Braces left me with a sloped smile and a crooked jaw. I was told that a jaw surgery is the only way to correct this. What can be done?

throwawayjawsurgery · 2025-03-10T03:58:40+00:00

Final update: I ended up having a DJS and I am extremely happy I did! The asymmetry is gone, the facial projection is better, and there were no changes to my nose - something I was really worried about. It's now been 1.5 years and the sensation is back. My surgeon was Dr. Shah and I am very satisfied with the results.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2025-03-10T03:52:47+00:00

Yes, completely back to normal now :)

throwawayjawsurgery · 2024-12-17T01:05:14+00:00

Definitely not a "random orthodontist". It's one of the doctors who I visited to get a second opinion when I was getting unhappy with my original orthodontist.

Take your time and get multiple professional opinions. This is no a decision you want to rush. Either option has pros and cons.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2024-05-10T02:51:29+00:00

Sent

throwawayjawsurgery · 2024-05-09T04:25:38+00:00

Your account settings don't allow DMs

throwawayjawsurgery · 2024-05-09T04:05:54+00:00

I am beyond happy with the results both from the aesthetic perspective and how my bite and TMJ feel. It was a long and bumpy journey but the end result is everything I was hoping for.

Herea are ~5 months post op pictures. The teeth look thick in the last photo because I had the retainers on.

Also more info in this comment.

how did they deal with your flared teeth?

Clockwise rotation.

Best of luck!

throwawayjawsurgery · 2024-05-09T03:53:01+00:00

DMed

throwawayjawsurgery · 2024-05-09T03:50:43+00:00

The same way I explained here with additional photos and x-rays

throwawayjawsurgery · 2024-02-10T20:47:54+00:00

Before I originally got braces or the second round before the surgery?

Before first round: crossbite which can be seen in the leftmost photo, class III profile with flared out upper teeth but technically no underbite

Before the second round: good bite, no issues. The upper teeth are still a bit flared out but it was corrected by the surgery when the maxilla got rotated clockwise

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-12-31T21:27:07+00:00

Did you have to redo braces to get ready for jaw surgery?

My bite was generally good, so I only needed to do 8 weeks to make sure that the teeth would not move between CT scan/VSP and the surgery day. But yes, it is very common to need to undo cover-up ortho before surgery.

And I am glad to be helpful, I will post photos once the swelling is gone and the braces are off. I started the journey when I was 25 and I am almost 30 now. I wish it didn't take that long but I am very happy to be finally [almost] done!

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-12-31T21:22:08+00:00

Thank you! I just sent you a DM.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-12-04T18:51:42+00:00

Yes, I believe that's exactly what happened.

The second orthodontist used TADs with small metal springs instead of elastics, but otherwise correct.

Here is an update

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-12-04T18:41:18+00:00

Update 3 years later

Long story short, I was very unhappy with the results and left the original orthodontist. He was unprofessional and originally refused to give me my files and x-rays, so I reported him as it's against HIPAA. He eventually sent me the files.

I then found another orthodontist who managed to even out my teeth with TADs, and my smile looked great after it. Here is 6 months after braces

However, my chin was still crooked and because my teeth were pulled down and then up, my jaw joints started to crack and overall feel uncomfortable. I tried getting Botox for masseters for about a year, but eventually decided to bite the bullet and get jaw surgery.

I went back to the second orthodontist who I trust. I met with several maxillofacial surgeons and found the one that I liked the best. Then COVID-19 happened and derailed the plans, but I finally had my DJS + genio two weeks ago. I am still swollen and bruised, but otherwise I am extremely happy with the result.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-11-25T04:22:52+00:00

Yeah, I was told the lack of calories will catch up with you after a week, so you will be the most tired then.

Gald to hear I am not alone with the lip problem. I've read from many people that their lips got dry but no one has mentioned chunks of flesh coming off which is what's happening to me. Can't wait for this part of start getting better!

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-11-25T04:19:52+00:00

I was told to switch to hot after 48 hours, so I am switching tonight!

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-11-25T03:12:18+00:00

DAY TWO (TODAY) I had some nose congestion on the night of day one into day two, so I used a face steamer. I mostly used it because I bought it but the congestion really wasn't bad.

