Jaw Surgery and Braces

[Keja]

So I had braces around 2 years and got them off in the 10th grade, I have now graduated high school (I'm 18 years old). Today was my last appointment and my orthodontist and they said that my teeth were perfectly straight and look nice but I have an open bite. I started to notice this a while back but I never thought anything of it really..

The orthodontist said that this happened because of the way I've grown over the past couple years and it was nothing I did wrong. He said that this could be resolved with surgery or braces, which I really don't want to do again. He also said to call him back in around 4 years to get them checked out again when my jaw stops growing.

I feel really bad now because my parents spent a lot of money on these braces and they didn't fix what they were suppose to which was my bite, although my teeth do look a lot better than what they were before. When I'm 22, 4 years from now, what would be the best option? To get braces again, surgery, or just to leave them alone? That might seem like a long time away but it really bugs me that they didn't fix it earlier when my dentist sent me to the orthodontist in the first place.

Thanks.

[Sunny]

I'm so sorry the news isn't better Keja, but often these changes don't show up until a particular type of growth occurs, which sounds like has happened in your case. This means that your ortho has worked with what was available to him and corrected what he could, but there was no way he could predict your change in jaw growth, or do anything to prevent this.

You may like to consider consulting with another ortho or two to hear what they consider your options are. If your bones are still not fused, it may be possible to correct your bite without surgery, but as your current ortho doesn't consider this possible, it also may not be able to be done. Still no harm in checking with some other people so you can compare possible treatment plans.

This decision is going to be a tough one no matter what you're told, as to fix an open bite braces (or some type of orthodontic appliances) and/or surgery is needed.

Good luck!

[mikeg]

I would go for the surgery to achieve stable results for the rest of your life.