Reasons to Get Jaw Surgery
Countless people have asked me why I decided to undergo double jaw surgery (commonly referred to as getting the **** kicked out of your face).
I made my decision for the following reasons:
- I had a desire to chew with all of my teeth, as opposed to only using my very back molars
- I was tired of my slight lisp
- I wasn’t a fan of spitting every time I said anything
- I didn’t enjoy always having my mouth hanging open
- I was keen on breathing through my nose
- I didn’t like the look of my side profile
- I want to avoid future complications
1. Chewing
An underbite generally goes hand-in-hand with a crossbite. Since your teeth fail to line up naturally, you end up being only able to chew with your back molars (the big ones). It makes eating a lot more work.
2. Lisp
Underbites cause lisps in a person’s speaking. It has something to do with how your tongue sits in your mouth.
3. Spitting
When you have a underbite, your lower jaw is heavier, thus hanging open most of the time. Saliva then pools in that part of your mouth, so when you attempt to say something, spittle is flung into the air along with your words.
4. Mouth Hanging Open
Once again, since the lower jaw is elongated and heavier, it hangs open unless you make a conscious effort to keep your mouth closed.
5. Mouth Breathing
Since your jaw is always hanging open, you end up breathing through your mouth instead of your nose, thus missing most of the scent in your life.
It’s sad that someone actually made money with this…
6. Side Profile
Personal appearance affects a person’s confidence in a very real way. When you’re not comfortable with your side profile, you end up smiling less, you try to avoid pictures where you’re not looking straight at the camera, and so on. There’s no shame in wanting to feel good about yourself.
7. Future Complications
People with unaligned jaws are prone to shaving their teeth down and developing hindering cross bites later on in life. While you can never be sure if those things will happen to you specifically, 90 days of recovery is a small price to pay to prevent years of nuisance down the road.
April 28, 2012 at 11:47 am
Hey Graham!
Firstly I would like to say that this blog is incredible. You must hear it all the time, but I bet you don’t get tired hearing it, haha!
Well my story – I’m 19 and I had a Bimaxillary Osteotomy along with a Septoplasty & Genioplasty on April 2nd.
I had my mouth wired shut completely for 10 days and I have a splint on for 4 weeks (I get it out on Tuesday!!!) and wires on for 6 weeks. Even though our situation was different due to the fact that we had different procedures, are different ages and other situational factors it was/is so comforting to know that somebody knows what it is like(and so many others with the comments, it’s like a massive community). My family have been amazing, along with my boyfriend and friends but I don’t think anyone can fully comprehend the entirety of the whole thing unless it is happening to them.
I first went to the orthodontist when I was 8, and around about that age they mentioned (so my mum has told me) that jaw surgery could be in my future. I first went to my oral surgeon when I was 16 and we talked about it and all that jazz, and gave me information about it and thinking back it seemed so far in the future, and now it’s done!
Anyway, it must’ve been the next year I came across your blog and it just told me everything I needed to know and just put me at ease. I always would be like to my Mum “Oh, I read in this guy from Canada’s blog this, this and this” (I’m in Australia) and I would occasionally check it out when I would come from the Orthodontist or an appointment just thinking what it would be like to actually have the surgery done. The days before my surgery your blog was my Bible. When I wasn’t out of it due to all the hardcore medication I would read it and check out what I was in for. My Mum said to me the other day that I should write to you and tell you how valuable I found your blog, and at first I was like “Nah, he gets tonnes of that stuff” but now I think it’s important to tell you, it has been an invaluable source like a friend who makes me feel not quite so alone.
This has been an epic essay (can you tell i’m a uni student? haha practicing filling up spaces with lots of words :P) and sorry if it’s repetitive but I really just wanted to thank you, this is the only blog which basically tells you EVERYTHING!
I havent been able to go back to uni yet because I havnt had any energy, I lost 10kg in 7 days which has really taken it’s toll because now I only weigh 50 kgs… approx 110 pounds?? but i’m gradually getting there 🙂 Your end ‘mugshots’ are my light at the end of the tunnel, even though its not that bad at the moment and I know I still have a way to go, it makes me happy when i get down, which I try not to get like but sometimes its inevitable.
One thing this whole experience has taught me is that patience is a wonderful thing, i’ve become so much more patient. It’s also taught me to slow down and enjoy each day (and every mouthful) and it comes. Every day it gets better and I get more feeling in my face or I find another soft food I can swallow without chewing (yesterday scrambled eggs & today jelly) and it’s all good 🙂
Thanks again, more than words could say.
Emma 🙂
p.s that looks super long… eek! haha hope you had fun reading!! 😛
April 13, 2012 at 9:52 am
Nice to meet you, Stormie.
The fact that the surgery primarily deals with issues outside of the cosmetic realm is indeed difficult to convey to people. As long as the naive judgements of others don’t get to a person, though, it really doesn’t matter in the long run.
