<p>Hi, I wanted to get some advice from anybody who’s had experience with an underbite jaw surgery. I am currently 17, and will have to wait another year to actually get the surgery. Is it true that I need braces for a couple years before I can get the surgery (don’t have braces yet), or can I get the surgery and then get braces? </p>
<p>This is a question best posed to your oral surgeon, because procedures vary quite a bit depending on the exact issue with your teeth and how the surgeon plans on fixing it. But I would say that you must get the braces prior to the surgery - the entire point of the braces is to make sure your teeth are in proper alignment before the surgeon goes in there and starts messing with your jaw. But “a couple years” seems excessive - usually I’ve heard around six months is average for pre-surgery orthodontia.</p>
<p>I have no personal experience with this surgery, however FWIW, there was a girl in my daughter’s high school sport who had this surgery for a fairly severe underbite. She did wear braces for some time before and after the procedure. We saw her a couple of weeks after surgery during the jaw wired shut phase and she did not have any obvious swelling. Ran into her again a few months after the braces were removed and she looked AMAZING. I had to do a double take as I almost didn’t recognize her.</p>
<p>Orgotahpnic? Orgothnapic? I don’t remember that big scary word but I think that’s the jaw surgery my D had. It was a godsend. Forget about the inconvenience of braces. She smiles all the time and loves the way she looks. She had hers at 17 and couldn’t wait. Good luck. the only lingering problem is a very small area on her chin that has little feeling. She literally couldn’t care less.</p>
<p>Two of my daughters have had this surgery. They both wore braces before and after the surgery. Braces are needed to keep the teeth in place during surgery. As expected, they both had swelling after the surgery but it went down within a week. They were both seventeen when they had the surgery. One was in her Senior year of high school and gained so much more self-confidence after the surgery. They both look amazing and can now bite into a sandwich which neither could do before the surgery! It’s well worth it. It’s only natural for you to be nervous but you’ll be happy in the end. Good luck!</p>
<p>Few time ago my friend had Orthognathic surgery for correcting the jaw position as they were not positioned properly. And remember braces are completely different thing and surgeon and orthodontists concerned with your treatment will let you know about braces use, this is not a matter to worry upon. Instead plan your surgery with a qualified surgeon as soon as possible before the problem goes even beyond its correction. Advanced technology and experience makes all this possible in easy way.</p>
<p>My niece had the surgery & is THRILLED with the results (although the recovery was rough). I would imagine that everyone is different, so whether or not you need braces would be something your doctor would have to determine. If you were my child, I would want at least a second opinion, though … I just think that’s a wise idea when it comes to surgery.</p>
<p>Hi :
Can you please share your surgery and recovery experience? And, do you think it’s worth it. Any side effect of the surgery? My son is nervous.
Thanks.</p>
<p>As someone mentioned above there is a fair chance of being left with permanent numbness in the chin or lips (akin to having novocaine). It is a difficult surgery to do without damaging nerves. This makes it extremely important to have a qualified surgeon who has done many of this type of surgery.</p>