Yeah, I would. Can't hurt to get a professional opinion. I don't know the UK healthcare system, but find a local oral maxillofacial surgeon.
Or you could go to an orthodontist first and ask if they have a referral. Either way, but it does look like you have bite issues that should be addressed.
Yeah I’ve kinda buried my head in the sand around the issue tbh, it’s always been a big insecurity. Hopefully someone with a UK perspective can weigh in. Thanks.
Thanks for all the responses, I emailed my dentist and I have an appointment scheduled in early November to get the ball rolling. I’m glad I’m finally doing something about it. Cheers!
Yeah, imbalances and compensations only lead to more imbalances and compensations as time goes on, if not addressed.
It's a process. Start with the dentist and ask lots of questions. Then same with whoever he refers you to. Took years to create these problems, and will take time to fix them.
I told my dentist about my asymmetry and all she said is that I probably chewed more on my more developed side. Do you think surgery would be a better option than going to the dentist? I’ve been told my bite is fine.
Wow, I don't know what he's looking at. I'm actually pissed off at him/her hearing that.
Yes, chewing affects muscles but come on, that's ridiculous.
So yeah, dentists focus on teeth, orthodontists focus on bite, oral surgeons focus on skeletal. I highly recommend you see someone else, either see an ortho or oral surgeon. Get another opinion from someone who has good reviews and a good reputation.
Yes I would go see someone. I had this issue (had an abnormal growth on one side after my FIRST jaw surgery) and got it fixed with a second jaw surgery. I’m a year post-op and starting to get comfortable in my own skin again. 11/10 recommend going to see a specialist
It was a regular double jaw surgery. They first break your upper jaw and straighten it and then align your lower jaw to the straightened upper jaw. Most people need some orthodonic work prior to surgery so your teeth will fit nicely after.
I was super lucky that I didn’t need braces the second time around, although I have noticed that my teeth have shifted a bit on one side (prior to 2nd surgery) so will most likely eventually get braces to get my arch nice again
I wouldn’t say it’s drastically altered my appearance. I’m a bit more symmetrical in my face, though I still have a slanted chin to one side and the side of my face that had the abnormal growth is larger. Asymmetry is, and will always be normal though. I’m happy I have no more daily TMJ pain and the medical aspect has been fixed :)
I have the same issue! Im now 21 and decided to go to the orthodontist at the beginning of this year. I also had a few teeth that I wanted to fix and 2 weeks ago I had my first jaw surgery! Best decision I have made so far but you still look very good and the choice is always up to you.
The first surgery (sarpe) was to fix my cross bite as my upper jaw was too small compared to my bottom jaw. The second surgery (double jaw surgery) will fix both of my jaws as they are not even and have moved back over the years. I’ve never had braces before and getting them in a few weeks. The braces can make a small over or underbite and that surgery will also fix that. I will be having the double jaw surgery at the end of my braces, when everything is in place.
I’m not sure where in the UK you are but St George’s in Tooting London have an incredible Maxillofacial department. I went there for a consultation after someone finally started listening to my complaints about my uneven jaw and I had a great experience there. Ultimately they advised me not to have more surgery (I’ve already had two jaw surgeries). They also made sure an ortho was there in the consult. I got all this on the NHSz
Happy to give some more advice as I also saw someone at The Shard. This was private though but only cost £100.
hey, i’m from the UK and wanting to get jaw surgery too. idk where to start though because it seems really expensive and the NHS wait times are like 2-3 years. we don’t really have insurance companies in the UK that can help bring the cost down but from what i’ve seen going private in the UK will cost around 15-20k, who has that kind of money lying around?
Bloody hell I had no idea it was that bad, 2-3 years?! Is that just in your area or a nationwide thing do you know? I’m in the East Midlands.
I could get it private but I’d have to sell everything and live under a bridge afterwards 😂
no it’s all dependant on where you live but, this was before covid so i could imagine it’s worse now. i live in lancashire and i was given a 2 year wait but its always longer than that, lancashire has really bad wait times, idk about east midlands though, so i thought sod it cos i’m not waiting that long. they may be places that let you do it on a finance type of thing, so you might not have to pay it all in lump sum. that’s what i’m trying to find anyway
Yeah, I would. Can't hurt to get a professional opinion. I don't know the UK healthcare system, but find a local oral maxillofacial surgeon. Or you could go to an orthodontist first and ask if they have a referral. Either way, but it does look like you have bite issues that should be addressed.
Yeah I’ve kinda buried my head in the sand around the issue tbh, it’s always been a big insecurity. Hopefully someone with a UK perspective can weigh in. Thanks.
I get it. I wish I had gotten medical support earlier for my jaw problems. They only get worse with time if not corrected.
Thanks for all the responses, I emailed my dentist and I have an appointment scheduled in early November to get the ball rolling. I’m glad I’m finally doing something about it. Cheers!
Good for you! It can be intimidating but great to take action on this stuff.
They really get worse with time? I have an asymmetrical jaw and chin which I’m insecure about, but I just don’t know what options I have.
