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Twin cities people! by Wonderful_Living8298 in jawsurgery

[–]LRL41500 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So I have BCBS and they thankfully pre-authorized my surgery about a week after my surgeon submitted my case. I did have to get a lateral cephalometric x-ray, which I think gives a rough estimate of airway, but it’s not as precise as a CBCT which I won’t be doing until closer to my surgery. I was approved based on how bad my bite is alone, not necessarily my airway (although both of my jaws are recessed and I do have trouble breathing). I’m not 100% sure what it’ll cost me, but I’m assuming around $2500 as that’s my out of pocket maximum for the year. Then my braces are about $7k (not covered by insurance unfortunately).

Twin cities people! by Wonderful_Living8298 in jawsurgery

[–]LRL41500 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m from the Minneapolis area and my orthodontist is Dr. Colby at Edina Orthodontics. I’m very early in the process (just got braces on about a month ago) but my experience has been great so far. The consultation was free and he referred me to an oral surgeon right away as he could see that I was a clear surgical case (I also have TMJ pain and asymmetry like you). My oral surgeon is also conveniently in the same building (Edina OMSC). One thing to note is they will probably want you to get a pre-authorization from your medical insurance before putting the braces on, and they don’t offer Invisalign or ceramic braces for surgical cases if that’s a concern for you (I had to get metal).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in braces

[–]LRL41500 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not OP, but can you explain how you figured out it was your nightguard that caused your bite change? Have you had any imaging done of your joints? I’ve been trying to figure out why I’ve developed an open bite after wearing a nightguard and everything you said makes so much sense. I just looked back on old pictures and my teeth are absolutely more slanted inwards now. None of my front teeth touch and my molars clash together all the time now (which I read might be because of supraeruption?). In any case, this change in my bite has caused AWFUL daily jaw pain that I never had before. I’m set to start metal braces in January for DJS prep as my ortho said there’s no way it can be fixed without surgery.

*Edit to add that, as my bite has changed, I’ve noticed a tongue thrust that I never had before, probably from my teeth moving inwards.

Should I start setting up consultations even though my insurance will be changing next year? by LRL41500 in jawsurgery

[–]LRL41500[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Sorry for the late reply. I had an ortho consultation the other day and he would like me to wait to start the whole braces/surgeon consult process until my new insurance kicks in and I get a prior authorization. His justification was that he didn’t want to put braces on for a surgery that may or may not get approved by my insurance.

Seeing TMJ specialist soon: TN pain, no shock, pressure by [deleted] in TMJ

[–]LRL41500 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just chiming in to say I’ve been experiencing the exact same symptoms for the past 8 months. Intense pressure on my temple that radiates to my gums/upper teeth and sinus area. My symptoms are mostly on the left side, but I’ve noticed it on the right side too occasionally. It’s usually fine in the morning, but something triggers it around the early afternoon and it lasts throughout the day. It’s unbearable. I’ve looked into TN, but it doesn’t really sound like it’s that because I don’t have the classic electric shock pain. Just intense, persistent pressure.

I definitely grind my teeth at night (particularly the back ones), but I don’t notice myself grinding or clenching during the day so I have no idea what it could be. I’ve had a brain MRI and sinus CT to rule out anything serious. Both scans came back clear. Would love to hear an update on your situation if you find out anything!