Orthognathic surgery for overbite correction
I have an overbite. It's not too bad, but it is somewhat noticeable. Also, the overprojection of the top jaw gives me a slight gummy looking smile.
Until today, I had no idea there even was a surgery to correct an overprojecting top jaw. I though it was just for lower jaw problems, like underbite, or an under developed lower jaw which causes the overbite. My lower jaw is fine. I don't have a week chin at all. The only problem I have is with my top jaw.
Do any of you also have/ have had this problem? Did you have surgery? How was it? How much did t cost? How long was recovery time? Did it change your face shape at all (I read it often does this, for the better)? Did you like the results? Any problems/ complaints?
TIA!
Re: Orthognathic surgery for overbite correction
I had it done a little over two years ago and I don't regret it at all. It changed the shape of my face for the better, definitely. I didn't feel comfortable with my smile (partially because I was in braces for so long during my teen years in a futile attempt to correct my bite) and my top lip was becoming less noticeable because of the way my jaw was setting.
I have awful insurance, so I had to do a medical loan to cover it. I'd have to find my paperwork to tell you an exact price, but it was over 7k, probably closer to 8 (it included the price of follow-up visits, hospital stay, a retainer, etc).
My recovery time was flawed because immediately after, I moved away and was in a really rough relationship. I became depressed and extremely malnourished. But most people don't have an issue with getting proper nourishment with the top jaw surgery, though a mostly liquid diet is highly recommended for the first two or three weeks. I still have issues with feeling parts of my face that were affected by the surgery though. For example, I can't really feel anything right above my canines, because that's where they placed screws. I had major swelling for a couple of months, but again, I was in very poor health. Some people carry minor swelling even longer than that (I did on my right side), but most people don't notice it.
One issue you may have is how your surgeon will want to bind your jaw during surgery, or if it's necessary. According to mine, you either have to have braces (which will up the price, of course) or they will work a metal wire between your teeth, and I've no idea what kind of fee that entails. So that's definitely something to discuss with your doctor when/if you go in for a consultation.
I had very little discomfort after the first week, but if you decide to get it, know that you will be a sight right after. Remember how Helena Bonham Carter's mouth looked in Planet of the Apes? Yeah. That was my face shape after twenty-four hours.
Once the swelling went down though, it was absolutely worth it, because my bite genuinely bothered me. It was a good choice for me because I was young (19), had already been struggling to correct my bite for a long time, and had the best surgeon in the area. If your bite genuinely bothers you, I say go for it, but if it's just a minor thing, then you may want to reconsider, particularly if dancing is your primary income and you don't/won't have enough saved to support yourself throughout recovery. Depending on how/if your jaw is bound and how well your body handles the swelling, you could be out of work anywhere from one to six months, by my experience.