Bite shifting after Braces

[mahon83050]

I had braces from when I was 11-12yrs. old until I was 17 (about 5 years) for a severe overbite. I had to wear the headgear at night and had a retainer to wear during the period and after braces (for about 6 months at night only)

Well, I am now 29 and I noticed my bite seems like it is starting to reverse itself and trying to go back to its original state. My bite still looks decent, but it is not as good as it used to be (when I got my braces off) When I look in the mirror and do a side profile, you can see my chin/jaw is slightly receded and it is throwing off my "facial balance"

My question is: Has anyone else had the same problem? I probably should of been wearing a retainer for the past 12 years to prevent this from happening.

I am just wondering if I need braces again, just a retainer, or at its worst corrective jaw surgery to correct the problem.

 

[Cesare Cardinali]

I think you need to press your mouth closer to the computer screen for us to determine if you need braces again.

 

[Ever onward]

Hey man,

I've been to an orthodontist (spelling?) as I too have an overbite. He said not only do I need braces, but because I have the jaw/chin recede thing that you mentioned, I should have a jaw extension. I guess that involves putting metal extensions inside the jaw? Anyway, he quoted me on surgery for the jaw alone (never mind the braces) as being around 10 Grand.

There is no way in hell I can afford that in the forseable future! So it intrigues me that you mentioned that your jaw was held in place or whatever by the retainer. Maybe I just need a second opinion on this.

Anyway, to your situation. You should just go in like I did for a free consult with an orthodontist and see what he says. Then do me a favor and post what you find out here because as you tell I too am interested in this.

 

[mahon83050]

Hey man,

I've been to an orthodontist (spelling?) as I too have an overbite. He said not only do I need braces, but because I have the jaw/chin recede thing that you mentioned, I should have a jaw extension. I guess that involves putting metal extensions inside the jaw? Anyway, he quoted me on surgery for the jaw alone (never mind the braces) as being around 10 Grand.

There is no way in hell I can afford that in the forseable future! So it intrigues me that you mentioned that your jaw was held in place or whatever by the retainer. Maybe I just need a second opinion on this.

Anyway, to your situation. You should just go in like I did for a free consult with an orthodontist and see what he says. Then do me a favor and post what you find out here because as you tell I too am interested in this.

I noticed you are around the same age as me. Have you had braces before?

They suck, but they are well worth it. When I had them, they were the old-fashioned metal ones. Nowadays, I think they are more subtle looking.

I think by bite shifted because I have not worn a retainer in 10 years. My chin-lower jaw recession is about 3/4 cm recessed. This may not sould like alot, but it is noticeable and I am a bit self-conscious about it. Your lower lip and chin should line up perfectly, if they don't, it causes a facial imbalance.

Like you, I also have no money, since I am a grad student. As soon as I get a full-time job, I am going to make an appointment to see what the orthodontist says. I am not against having braces again if it fixes my problem.

 

[Ever onward]

Nope, I've never had braces before. I always felt too self concious to get them when was younger and now I regret it. You're jaw recede sounds a lot smaller than mine. It personally drives me nuts because people ask me whats wrong all the time because apparently I always look like I'm scowling with the way my mouth naturally sits.

Like I said, I've had one consulation with an orthodontist and the price quote is astronomical. When I get a better job, I will definitely look into getting it done but I want to get a second opinion first.

You have to remember that most of these orthodontists give free consults so I will visit a few of them before I have any work done because I'm not spending that kind of money on just one dr's opinion.

 

[mahon83050]

Nope, I've never had braces before. I always felt too self concious to get them when was younger and now I regret it. You're jaw recede sounds a lot smaller than mine. It personally drives me nuts because people ask me whats wrong all the time because apparently I always look like I'm scowling with the way my mouth naturally sits.

Like I said, I've had one consulation with an orthodontist and the price quote is astronomical. When I get a better job, I will definitely look into getting it done but I want to get a second opinion first.

You have to remember that most of these orthodontists give free consults so I will visit a few of them before I have any work done because I'm not spending that kind of money on just one dr's opinion.

It sounds like you will defintely need orthognathic surgery. However, I think alot of insurance companies do cover the costs because it is also a functional surgery.

Look some internet sites on this surgery, the results are AMAZING. I never knew how much of a role the upper and lower jaws play in facial aesthetics. BTW, I am not trying to make you feel self-conscious in anway, I am just stating the truth.

The truth is, there is hope for you. You can get this fixed if you have the willpower. Just think, if you lived 50 years ago or more, you would be screwed.

 

[Ever onward]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely research that info in the future when I'm closer to having the means to getting it done. You've actually given me hope in that insurance companies might cover it.

Don't worry about making me self concious about it, I'm over that now. It's not like I look like a freak (no one has thrown peanuts at me YET). If you have seen someone who wears dentures, not wearing the dentures, then you have an idea how my mouth rests.

But really thanks for the info! I might actually get it done one of these days!