Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Tongue Problems post bi-max surgery

Dear Sir,

In March last  year I underwent a bi-maxillary facial osteotemy to correct a cross bite and severe cant on the right of my mouth. The surgery went ok after 3 attempts and my jaw wired for 6 weeks ! and the positon of the teeth and jaws are fairly good. Prior to the surgery my tongue used to drift into the gap on the right handside where the cant occured and therefore my tongue is no longer asymetrical. It is causing me lot of problems in speech as now the gap is no longer their, the tongue has re-formed leaving it feeling like their is a large mass of tongue on one side of my mouth  (the right side) and is not shaped at the side (like the left side) as it should be, thus catches between my upper and lower teeth when trying to speak. The problem is most annoying, ruining my confidence, affecting my work etc etc (I could go on......)

The surgeons seem to be reluctant to do anything about it as I have been to many appointments since surgery complaining about the issue.I am hoping they will be able to remove the small amount of flesh from my tongue in order to alleviate the problem, Is this possible??? and where can this be done???
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
373693 tn?1324485502
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
My suggestion is for you to first see a speech pathologist.  The problem may not simply be an anatomic issue but rather a neuromuscular problem.  Re-education of the the tongue muscles may completely eliminate your symptoms without the necessary risk of surgery.

Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation.  This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Dear Michael,

thankyou for your information relating to the problems I am having with my tongue post bi-maxillary osteotemy surgery, I have now an appointment to see another surgeon for a second opinion, plus a speech pathologist to look at muscle behaviour, so hopefully I am moving in the right direction.
many thanks....
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Forum

Popular Resources
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.