I completely understand what you’re going through emotionally. That is definitely a difficult part of the recovery. Having to be more or less mute is an experience many will never have. And when you think about it, we’re still incredibly lucky because we know that, once the swelling goes away, we’ll be able to communicate again just like before. We’re certainly fortunate compared to people who actually must live their life like that.
I hope your life picks up again soon so you can put this all behind you!
April 13, 2012 at 5:39 am
Kind of wish I had seen this blog earlier…. Had my surgery on March 5th of this year. I’m 26 (have had braces off and on since I was 14 because no one could figure out what to do with me)… I’ve spent literally the past five years prepping for this surgery due to military moves and having to acquire new ortho’s and surgeons after our moves. I had a Class II dento/skeletal disorder which required orthognatic surgery to coordinate upper and lower arches… which basically means I was SERIOUSLY jacked up in addition to a group of annoyances that accompanied it: tmj, migraines almost every week that lasted for at least 3 days at a time, sliding bite, jaws would have started to deteriorate by the time I’m 30 (and hell I’m only a few years away). What a lot of people fail to recognize is that this surgery… is typically NOT a cosmetic surgery (something you may have to convince your other drs and insurance company of)… it is to promote the functional use of your jaws. It can be NECESSARY to correct these issues as it was in my case or to be subjected to a HORRIFIC alternative (I like my jaws thanks).
I was prepared for the physical discomfort/soreness. What I really was NOT prepared for, even with tons of research under my belt, was the emotional impact. Not being able to communicate effectively left me devastated most days, especially since I get the feeling my husband used it as an excuse to win arguments. It wasn’t just frustrating for me, it was like my entire day would unravel… add percocets to the mix and the picture is just NOT pretty at all. I was REALLY upbeat a lot of the time and all that jazz… but when you’re in the first couple of weeks of recovery and you’re finding your groove in how to deal with it all, its very over whelming. For me, the worst part was how depressed I would get over the entire thing. And although this type of surgery does not affect everyone the same, it is something other people should be relatively aware of and prepared for when considering this surgery.
April 12, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Look at the bright side, Amanda! Pain goes away with time. Swelling is a minor physical inconvenience. And weight loss is coveted by many!
These first few weeks are going to be frustrating for you, but you’ll be find as long as you have someone to take care of you for the first little while.
Let me know how you’re feeling in a few days.
April 10, 2012 at 9:36 pm
I have my surgery on May 12th and I am extremely nervous for it! I have no idea what to expect besides pain, weight loss, and swelling. =/
February 28, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Stacia, that painless pins and needles sensation is frustrating, isn’t it? It can only mean positive healing is taking place though!
If you survive for another few weeks, you’ll be in tip-top shape for this coming summer!
February 28, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Graham,
I’m soooo glad I found your blog. I just had double jaw surgery Jan 17 and while I’m healing I’m starting to get super frustrated. It’s like I wish I could fast forward time so I can get through it. I’m getting crazy sensations in my chin and it’s like my feeling is coming back in speckles so while there’s no pain, I’m super annoyed!
Your blog has really helped me to put things in perspective and I look forward to reading through your recovery stages.
January 28, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Hi Krista! It’s cool to meet a fellow Canadian!
I had the surgery when I was 25 years old as well, so I can assure you that your body will recover fairly quickly at that age.
Good luck at the end of March and thanks for saying hello!
January 28, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Hi there,
So glad I found this site– I’m scheduled for a double jaw surgery at the end of March, and to be honest I’m very afraid. I’m 25 years old now, and have been considering having this surgery since I was 17. So, last year I finally bit the bullet and got braces and now I’m booked for surgery. The right side of my jaw always locks/clicks and can be quite painful, and my teeth only barely touch in the back on the right side. I’m very nervous for this surgery, but seeing all these people going through exactly the same thing is comforting! I hope that the long-term outcomes from this surgery will be worth the pain 🙂
Thanks!
Krista (montreal, Quebec, CANADA 🙂
January 18, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Hi Clarissa,
My underbite was noticeable before surgery. I don’t have an exact measurement and how protrusive my bite was, but it was enough that it bothered me and made it difficult to use my front teeth for anything useful.
The requirement of a splint seems to be specific to your surgeon’s recommendation. Splints are only ever required if your top jaw must be widened, but not everyone has to deal with them. You’ll have to ask your surgeon.
Braces are generally removed within 6-9 months following surgery. I doubt you’ll be out of braces by September. Christmas is a more believable estimate. Talk to your orthodontist, though. They may make an exception if you’re travelling overseas. =)
January 18, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Hi Graham,
I’ll be undergoing double jaw surgery in Marxhh and I’m so glad I found your blog 🙂 Just wanted to ask, how bad was your underbite before you had the surgery? And under what circumstances would you require a splint?
