Anyones dc had dental treatment where their bottom jaw is pulled forward rather than their top teeth pushed back ??

[NervousNutty]

Have just had dd2's first appointment with an orthadontist.

They agreed that she will need treatment in the future and want to see her again in a year as she is only 9.5 and they want her jaw to grow a bit more and some teeth to come through.

Anyway, I was expecting them to say they would remove some teeth and then fit braces pushing her top front teeth back but instead they are saying that although her top teeth do protrude, it looks worse than it is because her bottom jaw is too far back.

They said they will more than likely fit removable plates which will force her jaw forwards to bring both sets of teeth in line. After this she then may still need a brace to push the top two teeth back as currently they sit over her bottom lip.

I am not familiar with this type of treatment and just wondered if anyones ds on here had this done ??? Her got dd to put her jaw in the position the plates should force it into and my first thought was that she will absolutly hate how it makes her look because obviously it changes the look of her face.
Has anyone elses dc had trouble getting used to that ?

Sorry, also mean to add that he has reccomended that dd wear a gum shield during sports or any activity where she may fall on her face or be hit in the face.

Anyone know where I can get those ??

Little bump.

You can get a basic gum shield in a sports shop - they come in a fixed shape, you have to put it in boiling water for about 30 secs & then put it over the top teeth & the child has to bite down to mould it to fit - but IME they never fit very well, & that's with a child whose top teeth don't protrude. You can get one made to fit by the dentist but they cost a lot more.

My son had an appliance to bring his lower jaw forward - it had clips both sides, top & bottom, & he had to put tiny rubber bands over the clips every night so his jaw was gently pulled forward while he was asleep. I think he was about 12 when he had that & it wasn't painful (though was fiddly) - the top braces which force the teeth into different positions hurt more, immediately after each adjustment anyway.

Thanks Ponders, will try the sports shops for the shields.

Did your son only have to wear his appliance at night ??

I had this problem - I wore the brace all day, and it initially was agony. It was removable, but pulled my lower jaw forward, making my head ache by my ears. Once things had eased it was fine, but did affect my speech and confidence. I then had train tracks (I had another brace before this, and teeth removed to make space - I was a mess!)

I now have perfect teeth: my dentist friends at uni always used to want to shake the hands of my orthodontist!

And despite having a nightmare couple of years as a teenager I am really glad I have had them fixed I hope things go ok for your daughter - If they catch her during her growth spurts it will be over much quicker, as it was with me.

My dd has an appliance, she has fast gotten used to it although it did give her a headache at first.

The change to her profile will happen so slowely that you and she will barely notice it. It would be obvious in a photograph where you did a direct comparison but not to the eye of someone who sees her daily.

My major difficulty with it was getting the dentist to explain exactly what the medical reasoning was to have it. They could tell me a lot about the cosmetic but almost nothing about themedical. I am very uncomfortable with telling a young girl that they should have quite major, long term work done for cosmetic reasons. IYSWIM!

I have not heard about using a gum sheild but we have been told she will need a retainer at night until she has stopped growing at 21 ish yo to stop the jaw moving back - and tht she should wear the retainer sometimes even after that.

DD has to wear hers the whole time, except for eating. I think this is standard as the jaw, whilst growing, is quite elastic and will go back if the appliance is onlyin 8 hours a day.

Sorry, sould have said, my dd has taken it in her stride with no confidence issues so far, having said that, her friends are very very supportive and kind so that helps!

Thank you both, thats really helpful.

Dd really really wants this done. She gets bullied over her teeth and absolutly hates them. She cried this morning when I told one of her friend where we were going as she didn't want anyone to mention it

She has asked me if it will hurt and so I honestly said that it may make her head and jaw ache. I had train tracks for two years so I have some idea of the pain.

The dentist has asked me to get her a gum shield asap because at the moment her teeth protrude further than her nose, so if she were to fall on her face then hr teeth would hit the ground first and be badley damaged.
He wants her to wear it for any sports, bike riding etc, anything where she might get hit in the face for fall onto a hard surface.

I have managed to find a good site that explains having an applicance, so have book marked that to show dd later.

Sorry, I have just reread my post and it may have sounded a bit negative - I did have comments etc pre brace so was VERY glad to have my work. There is also a period in secondary school where it feels that everyone has a brace, so from that ppoint view its easier.

Having said that, if you are a geek anyway having major work done does make things hard (but maybe not a nightmare )

I did have to wear a retainer, but only for 12mths afterwards at night, although I kept wearing it for longer

Both my sons have had orthodontic treatment with this problem - DS1 had teeth sticking out at all angles too, so the appliance to bring lower jaw forward was just a part of the treatment. DS2 has lovely teeth, but they did stick out a bit - I thought we would not get NHS treatment for him, but it turned out that he too had his lower jaw too far back and now he has had the lower brace in for about 2 years his teeth look perfect - and he did not have to have anything done to his top set at all - quite amazing really as it seemed so obvious that they were sticking out. DS1 found the 2 braces he had very uncomfortable and a bit painful to start with, DS2 didn't have any problems apart form finding it difficult to speak clearly for the first week or so.

DD2 has had similar treatment. Had to bring her bottom jaw forward and top teeth back. The appliance had to be worn all the time apart from eating and sport where she had to wear a mouthguard. After a year she was able to wear it just at night and six months later at christmas she was able to get rid altogether.

It wasn't pleasant at first and she also found it difficult to speak at first, but it is amazing how she soon got used to it and her teeth are so much better now. She is really pleased that she had it and at fourteen she now feels much happier with her appearance.

The orthodentist waited until DD hit a really fast growth spurt before fitting it so that she only had to wear it for the minimum amount of time.

Good luck with your DD

I had the same problem as a child and should have had the same bottom jaw treatment done but for a variety of reasons never did.

I was often called Bugs Bunny and other such names and had zero self confidence about my appearance throughout my whole childhood, teens and early twenties (in fact until I became a Mum and no longer had the energy to care).

I have always regretted not having the treatment. I still toy with the idea of having it done at this advanced age.

There is a big difference between work that is merely cosmetic (i.e. making someone look nicer) and work that makes someone the same as everyone else. I had a very loving family and plenty of friends and never felt that I was less worthwhile because of my teeth but I dearly wanted to be just like the other girls.

I would say to get the treatment for your daughter as soon as it is advised.

I would also advise that you get a properly fitted mouthguard if at all possible. They cost about £40 at the dentist but there is a lot of research to show that they are far safer and more effective. (I have tried both). You can choose from all sorts of jazzy colours inclduing glittery which makes it all a bit more little girl friendly as well.

Good luck to your DD - I hope it all goes well for her.