Braces ON! 18-month Treatment for VME and Gummy Smile!

Hi there! 

I'm officially back to brace face again but with a whole new outlook. I'm super excited to begin this 18-month journey and without jaw surgery. It's helpful that about a year ago I was in braces for the first time so this isn't new to me. I wish everyone who is on the fence about jaw surgery would find my blog and also another blog I just found. Link below.

https://mybraces4vme.wordpress.com/tag/vertical-maxillary-excess/

After all the research I've done for over 5 years on TAD's I finally found real results that aren't only in publications but met people with the same problem. For those who find this post and only read this one I am going to sum up my diagnosis since I was 18 (10 years ago). 

I noticed my gummy smile at 18. Saw an orthodontist who immediately diagnosed myself as having Vertical Maxillary Excess and only jaw surgery can fix. Since I was 18 I chose not to go that route and look for another way to camouflage this. I then found a cosmetic dentist and underwent lip repositioning surgery for around $4k. What an absolute waste since my problem wasn't an over hyperactive upper lip. Avoid this treatment as the relapse rate is EXTREME and mine only lasted for 6 months. Next 3 years went by and I came back to the jaw surgery route. My gummy smile only got worse and my mouth breathing wasn't ever brought up as the main cause. I researched myofunctional therapy but not enough data on adults for appliances to fix vertical growth only horizontal growth. After 3 orthodontists and traveling to Austin, I decided to go through with the jaw surgery route. After braces for 2 months and the worst communication ever from an oral surgeon and orthodontist plus not to mention 6 teeth being extracted? I canceled my treatment. My next option was to visit an ortho specialist for Biobloc in Michigan. He put me in an appliance to expand my upper jaw in hopes to bring my lower jaw forward but this wasn't a fix because it wasn't my problem. All of these treatments were just another temporary fix and ones that cost me over a total of $10k when you add this up with travel and down payments. The Biobloc forced my teeth forwards and created a massive overjet (great so pissed). Seeing the overjet made me so angry I just cut them off cold turkey (worst patient ever but they should have refused to help me). So then is when I researched TAD's more. I knew TAD's existed but I couldn't find any ortho who would do this (with results and photos to prove) on adults. That is until I found Dr. Frost. Dr. Frost is an artist and he practices this alternative and has flawless results. 

So to sum up my diagnosis of the above:

Mouth Breather; Chronic Allergies; Vertical Maxillary Excess (Gummy Smile); Narrow Arch/Palate; Lip Incompetence/Mentalis Strain; All my damn teeth; Over jet; Front teeth non symmetrical; Brain Fog; Sleep Apnea; Low Self-confidence 

Reveal picture of my current Damon Braces! One gummy smile and one closed mouth posture. 

Update: No more Biobloc & Back to braces WITHOUT SURGERY!

Hello Tuesday.
I am extremely excited to report that I strongly believe I've found the alternative to jaw surgery! I spoke long ago about TAD's but could not find an Ortho who practiced and had proved results of this working. Well, thanks to Instagram, I found a new orthodontist in Arizona. Flew out to meet him and FINALLY, there are real success case studies he has shown.

When I described my journey on how I got to this point, he was astonished. It's been almost 9 years since I noticed my face changing and it's been 7 years since I was told the only option was surgery. Although my complete mentalis strain and inability to show a chin will not fully be fixed, the gummy smile will be and it won't be as difficult to close. Looking in the mirror and at photos, maybe I won't resemble a "horses" mouth. The insecurities only have increased because my face kept drooping longer and longer.

The bad news, back to life in braces. I absolutely hated my braces and couldn't last 3 months. The difference today is I moved to Charlotte, NC. New city and the ability to hibernate a few years while I undergo the treatment. The plus is the treatment time should be only 20 months - 24 months at the most. It will be tough and again one of the hardest challenges to overcome. I've never been teased until I had braces. At 27 almost 28 years old, I should have enough confidence to say ******** (insert whatever bad word you can think of) off to the haters. Because I finally found the new revolutionary method for those who have a gummy smile due to vertical maxillary excess and WITHOUT JAW SURGERY!

Bring it on Braces (January 25th, 2018) I am ready for you 2018!

Success stories here:
https://www.instagram.com/frostsmiles/

And the initial case success I found years ago is here:
https://www.ortholemay.com/en/blog/19364/

Cannot wait to see mine in 2019!! Never give up every one.

Braces Off/No More Surgery & on to Biobloc

Well, another major setback and what was the start of a horrible braces experience. Thankfully, if I chose the extractions and surgery I would have been committed and much worse off.

What seems to be another major hurdle both financially and physically is starting to shed light. I finally went to see Dr. Gibbs about expanding my jaws. Although he is very far and it will be costing me plenty more money, I felt this was the only option left.

Not going to sugar coat this, I have plenty of doubts but much more hopeful than going through massive surgery and extraction. I've expanded about 2mm thus far and it's been 3 months. The hardest part is speaking with a lisp and confidence issues. While its slow expansion there's little to no pain.

