My first blog

Hi Everyone

This is my first time ever blogging, so it's all new to me!

I'm 30 yrs old from  Australia and will soon have surgically assisted rapid palate expansion. I thought I would start a blog as I have found other's people's quiet helpful.

Basically I have a narrow palate, anterior open bite where the upper and lower front teeth do not meet at all and right and left crossbites. I have had braces TWICE before but this problem has never been addressed as I don't think it was much of an issue when I was younger.

How this has come about is because I have been suffering migraines for over 10 years and about 2 yrs ago I starting clenching (and now grinding) in my sleep which then starting causing TMJ. My jaw clicks quite badly aswell and it's very difficult to eat. My Chiropractor sent me to a dentist to get a night splint. The dentist told me I needed to see an orthodontist and most likely needed surgery but I refused to go. Two years later and my bite started getting worse and now I have no choice. The splint does help relieve some of my symptoms but my bite has definitely worsened with the NTI splint and now I wish I got just a normal mouth guard type splint. A prosthodontist told me those type of splints are not good for open bite patients!!

I have also been referred to a sleep specialist as I am always tired, ever since I was a teenager I have complained about being tired. Apparently having a narrow palate can cause sleep apnea even though I don't snore. Ill let you all know how I go with that appointment.

Its been a rollercoaster ride for me the past few months as different ortho's recommended different treatments, but I am very confident with the decision I have made. I was told by one dr that I should have mandibular surgery but I have chosen a different route.

Treatment

On March 26th I will be having my surgery, the expansion device will go in a week before. They will also be putting in 4 titanium anchorage implants which will help move my jaw into the correct position.By using these implants I will avoid mandibular surgery. They anticipate the whole process will be about 2 - 2 1 /2 yrs

Cost

My braces alone are approx $9000 and I will be out of pocket approx $2500 -$3000 for the surgery. Because this process is for medical reasons I was able to go through medicare and claim part of my braces through them. I received about $3300 back. Not all orthodontists do this though but mine did. You need to speak to your doctor to be eligible for the Dental health care plan. The surgery is being covered by my health fund, but not fully

Drs

My orthodontist is Theo Baisi of the ortho practice and the surgeon is Dr Peter Mouser