Re: Still Researching.....Dr's in Houston ...and Q's to Cammie, Fiddlesticks

[Guest guest]

Hi Virginia,

Most people do get improvement of their TMJ symptoms after surgery.

Theoretically, having a proper bite will lessen the stress on the

joints. However there are no guarantees. The statistics I've read

say that about 80-85% get improvement, 10-15% stay the same and 5-

10% get worse. I was one of the ones that got much worse

necessitating bilateral TMJ joint reconstruction but my joints were

already pretty bad to begin with. My condyles had degenerated so

much over the years that I went from a purely open bite as a

teenager to an almost 20 mm overbite in my 30's. One of the main

reasons I had orthognathic surgery to begin with was to try to stop

the degeneration in the joints but I was one of the ones who just

got worse despite my surgeon taking all possible precautions. Your

surgeon would be the best one to determine what kind of shape your

joints are in and whether you have a good chance of improvement by

correcting your bite.

I, as well as many other people on this site, have long lasting

numbness. My lower jaw advancement was 18 months ago and I still

have numbness of my lips and chin. I do have tingling and am

gradually getting sensation back even now so I'm sure most of it

will resolve. Other than not noticing if something is stuck on my

chin, it really doesn't cause any problems. For me, even if I didn't

eventually get full sensation back, it would be no big deal. For

Andy it is because he is a trumpet player and it interferes with his

playing but for us, I would say it is a minor inconvenience.

Also my surgeon told me that in addition to age, another big factor

with numbness is the amount of mandibular advancement. The further

the lower jaw is advanced, the more the nerve is stretched and

therefore, the longer it takes the nerve to heal. Nerves heal very

slowly so you can still regain sensation years after the surgery.

I'm not familiar with any surgeons in Texas so I can't help you

there. Everyone's situation is different so the best way to make a

decision is to gather as much information as you can and possibly

talk to several different surgeons about what your options are.

Despite everything, I've never regretted the surgeries because my

joints were degenerating anyway and the surgeries caused the TMJ to

accelerate but I would have ended up in the same position in a few

years anyway. Good luck with whatever you decide.

> Hi Again,

>

> ...its been a couple weeks since I posted last. Yesterday I had my

> bottom braces put on.....my ortho is still recommending surgery.

I'm

> still really scared. After reading Andy's postings, I'm even more

> worried, as my surgery is meant to help my TMJ. Sounds like not

only

> did the surgery cause Andy's TMJ to be worse, but he is also

> suffering from permanent numbness.

>

> But, I am still researching. I read that IrishSmiles, after a

year

> or more post op, has numbness that hasn't gone away. I read that

> fiddlesticks calls her's an " altered sensation " . This information

> really scares me, because it sounds to me like there is alot of

> people with some sort of permanent numbness/sensation issues even

> after long-term post op...especially people who have had the

surgery

> done at an older age....over 40. Cammie, it appears you are an

> exception, and I'm happy it's been good for you. I have read some

> success stories, but alot of them seem to be younger. Am I wrong

on

> this? Does age appear to be affecting people's full recovery.

> Comments are welcome.

>

> My other question. Has anyone heard of Dr. Terry D. in

> Houston. He is recommended for my surgery, and I'm hoping someone

> has heard of him, alternatively, does anyone have suggestions for

> maxillofacial surgeons in Houston.

>

> Thanks so much for everyone's replies.

>

> Virginia