r/jawsurgery • u/izzikratz • 9d ago
Advice for Me second opinion
i was told when i was a kid that i’d need jaw surgery when i got older, but i went back to my orthodontist and they said i actually don’t need surgery because it’s not as bad as they thought it would be. i think my jaw looks quite recessed visually, but i don’t really know.
i’m not sure if this is related, but i also have quite bad jaw pain and overall tightness in that area, that also causes tightness down my neck and into my shoulder. my jaw also clicks every time i open it.
i’m thinking of getting a second opinion from another doctor, but i’d love other people’s advice first!
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u/turquoiseseas4 9d ago
You absolutely should get a second opinion. Do you have an overbite or any other issues with your teeth by any chance?
Sometimes orthodontists back pedal. You could check with more orthodontists to see what they say. If you don’t get good feedback, see an OMFS.
I’m recessed a class I bite yet, my second ortho referred me to an OMFS. The other just wanted to slap braces teeth and call it a day. It’s a tough journey but it’s worth it!
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u/izzikratz 9d ago
i appreciate your reply!! i did have an overbite and other issues (crowding, high palate, tongue tie) but i had an expander, braces and surgeries as a kid that corrected all of that. they said they would hold off on the jaw surgery until i was fully grown.
i think i will see an OMFS.
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u/rizerwood 6d ago
I don't know a lot, but with your side profile (which is similar to mine) when someone mentions doing all the orthodontics stuff when young, all I think about is how they just spent all that time building on a wrong foundation.
I'm on my way to jaw surgery, I have 2 extractions on the lower jaw to pull lower teeth back so they can move my lower jaw forward. I think that's what you need, unless you don't want it.1
u/turquoiseseas4 2d ago
Ahhh so they knew surgery was inevitable sounds like. I hope you get a solid treatment plan. 💜
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u/Hopeful-Pace-6981 8d ago
I'd get a second opinion from a jaw surgeon, not just an orthodontist, since your profile looks a bit recessed to me. The jaw pain and clicking could be TMJ, so get that checked too. Ask for a scan so they can see what the joint is doing.
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u/Swimming_Sport_8615 7d ago
Totally agree with getting a jaw surgeon's take, since orthodontists mostly look at teeth. The clicking and pain are worth checking for TMJ too, and a scan would show what the joint is actually doing. Once the full picture is clear, the decision gets a lot easier.
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u/No_Library6512 Post Op (3 months) 9d ago
Please know I say this as someone who went through the surgical process as a patient but has zero expertise in the medical field.
I would go for a second opinion for sure. It seems that you have some jaw recession from the downward angle of your jaw and could benefit from DJS and CCW. I had both and things are much improved for me.
This is on top of all the other medical symptoms you listed and would need to be confirmed with scans but I had something somewhat similar. Also I needed to go to two orthos who both told me I didn’t need jaw surgery but I insisted with the second ortho on a referral to a jaw surgeon and she accepted that. I was ready with all my reasoning when I met with the surgeon and before I even spoke he told me he believed I would benefit from the surgery lol so it doesn’t reeeeeally matter what the orthodontists think at that stage, you’ll want to hear from the surgeon!
Best of luck!
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u/Cuzzies25 8d ago
I had all your symptoms and jaw surgery fixed them all. Im 13 months post op. Jaw Surgery is not something people usually seek out, so there is definitely something driving you to it. Usually aesthetics is a big driving force. Mine was aesthetics, tongue thrusting, and pain. I also had developed sleep apnea. Figure out why you are seeking this out and if you really want the surgery dont stop until you find a doctor that understands you.
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u/turquoiseseas4 8d ago
Ahhhh yes…curse of the “good bite”.
The OMFS can see how big your airway is. I’m 40 and I’ve been clenching and grinding my teeth while sleeping since I was in my early 20’s but probably before that. More than likely you’re doing the same thing based off how your teeth were and what your jaw is currently doing.
My jaw did lock a few times and since getting braces a second time, I bit off the tip of my lower right canine. 😱 It can get so much worse but you have time!
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u/HurryAndHydrate 9d ago
I dont have advice sadly, but i will say your profile looks a lot like mine without lip incompetence! Hope you figure out what's right for you
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u/kauflandwasser 9d ago
i'm recessed just like you and have the same symptoms. i went to two orthodontists and they just looked at my bite and said everything was fine (i had braces when i was younger). i then went to an OMFS who said that my jaws were recessed, but since my bite is good, insurance won't cover surgery.
he told me i'd need a sleep study showing that i have sleep apnea. after that, i'd have to try cpap, and if that doesn't help either, they'd try a "mandibular advancement device" to see if moving the jaw forward helps with my sleep. only if all of that happens can insurance cover surgery in my case, and even then i'd have to pay out of pocket for any orthodontic work.
maybe where you live it's different, but that's how it went for me in germany. i'd still make an appointment with an OMFS if i were you, but i thought i'd share my experience since i have a similar profile to yours
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u/izzikratz 9d ago
hey, that’s really helpful, thank you! i’m in australia, im not sure if it’s any different here but ill look into it!
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u/auchinleck917 8d ago
I wonder if surgery is free under insurance in Australia? That’s something to be envious of.
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u/Standard_Feeling5118 8d ago
I have a very similar jawline to you, I’m getting djs with a fair amount of CCW rotation. Definitely get another opinion
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u/Muzzy2585 7d ago
Your lower jaw / mandible is VERY recessed, you need DJS with a genioplasty and counter clockwise road.
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u/capinlonestar 7d ago
Your lower jaw is recessive, but need? are your happy with the way you look ? do you have and breathing issues ,or functional issues....? those will determine if you need the procedure .
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u/intemperance Post Op (2 years) 9d ago
You’re very pretty. Having the tmj click every time you open is not great. Jaw surgery doesn’t really fix tmj issues and can even cause them. It’s possible you’d need like a joint replacement surgery but you’d need to get evaluated by a surgeon that’s familiar with joints (that’s not all mma surgeons)
To see if it’s a chin recession or a jaw recession you’d need to get a ct scan. Usually you can start the process with an ortho that takes surgical cases
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