Aa
Leaving Severe Underbite untreated - no surgery
Hi,
I have a severe non-functional underbite, which orthodontic treatment for 8 years since I was 10 didn't manage to correct. At 18 I was told that I need jaw surgery to fix this problem. I didn't want to do the surgery (and still don't) and so I changed dentists, until i found one which proposed a solution I like. I am now 24. I couldn't eat on my back teeth on either side, because there was a large gap between the lower teeth and the upper teeth. My upper jaw is structurally smaller than it ought to be compared to the lower jaw. Aesthetically however, none of this is visible in the shape of the jaw bone, or in my teeth from the outside. I have found a dentist who made teeth extensions for me for the back teeth on the lower side so that they reach up to the upper ones (3 on each side). Because of this I can eat without moving my lower jaw forward in an unnatural position (to force my back teeth to touch), and am entirely satisfied. I have lived with these extensions for 5 years so far. Obviously these don't last a lifetime and they will need to be replaced from time to time. My teeth are in otherwise perfect health, never had a cavity or any other issue.
My question is - if I refuse surgery for a severe underbite that could not in principle be corrected otherwise - what are the risks that exist for leaving this uncorrected? As I can eat on my back teeth now, and none of this is visible there's no functional or aesthetic deficits. Replacing the extensions every 8 years isn't a problem for me. My question is if leaving the jaw like this can do any damage to the jaw joints in the long term? And if so, what can be done to prevent this damage (like would eating only certain kinds of food help for example? - I suspect avoiding hard foods, not chewing gum, etc. will all help), or to repair it once it occurs? Basically what's the worst that can happen if a severe underbite is left untreated by surgery and what can be done to attempt to prevent this? Thanks!
(I'm asking this question here because my case is quite unique, and it even puzzles some doctors - so I'm looking for suggestions).
I have a severe non-functional underbite, which orthodontic treatment for 8 years since I was 10 didn't manage to correct. At 18 I was told that I need jaw surgery to fix this problem. I didn't want to do the surgery (and still don't) and so I changed dentists, until i found one which proposed a solution I like. I am now 24. I couldn't eat on my back teeth on either side, because there was a large gap between the lower teeth and the upper teeth. My upper jaw is structurally smaller than it ought to be compared to the lower jaw. Aesthetically however, none of this is visible in the shape of the jaw bone, or in my teeth from the outside. I have found a dentist who made teeth extensions for me for the back teeth on the lower side so that they reach up to the upper ones (3 on each side). Because of this I can eat without moving my lower jaw forward in an unnatural position (to force my back teeth to touch), and am entirely satisfied. I have lived with these extensions for 5 years so far. Obviously these don't last a lifetime and they will need to be replaced from time to time. My teeth are in otherwise perfect health, never had a cavity or any other issue.
My question is - if I refuse surgery for a severe underbite that could not in principle be corrected otherwise - what are the risks that exist for leaving this uncorrected? As I can eat on my back teeth now, and none of this is visible there's no functional or aesthetic deficits. Replacing the extensions every 8 years isn't a problem for me. My question is if leaving the jaw like this can do any damage to the jaw joints in the long term? And if so, what can be done to prevent this damage (like would eating only certain kinds of food help for example? - I suspect avoiding hard foods, not chewing gum, etc. will all help), or to repair it once it occurs? Basically what's the worst that can happen if a severe underbite is left untreated by surgery and what can be done to attempt to prevent this? Thanks!
(I'm asking this question here because my case is quite unique, and it even puzzles some doctors - so I'm looking for suggestions).
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Dental Health Community
If you suffer from frequent headaches, jaw clicking and popping ear pain, you may have TMJ. Top dentist Hamidreza Nassery, DMD, has the best TMJ treatments for you.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
