> > > The surgeon(s) did an asymetrical advancement (a longer

> advancement

> > > on my left side) with semi-rigid fixation. He is now telling

me

> it

> > > is up to my orthodontist

> > > to correct my bite. However, my orthodontist tells me even if

> he

> > > can get my bite corrected (which given how far out I am is

> > doubtful)

> > > my chin will still be off.

> > >

> > > Has anyone experienced similar problems?

> > >

> > > Any advice as to what to do now would be greatly appreciated!

> > >

> > > Lee

> > > Unhappy in Vegas