WHY Oh WHY Would I Have Jaw Surgery?

So after I tell people about my surgery they ask me "WHY?" Believe me I asked myself, why should I do this surgery? It really was the last thing I wanted, but after doing research and praying, I decided it was worth it. I better do it now while I am young enough. For me it wasn't for cosmetic purposes, I love my smile and I often get complements about it. My smile can be "gummy" at times but you know that isn't a big deal. Deciding to do the surgery was to help my sleep and overall health. Here is a list of problems I have and signs of needing corrective jaw surgery:

• difficulty chewing, or biting food (food falls out of my mouth often)
• difficulty swallowing
• chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache
• excessive wear of the teeth
• open bite ( I could fit 2 fingers easily between my upper and lower teeth)
• unbalanced facial appearance from the side
• receding chin
• protruding jaw
• inability to make the lips meet without straining
• chronic mouth breathing and dry mouth
• sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, never feeling rested and bad snoring. Yes I tried the c-pap machine and it made my sleep worse)

 Orthodontics alone would not help all these problems. Orthognathic double jaw surgery can help open up the airways thus improving breathing, jaw pain and sleep apnea.  Corrective jaw surgery moves your teeth and jaws into positions that are more balanced, functional and healthy. If the surgery can eliminate some of the jaw pain and help me sleep a little better it will be well worth it. Also I would get the benefits of closing my mouth and my lips meeting with out strain and food not following out of my mouth because there is a huge gap! So here's to a better health and well being!

It is a strain to close my mouth and I rarely do it!