Jaw reconstruction

[willow74]

I have just been told that i need to have my jaw broken and reset as an orthodontic treatment... ouch !

anyway i wondered if anyone knew of anybody who has had this done?  need some further information

i guess they will then pin it together

errr !

[mr. piper]

 I have had maxilo-facial surgery. including having my jaw broken to reset it. its bloody uncomfortable, but not forever, my cheek bone was much worse. so bite the bullet as they say and get it over with.

[willow74]

oh yes this is the same as what i need to have done.  i put it off as a kid but need it done now

[butter1]

I had this done when I was 15 (now 27).  I had my teeth wired for 6 weeks, very uncomfortable and my face looked like a hamster for the first 3 weeks.  I was lucky that I had it done during the summer holidays... when i went back to school, a few of my teachers didn't recognise me.  I'm pleased with how it looks now, it made my top lip fuller and my whole face changed.  i would advise you to have it done.  I was told if i didn't then I would eventually get arthritis in my jaw when I was older.

I went for a dental check up last year and they took an x-ray.  It looked amazing.  I have micro plates on the top jaw and micro wires coming down from the sides of my nose and micro plates in my bottom jaw.  I looked like something out of robocop.  Of course I have no scars... and never had any trouble.  Occasionally I might get locked jaw for a few minutes if I'm eating something cold etc.  But its definitely worse doing.  Good luck with the soups and build up milkshakes!!! One very good thing is that I lost 2 stones having it done.!

[jno]

why exactly does anyone have to have their jaw broken?

[willow74]

Thanks guys for your help.  its good to know that it is more common than i thought.  i really dont wanna have braces fit though as im 30 now. 

For JNO - i need it done because my bottom jaw is way out of line and miles back from the top set.  i cant say anyone can notice but apparantly its vital it is done.  i only notice it when i bite on my back teeth and the bottom set is miles back. 

[jno]

ouch. Thanks for the answer and good luck, willow74

[flaming]

Depends where in the jaw it is, and how much you need it done as to what your decision is.  I had a maxilliary-osteotomy in the early '70s.  My front teeth stuck out so much that when it was offered on the NH (because it was thought I would have terrible breathing problems later on). I was a bit old then for my particular procedure and of course the methods were different.  Immediately post-op:  my face swelled up;  I had terrible face bruising. The young girl in the next bed who had the same op. had none of that.  We had both had teeth extracted so as to push back the top jaw , so  the teeth were more in line; had to wear a plastic splint for 6 weeks, whereas  two other people in our ward had had the jaw-wiring op. which addressed different tooth misalignment problems.  They were fine but could only intake via straws for a while as they were unable to open their mouths. Even with a splint only it isn't possible to chew so one has to have a lot of liquid or pureed food for that 6 week time - maybe less now.  Stitches self dissolved -no pins.  I was unlucky and allowing for advancements made in face reconstruction of all sorts, I'm sure it will be fine for you. But do ask questions.  I  found out shortly before the op. that a sliver off bone from my hip had to be taken to bolster the jaw-bone. I am sure that particular op. is not done now though.    The effects of any op. can be mitigated by preparing for a month before.  No aspirin  (encourages bleeding).  No drinking or smoking before; the taking of arnica tabs. for 10 days could help avoid bruising; the body must be best possible so as to reduce discomfort.. These days you might be "twilight sedated" only, as everything is  done quickly. General anasthaetic is more debilitating.   Good luck.

[flaming]

I forgot.  I agree with the weight loss angle!  And to mention implanted teeth if certain cases can benefit from those. Expensive, but no jaw-breaking is necessary.

[kaktus]

One of my friends had this done a few years back, what she went trough is similiar to butter1, she had braces on for six month before -  maybe longer, and maybe for wee bit afterwards, I can't remember that. She also lost some weight due to soups and youghurt :0) I'm sure they'll give you lots of delious painkillers, so don't worry too much about pain. Anyway the result is sure to be stunning, at least in was on my friend, she was pretty before and "wow" afterewards! Good luck!