Both jaws too small?

[Cassis]

Hi,

I've been looking for information online for weeks now without finding any good answers to my question. I hope someone here can give me some clarity as I'm beginning to get a little depressed.

My history:
I had a ~10 mm overbite and some crowding and when I was 15 they removed four premolars and then I had braces for two years. When they came off I was a bit shocked as my face now looked sunken. The teeth were straight and the front teeth weren't angled outwards anymore but it just looked wrong. My chin has always been weak and positioned too far back.

On to the question:
I read somewhere that the distance between the tip of your nose and your front teeth shouldn't be more than 42 mm. That distance is 52 mm on me! I wouldn't worry about the millimeters if it weren't for the fact that I've always thought it looks really weird.

I regret the extractions/orthodontics. Should I have gone for surgery instead?

I really don't understand what the problem is - has my upper jaw always been positioned too far back as well, only the teeth were protruding so I didn't notice?

Or did the braces treatment do something to my jaw that would now require double jaw surgery to correct? That is, move both jaws forward, because the way it is now they're kind of close to each other and I'm not sure there's enough room to just move my lower jaw forward.

Or is it possible to somehow move just the front teeth forward without having to operate on the jaw?

This isn't just a cosmetic problem. I have trouble breathing, jaw and facial tension and my bite just feels wrong and too far back.

Here's a picture of me:


http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/6494/profilj.jpg

[Sunny]

Hi Cassis!

You need to consult with some ortho's and request to see ortho surgeons to have your jaw placement studied.

All ortho's (should) check jaw placement as part of your treatment plan, as this is where 'dental verses skeleton' is diagnosed and treatment options are then able to be discussed with the patient.

It sounds like you were treated as being a dental case, but you think your's is a skeleton case, so you need to have this checked.

My dental problems are skeletal but I won't be having surgery due to the cost, therefore my ortho had to work out how best to 'fix' my bite for the best possible result. This does mean compromise, but for the majority of skeletal patients, this is their best option.

Good luck with your appoiontments!

[Cassis]

If I consult an expert, will they know about facial balance though? I recently saw a picture of a woman who had jaw surgery and I think they moved her upper jaw too far back. I can really see how the angle between the nose tip and the front teeth shouldn't be to big. Do they take this into consideration?

I've been thinking, for the upper jaw, maybe "gummy smile surgery" where you move the upper jaw upwards would be more suitable? Because of the natural angle of the jaw, that might create the effect that I want? Also, does anyone know if that would create more space for the lower jaw to be moved forward? Right now it feels like my lower jaw should be where my upper jaw is right now - at least. I can feel the tension in my face go away when I move it forward to that point.

Found this Youtube video:
YouTube - Surgical Correction of Gummy Smiles

[justjenn]

Cassis,

An expert will know about facial balance. My oral surgeon is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. If you can find one of those, they will definitely know what to tell you.

[cuckold]

Your problem is nothing that you described. That is all plastic surgeon propaganda "weak chin" and "small jaws" for bandaging real problems and making quick bucks.

Your real problem is an orthodontic and nose problem. Your teeth are far too protruded for your over all face. Even if you don't have a malocclusion(underbite, upperbite) does not mean your teeth don't protrude.

Take a look at this image I morphed for you. Notice these 2 changes:
1. anterior nasal spine reduction.
2. reduced teeth protrusion.


Making those 2 changes will result in a stronger more pronounced chin, far more natural forehead to chin facial balance and better defined nose to lip angle. This will also remove that crease between your chin and your lower lip. That crease is there because your teeth protrude too much. The crease would remain there even with a chin implant installed.

Notice that your chin looks larger and no longer weak. I made no changes to your chin. The crease between your lowerlip and chin is also gone. Also, notice the round saggy appearance where your upper-lip and nose meet? That's due to a large anterior nasal spine so reducing that results in a more pronounced chin. And better balance between your forehead and chin. Altering one part of your face effects the over all facial balance on your face.

[Cassis]

How would that help my breathing? I'm pretty sure my teeth and jaws are too far back and my upper lip is slanted inwards. They might be a little bit too far down (gummy smile). Maybe that was a bad picture.