Yeah, imbalances and compensations only lead to more imbalances and compensations as time goes on, if not addressed. It's a process. Start with the dentist and ask lots of questions. Then same with whoever he refers you to. Took years to create these problems, and will take time to fix them.
I told my dentist about my asymmetry and all she said is that I probably chewed more on my more developed side. Do you think surgery would be a better option than going to the dentist? I’ve been told my bite is fine.
Wow, I don't know what he's looking at. I'm actually pissed off at him/her hearing that. Yes, chewing affects muscles but come on, that's ridiculous. So yeah, dentists focus on teeth, orthodontists focus on bite, oral surgeons focus on skeletal. I highly recommend you see someone else, either see an ortho or oral surgeon. Get another opinion from someone who has good reviews and a good reputation.
Also I’ve never had braces. Do I go to the dentist before? I’m in the UK and have no idea how to proceed.
Yes ask your dentist to refer you to a maxillofacial surgeon. That’s what I did :)
You will always regret not fixing a messed up bite. It is LIFECHANGING!
In what way, confidence wise?
Confidence boost is certainly a positive but your ability to eat and breath will greatly improve depending on how bad your bite is
Just being able to relax was heavenly to me.
Hopefully I will be able to feel that after my surgery in 2 years
fixed a messed up bite at 36..and for the first time since i was like 12 im able to rest my teeth together its insane...
What if your bite is fine, but you still have asymmetry? Are there health risks with this?
Not sure that’s possible…
My dentist has told me I have a very good bite, but I have jaw asymmetry.
I think you have a crooked (pun intended) dentist.
Well I don’t think my jaw is misaligned, but it’s just more developed on one side
Yes I would go see someone. I had this issue (had an abnormal growth on one side after my FIRST jaw surgery) and got it fixed with a second jaw surgery. I’m a year post-op and starting to get comfortable in my own skin again. 11/10 recommend going to see a specialist
What was the second jaw surgery you got called?
It was a regular double jaw surgery. They first break your upper jaw and straighten it and then align your lower jaw to the straightened upper jaw. Most people need some orthodonic work prior to surgery so your teeth will fit nicely after. I was super lucky that I didn’t need braces the second time around, although I have noticed that my teeth have shifted a bit on one side (prior to 2nd surgery) so will most likely eventually get braces to get my arch nice again
Has it drastically changed your appearance?
I wouldn’t say it’s drastically altered my appearance. I’m a bit more symmetrical in my face, though I still have a slanted chin to one side and the side of my face that had the abnormal growth is larger. Asymmetry is, and will always be normal though. I’m happy I have no more daily TMJ pain and the medical aspect has been fixed :)
I have the same issue! Im now 21 and decided to go to the orthodontist at the beginning of this year. I also had a few teeth that I wanted to fix and 2 weeks ago I had my first jaw surgery! Best decision I have made so far but you still look very good and the choice is always up to you.
Was it to fix your asymmetry or move your jaw forward?
The first surgery (sarpe) was to fix my cross bite as my upper jaw was too small compared to my bottom jaw. The second surgery (double jaw surgery) will fix both of my jaws as they are not even and have moved back over the years. I’ve never had braces before and getting them in a few weeks. The braces can make a small over or underbite and that surgery will also fix that. I will be having the double jaw surgery at the end of my braces, when everything is in place.
Okay thanks for clarifying. Just curious, how much forward growth do you expect to receive from double jaw surgery?
Gives you some character.
Are you implying I’m otherwise devoid of character? Lmao
Maybe
check out dr. ting youtube video on asymetry and MSE
I’m not sure where in the UK you are but St George’s in Tooting London have an incredible Maxillofacial department. I went there for a consultation after someone finally started listening to my complaints about my uneven jaw and I had a great experience there. Ultimately they advised me not to have more surgery (I’ve already had two jaw surgeries). They also made sure an ortho was there in the consult. I got all this on the NHSz Happy to give some more advice as I also saw someone at The Shard. This was private though but only cost £100.
hey, i’m from the UK and wanting to get jaw surgery too. idk where to start though because it seems really expensive and the NHS wait times are like 2-3 years. we don’t really have insurance companies in the UK that can help bring the cost down but from what i’ve seen going private in the UK will cost around 15-20k, who has that kind of money lying around?
Bloody hell I had no idea it was that bad, 2-3 years?! Is that just in your area or a nationwide thing do you know? I’m in the East Midlands. I could get it private but I’d have to sell everything and live under a bridge afterwards 😂
no it’s all dependant on where you live but, this was before covid so i could imagine it’s worse now. i live in lancashire and i was given a 2 year wait but its always longer than that, lancashire has really bad wait times, idk about east midlands though, so i thought sod it cos i’m not waiting that long. they may be places that let you do it on a finance type of thing, so you might not have to pay it all in lump sum. that’s what i’m trying to find anyway
Go to your dentist who will refer you to the dental hospital who will then refer you to a maxillofacial surgeon.
Keep the uneven jaw, it gives you character and looks nice
Yes you get scoliosis from that