I have a long journey ahead of me. Will keep you updated and remember lips closed, tongue roof of mouth and chew chew chew your food!!!

-Kjean

Second Thoughts...& Braces On

Hello there!

I am so sorry I have not updated on my progress. I felt the need to come on here because there has been many changes since the last time I wrote. I wish good ones...

As I mentioned previously, I chose to go through with the surgery and had my braces put on February 22nd. WOW. I was not prepared for the agony in which braces could bring. The pain lasted about a week but it was my appearance that completely through me a curve ball. I cry more often than I ever have in my life looking at my appearance in the mirror or a photo. I need them off.

I wish this was an "I'm doing great" post or it has gotten easier but in all honestly I'm completely miserable in these things. I turned 27 on Sunday and these are the best years of my life and I have men at bars making fun of my braces.

The surgeon said that they would need to remove SIX teeth, yes, SIX healthy teeth. My bosses think I am crazy for extracting healthy teeth when my mouth has NO overcrowding. I trusted my surgeon until I realized how long I would have to be in braces closing those gaps up. Just may have made a HUGE costly mistake. Without a doubt in my mind, I need the surgery. But how bad do I want the surgery right now? I have no boyfriend, hate my social life in braces, and my income cannot easily afford this all.

So...now what? I've struggled with this journey since I was 18. I thought I was officially starting the process of ending it. (Side note) I forgot to mention I HATE food in my teeth to the point where I only drink liquids if I am out. I've already lost about 7lbs. I can't continue this diet for 2 years or I will wither away to nothing. I also have the flu and have been sick 2 times. My immune system is not getting enough nutrients because I hate to eat.

My point with this post is...I am not ready for the surgery. Advances in technology must have answers to my problem. I've researched Dr. Mew again and myofunctional therapy. I am going to travel to as many doctors who practice this. Expand my jaws and move my teeth forward in the face and practice proper tongue rest posture and breathing through my nose. SO MUCH WORK. But anything to get me out of these braces and not have to go through this massive surgery, I will try.

I'm hoping my blog inspires people in the future to go the alternative route because I was the exception. I'm not giving up to try and avoid the surgery. We have so much technology out there there has to be at least one doctor who believes their treatment will work. I will listen, learn, and ask questions.

I will keep you all posted on if I decide to remove these awful things.

Vlogging Journey

It's been about 2 weeks since I've seen the orthodontist. They have been delayed getting back to me due to the holidays but they are reviewing my case on Dec. 21st for a treatment plan. I just want to have this process started and braces on already! Many years of waiting and I'm about to back out again (not really just can't sit still thinking about everything).

I've decided to vlog my journey on youtube as livingwithvme. The main reason is I want to look back and have memories but also help those in the future who have similar problems. Majority of the jaw surgeries videos on there are from underbites and I've read that the upper jaw surgery is worse.

Follow my vlog journey!

Progress - Met Oral Surgeon Who I LOVE

Finally, I was able to actually see a oral surgeon who specializes in this surgery and has years of experience. I found him through research and not through a common referral. I told him my unique story and how this journey is only just getting started.

Unlike orthodontists, he actually made me feel that my problem was NOT just cosmetic and I have a functional problem that needs to be fixed. There's an entire process before even discussing treatment options and I'm having my teeth cleaned then seeing an ortho next week. After that, we will determine a treatment plan and schedule my wisdom teeth removal...UGH. I'm hoping to have this done by the holidays since that is perfect timing for work.

I know the money and wearing braces was a major reason why I refused to go further. I'm now single, career is somewhat stable, and I have the ability to move back home before the surgery. Now couldn't be a better time to focus on myself and fixing my jaws and health!

The journey is just starting and even though I'm scared as hell, I'm excited to begin and get the next 2 years over with!

Hiatus and Coming Back

The last time I wrote a post I was looking back into TAD's and that was a complete waste of time. No Ortho will take my case. My entire jaw needs to be removed and TAD's have success moving a few teeth but not my entire upper teeth/jaw line.

I've been sleeping worse at night, can't concentrate, and have to gasp for air all the time. My airway is blocked and I breathe through my mouth.

I started this blog to join the community who struggles with the same issues I'm having. Even though I know insurance will deny coverage, I will keep fighting until one day the research changes and so does the assumption this is just cosmetic. It's so much more. I do not want the surgery, I've tried everything to relieve symptoms and to camouflage my appearance.

Once again I will make an appointment with another Orthodontist since they have to refer you to their Oral Surgeon. I didn't want my braces to "show" and hopefully the clear ones will be less noticeable since my job is sales and confidence is highly important.

Please send me tips on receiving insurance approval! I have Aetna and they do cover surgery. Here goes nothing!! Praying for some good news on this long battle my condition is only getting worse the more I put off surgery.