Any dentists or orthodontists here? Need advice?

[Lovemusic33]

Hopefully I won’t out myself.

Dd is 16 and was referred to orthodontist about a year ago, we went to a clinic who barely looked at her and got offered private treatment or a referral to the hospital as dd’s teeth are quite bad. We took the referral and went in today for what I expected to be preparation to have braces fitted.

Dd has a 12mm overbite and her bottom jaw is significantly smaller than her top jaw. We were told that it would be hard to sort dd’s teeth out as there isn’t enough room in her lower jaw. We were then told she would need surgery involving her jaw being broken and moved forward using pins/plates. We have been referred to a bigger hospital. I was a bit shocked but since being home I have googled and I’m worried sick about the surgery as the recovery time is pretty long. Dd is taking GCSE’s in a few weeks and although surgery probably wouldn’t happen for another year she will be half way through A levels and would possibly need 6 weeks recovery time which could effect her studies. Dd also has ASD and will not cope well with the whole thing, today was bad enough having xrays and moulds taken of her teeth (there were tears, gagging and shaking). She will also need wisdom teeth removing before surgery.

I’m now wondering if I should get a 2nd opinion? If I should allow for Dd to go through surgery? Or if there are other options (even just improving her overbite by 50%)?

The surgery looks pretty awful for what seems to be a small problem. She does have issues with earning, can take ages to eat something small but not issues with breathing or jaw pain. Her teeth are pretty healthy other than her not brushing hard enough.

Any advice?

My son’s overbite was 10mm and, although the block braces were uncomfortable, especially in the first week or two, and it is a commitment (they don’t work if you don’t wear them!) they certainly weren’t dreadful for my son, but he was dead set against surgery and so it was the lesser of two evils. He had to have a few baby teeth removed to be able to start treatment as they hadn’t fallen out naturally.
It is so hard to know what to do for the best when we are trying to help our children make the right decisions but you are obviously a great mum getting as much information as possible to help her make an informed choice.

I had this surgery in my late 20s (should have had braces as a kid but didn't as I didn't like the dentist!) Back in 2008.

My teeth were really out of alignment causing gum and tooth damage. My lower jaw was moved forward 15mm during surgery. I couldn't bite down on my front teeth due to both an over bite and over jet on front teeth and had TMJ pain etc.

I had braces on for 2 years before surgery, then another 18 months after surgery. I also had to have a further 3 minor surgeries to correct unforeseen problems (one 10 years after the main op.)

It's a huge commitment, but has been worth it and if I had to do it again I would (but I'd have it done when younger if possible.)

I actually found the braces harder to cope with then surgery as I had constant ulcers from the wires, brackets and elastics digging into my mouth/lips due to the position of my teeth and they were pretty painful and that was for nearly 4 years!

Hotchoc how was the recovery after the OP? Did you have a lot of swelling and how long did it take to go down? I have seen pictures online but most of them are from top jaw surgery rather than bottom jaw so probably look a lot worse as top jaw is mor work.

I went on compromise because I didn't want surgery. My teeth were fixed with braces as good as they could get. I still have overbite but straighter teeth.

I had this operation done in my 30s. I was in hospital for one night and back at work a week later. Yes there was swelling and some yellow bruising but not that much! The swelling and brusing had completely gone within a week.

TBH the pain etc. was less for that op than the previous one to remove my bottom wisdom teeth!

If she is being offered this on the NHS then I would definitely go for it. It'll cost a lot to have it done later in life!

Thanks Sorrel that’s reassuring. She is having the 2 wisdom teeth out first. She’s been referred to a very good hospital. I think they are going to hold back a bit in hope her wisdom teeth come through to make extraction easier or they will have to dig them out. I had all my wisdom teeth out at once and was quite bruised afterwards.