Also, do you think I will be able to remove my braces by End Sept?I’m intending to go to an overseas university whose school term starts in Oct :/
January 16, 2012 at 1:53 am
Hi Judy! You’ll certainly have a bit of a challenge speaking through the splint, but you’ll sound fairly clear once your swelling dissipated a bit. It shouldn’t be a problem after about 3 weeks.
January 15, 2012 at 10:19 am
Hi Graham I had my surgery Dec 26-11. My lower jaw was moved forward and my upper jaw was moved up and back…The first week was really ruff. Your blog has really helped alot of people including myself thanks for that! I am very nervous going back to work with my splint still in tact because I work in a hospital and will constantly need to talk and interact with my patients. I hope the swelling goes down alot by then and I hope my patients can understand me..Thanks again Judy
January 4, 2012 at 12:01 am
Hi Kate.
First of all, props to you for doing your own research into this scenario. You should never take people’s advice on a whim, especially when you can look things up on the Internet in no time at all.
My stance is that you should only have jaw surgery if you desire it personally. I would never push anyone to undergo this operation unless they expressed their own interest in it.
Things like breathing through your mouth and having a slack jaw are certainly issues, but if they’re not bothering you too much, they may not justify something as severe as jaw surgery. That being said, you also need to think about potential long-term consequences of not fixing your bite while you’re young and able to recover quickly.
My advice is to get a second opinion from somebody unrelated to your current orthodontist. Find another orthodontist and ask them what they think. Ask your surgeon for their honest advice as well. My surgeon was very straightforward with me. For example, when I considering having a second surgery to correct my resultant open bite, he looked me in the eyes and said, “If you were my son, I wouldn’t let you go in for another operation.” I respect those words more than you know.
So there you have it! Find yourself a second opinion, ask about potential long-term consequences (and if they even think they’ll be troublesome), and let me know what you hear!
January 3, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I have my first consultation with a surgeon tomorrow and I’m still not entirely certain I should have the surgery considering it’s such a massive choise.. This might be a long winded question but I was hoping I could get some advice 🙂 I’m 17 and my orthodontist told me that I could get surgery for free, but she didn’t give me any sort of reason behind this- she didn’t mention any of the complications that could come with an underbite or ask me if I’d experienced any of them so I’ve felt quite unsure as to the reasons for my having the surgery, aside from a cosmetic reason of course. I don’t think my underbite is as bad as a lot of the people who commented here – for instance I’ve never really had any trouble eating that I know of, and though it’s something about my appearance I’ve personally always disliked other people tend to suggest it’s vanity..
However I do have a problem with mouth breathing and a slack jaw- I have to make a concerted effort to keep my teeth clenched and I feel like I can’t breathe when I try to breathe through my nose. I always wake up with a dry mouth which isn’t nice. I also sometimes experience jaw pain especially after playing the flute (I think this relates to how I have to adjust my jaw position to blow into the instrument). However, like I said, my orthondontist never suggested any medical reason for me to have the surgery, she hasn’t mentioned or asked me about any of the possible reasons you raised here and it is only since doing my own research that I found out about any of this!
I really don’t know if I should have the surgery—do you think I could develop greater problems later in life if I don’t, such as TMJ or sleep apnea, considering my mouth breathing etc now. Should I tell my surgeon tomorrow about the mouth breathing or is it not really an issue? I would feel vain having surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, but my orthodontist has not once raised any other possible reasons for me to have the surgery. I really am wondering why she suggested I should have it (and get top and bottom jaw surgery FOR FREE) if it was just cosmetic.
Sorry for the long, long, message! Thanks in advance. Kate.
January 2, 2012 at 10:59 am
Hello Neda,
Your boyfriend is 100% right in this case. I honestly recommend taking a minimum of two weeks off of work.
Being unable to talk is only part of the problem. You will be completely exhausted due to the initial healing and you likely won’t be able to handle a full day’s worth of work.
I took two weeks off of work when I had the surgery. When I returned to the office, I could barely make it through the day at first due to headaches and both mental and physical exhaustion.
This is only inconvenient once in your life. Take the full two weeks off (or three weeks if you can manage) and take care of yourself.
Good luck!
January 1, 2012 at 7:49 pm
This blog is great!!! I have my jaw and chin surgery scheduled for the 2nd week of February and only gave myself 4 days off work. I don’t need to get on the phone, all my communication is via email, but I will have to go in an office every day starting day 4. Am I being unrealistic in my ability to manage the uncomfortableness?? My BF thinks I’m underestimating the surgery and recovery time needed. I have a very high tolerance for pain though!!
Thoughts?!
November 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Beezer, this experience should apply to anyone who is having an operation that involve breaking the hinges of their jaw and moving the bone around.
November 8, 2011 at 6:11 pm
would this apply to someone that would have to have jaw surgery bcuz her jaws moves outta place? and has to have surgery to get that fixed?
November 3, 2011 at 12:06 am
Isn’t it nice to be able to sleep through the night again? I remember that being such a relief!