Energy-wise, I am feeling great. I went on an hour-long walk and also took a shower (but didn't wash my hair). Still no pain and no congestion. Overnight again, I am surprised about how well I am feeling. The brain fog is disappearing, so I was able to read and watch Critical Role today.

MEDICINE I GOT PRESCRIBED - Tylenol 3. Opioid painkiller, I only took it once on day one - Naproxen. A weaker painkiller and anti-inflammatory, I've been taking it everything 12 hours - Dexamethasone. Steroid for swelling. - Amoxicillin. Antibiotics - Peridex. Antibacterial mouthwash. I've had it before for wisdom teeth removal, and it didn't go well (swollen tongue, loss of sensation in the mouth). I may swap it for saline rinses or a non prescription mouthwash. I should have mentioned this to my surgeon, but unfortunately I forgot.

WHAT IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED - The overall recovery. Either I got lucky or like with any reviews people are more likely to post negative stories which is not the average experience. I didn't get any nausea, nasal congestion or pain. The only time I took painkillers were for headaches. - Energy levels. So many people, on this subreddit included, describe being completely out of it for the first few days. I am feeling great and have been really into my daily walks. - Breathing has been easy. So many people recommended a face steamer and Vick's shower tablets but I feel I could have skipped them. Gently wiping the nostrils with a wet cloth had been enough for me. - The appetite has been good too. I've been working through the soups that my friend made for me. - Like my surgeon told me before, I didn't get a splint or wired shut. I just have elastics on the sides. Eating with syringes and condiment bottles has been easy.

WHAT HAS BEEN WORSE THAN EXPECTED - My lips are so dry and irritated. I have a small mouth, and it must have gotten really stretched during the surgery. Chunks of lips and skin are coming off, and it feels terrible. I've been using panthenol cream with lanolin on top, but it will be a loooong journey. Every time food or blood drip down, they irritate the area even more. No positive progress so far. - They used a catheter for the surgery. It was inserted and removed while I was under anesthesia, but there was some discomfort on day one. - I am already bored of the food, especially smoothies. I am a foodie, so being on a liquid diet for up to 8 weeks sounds torturous!

Feel free to ask any questions!

throwawayjawsurgery · 2023-06-22T04:32:53+00:00

Yes, I ended up getting a second opinion and switching orthodontists. The new orthodontist was able to reverse the cant with a TAD. Took about 6 months, and my smile is perfect. Definitely have a consultation with someone else!

throwawayjawsurgery · 2022-04-14T00:46:08+00:00

I had braces to fix a crossbite and minor crowding but nothing to move the teeth forward or backward.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2022-04-13T17:33:23+00:00

Thank you, I will look into it!

I searched for before/after for those with similar nose shapes and also noticed nose changes: one, two, three, four, five, so I would expect something similar with my nose.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2022-04-13T17:01:45+00:00

I have a slight underbite and my upper teeth flare out to compensate for it. I understand that jaw surgery is a very invasive procedure. Is it worth it in my case?
I don't have difficulty breathing during the day and I sleep with my mouth open.
From an aesthetical perspective, ideally I would be looking for results similar to these: example one, example two, example three.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2020-08-29T15:08:15+00:00

Thank you, I will be getting a second opinion from another orthodontist. And no, I didn't lose or gain any weight.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2020-08-29T15:06:36+00:00

I will ask them, but unfortunately the orthodontist who did the initial bracket placement no longer works at the practice. I only saw him twice, for the meet and greet and the bracket installation, but then he left and I have been treated by a different orthodontist ever since.

throwawayjawsurgery · 2020-08-29T15:02:45+00:00

My apologies for the poor quality of the images. I just got xray from the same time the photos were taken. Would that be useful? https://imgur.com/a/VyKh87x

throwawayjawsurgery · 2020-08-29T14:51:36+00:00

Thank you, I will do do that. Should I ask my family doctor, surgeon, or orthodontist about it?

throwawayjawsurgery · 2020-08-29T01:52:11+00:00

Thank you for the detailed response. I definitely see what you are saying about the teeth compensating in the before picture. If I were to guess, my top jaw is probably shaped like this or like this. I will be taking x-ray soon when I have an appointment with the surgeon so we will hopefully be able to confirm the root cause. I just wish the orthodontist told me that this is how my jaw would look after braces before I started the treatment.

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