#bimaxillary osteotomy

[laurenslittlemoments]

I had my bimaxillary osteotomy on the 10th of February 2016. Something I've been waiting years for unknowingly, I'd been waiting for braces to correct my horrible smile of which I was ashamed to show and it turned out I needed both my jaws broken and reset too. It's amazing having a completely new bite. Best thing I've done for myself 😊

[samlikeswinter]

Less than a week until my bottom and top jaw get broken surgically in what is supposed to be a 6-8 hour surgery. Might be absent for a day or two next week, I’ll probably be too busy being in massive amounts of pain/discomfort.  Fun fun fun, also won’t be eating solids for 4-6 weeks.

[smashedupface-blog]

First appointment

This morning at 9am I had my first appointment with my surgeon.

I asked my dentist for a referral on 4th February 2012. It took a while to get up the waiting list, and then I was sent to Seacroft Hospital today.

We discussed what my dentist said, the problems I have faced (TMJ pain, unable to close mouth properly, weak jaw, poor appearance in profile and straight on, receding gums) and the outcomes I want (a working face, and if it looks better then all to the good).

One thing that interested me: the consultant seemed to be as concerned with the cosmetic appearance as the functional issues. I shouldn't have had to live for the past 10 or more years with a rotated sticking out front tooth, a top jaw that's too low down (when I smile fully you see not only massive teeth but loads of gum) and a bottom one that's too far back (weak jaw, double chin despite being slim,). When you add that to the crowding and lack of function? I definitely have a case for surgery.

I wore braces for years as an adolescent, and stuck to the retainer regime afterwards. The original moulds of my teeth were studied by dental schools, as the front teeth were over 11mm out of true. I now know that it is generally believed that >10mm cannot be fixed by orthodontics alone, never mind the subsequent movement of teeth and problems.

So: bimaxillary osteotomy - both jaws need orthognathic surgery. I also need braces for a long time before and a shorter time afterwards. I have been furnished with multiple leaflets. Complications: 1) I need to fix the TMJ pain BEFORE surgery. I grind a lot, apparently, just not often at night, and my back teeth are nearly worn flat - unusual in someone my age. So I have to keep wearing my mouth splint, try really hard to relax generally but particularly the mouth and jaw, take lots of painkillers. Maybe get antidepressants just for this - not just stress, but changing response to pain (it hurts because I have clenched, but then I clench because it hurts...) 2) My front two teeth, because they are so prominent and exposed and I went in for overbrushing when I was younger, are a bit worn and may refuse to move as much as they should.

Next appointment: 20th June with my surgeon's colleague. The orthodontic department need to see me.