Overbite...NEED HELP!!!!

[jburnham07]

I am 20 years old and have a 3/4" overbite. I had braces when I was about 13and my orthodontist told me that corrective jaw surgery would be necessary. I refused and turned down the operation. It wasn't until about a couple months ago that I began regretting turning down the surgery. So I made another appointment with my orthodontist and he still tells me the same thing. I was all for it until the preparation began. 4 days I ago I had my wisdom teeth extracted and 4 bicuspids removed. Now I have changed my mind again and don't want to have the surgery done. I am completely positive this time. Is there anything else they can do to fix this problem.....especially now that I am missing the 4 bicuspid teeth? I was wondering if I could just have braces and the elastics to pull my bottom jaw forward. Either way I really don't want to have the jaw surgery done......I just need to know if there is anything else I could possibly do so this doesn't mess up my mouth forever. Thanks!

[Trigger08]

I'm just wondering, is it just out of fear that you don't want to have the surgery done or other reasons (cost, inconvenience)? I am 23, and found out 2 weeks ago that I will have to have jaw surgery done about a year or so into my treatment. I was pretty upset when I found out my only 2 options were to have the surgery done, or wear braces for the same amount of time without surgery and still have an overbite. Less severe of course, but still have it.

For me, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how important it was to me and that I was doing this out of my own free will. It is your choice 100%. I am opting to have the surgery done, because I am having treatment done because it is my choice to and I WANT it. Your Ortho should be able to tell you what your options are without the jaw surgery. They probably won't be able to fix it 100%, but if you are willing to settle for less then perfect teeth, that is your choice. And your treatment will most likely be much longer than the surgery route. Are you having Ortho treatment because you really want it? Just from reading your post, it doesn't really sound like you do, that's why I ask.

Good luck in your decision!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome to this forum jburnham!

Due to your age, your jaw has fused and therefore it can't be adjusted without surgery. Braces, powerchains and elastics will close the gaps, and teeth can be moved in the arch, but your jaw can't be changed.

Talk to your ortho about your options. If necessary go and talk to some more ortho's before you you decide on one type of treatment.

Good luck with your research!

[Jeff15]

jburnham07,

Welcome to the boards. Please don't make the mistake I did of putting it off forever. I'm 34 and will be having the surgery soon. I feel pretty good about it.

I think you should consult with an oral surgeon ASAP. They will tell you what to expect. My surgeon told me his patients have good experiences with it, and he's even done the surgery on a 65-year-old who recovered fine. I know it'll be a huge inconvenience and sizeable pain, but I'll be okay. And it's so much easier when you're young. You're still very young, so I suggest you do this now and have the rest of your life to enjoy the benefits. Just cooperate completely and I'm sure you'll do fine.

And if it helps, look up jaw surgery blogs on the internet so you can read about others' experiences with it. The more prepared you are, the better you will feel about it.

Good luck!

Jeff