The Natural Bite

There have been some really great questions in the Comments section from this blog. Instead of hiding them there, I’m surfacing them (and my responses) for your reading pleasure!

From Kathryn

Hi Susan

You’ve done a wonderful job with this blog. I’m going through the whole jaw reconstruction process just behind you, and I am definitely planning to do things as you did. I do have a question, however, about insurance. Obviously the surgery is covered, but were you able to get any of the pre-op stuff covered, such as braces or splints? I’m having a nightmare of a time. If you had any success, I’d love to hear how you did it.

Thank you!

Kathryn

Hi Kathryn,

Thanks for reading my blog!

Insurance is a pain, and, to answer your question, typically orthodontics is not covered under most dental plans. I had really amazing benefits with my former employer (Google, Inc), but only got $1,000 in coverage for my braces because my orthodontist is out-of-network. I knew I could shop around for a different orthodontist, but mine had an office close to where I lived at the time, and uses SureSmile technology, which speeds up the whole braces process. In the end, though I didn’t really have the money to spare, I decided that this was more important than a new laptop or some weekend trip, and that I would save or make payments as necessary.

Note: I do NOT have tons of extra dough to spare, and I don’t mean to mention consumer electronics lightly - my point is just that your health is more important than any consumable thing!

I’ve heard bad stories about insurance companies not covering even severe medical cases of Class III Malocclusion (underbite) - one young guy whose YouTube video I saw could barely talk because his underbite was so bad, and he was still fighting with insurance. As a little boy, he underwent many years of speech therapy, obviously to no avail since he simply couldn’t form certain sounds with his underbite. His insurance nonetheless said it was NOT a medical necessity for him (poor guy) and he was in the process of appealing. BUT, the upside was that he decided to do it anyway and had an AMAZING and highly inspirational attitude the whole time. I’ll post a link as soon as I can dig it up!

That said, I’ve really lucked out with my Cigna Open Access Plus (PPO) plan. I had (and still have) great employee benefits, and my surgeon’s office are pros at writing those insurance claim letters. You might want to enlist their help with this since they’re the experts at insurance dealings. It’s how they get paid!

-Susan

From Tsege

Hi Susan,

I love your website. It is so encouraging and positive. I have been thinking about braces and surgery as long as I can remember. I am told that I need braces and surgery. I believe I have similar problem as yours. Currently I am consulting with Orthodontists. I live in the east bay. It would be cool to talk to you. You seem to go through this process bravely. I am a little bit scared about the surgery. Thank you.

Hi Tsege,

Thank you for the nice comment! Unlike you, I didn’t even really know that braces and surgery were an option for me until recently. As soon as it came onto my radar, I became obsessed, so I know how you must feel.

My best advice to you is to read lots of blogs like this one, but to ultimately trust the experts. They’ll guide you in making the right decision for your case.

That said, it can be really helpful to talk to someone who actually went through it, not just an orthodontist with perfect teeth! (My ortho has BEAUTIFUL teeth that I can’t stop staring at during every appointment - I think she has really good veneers…) I would love to answer any specific questions you have. Just let me know and I’ll add you to IM.

-Susan

From Ali

I’m supposed to get corrective jaw surgery in a few months for my under bite. Anyways, I’m 17 and because of the underbite I have also developed TMJ (which causes alot of pain). I don’t know what to expect when getting this surgery. I’m expecting it to be pretty painful and horrendous Haha

How long is the recovery time? And they give you heady duty pain meds right?

Hi Ali,

Recovery comes in different stages - in my case, I was able to walk around my neighborhood on the day I came home from the hospital (one day after the surgery), and I was eating soups and other mushy things right away. I starting working from home (I work for a tech start-up, so I can do everything remotely) after one week, and I was able to return to my office after 3 weeks.

For me, the surgery wasn’t actually painful or horrendous at all. It was really easy and kind of fun to get to stay home. My surgeon did prescribe some pain meds, but I actually never ended up taking the pain meds - kind of a waste of money, if you ask me!

I have a Chinese medical practitioner who prescribed me some herbal remedies, and those took care of any pain I might have had. I got several big bags of herbs from him, boiled them each day to make a sort of tea, and drank it throughout the day. There are posts about it under the “Natural Health” category of this blog.

Don’t worry! You’ll be incredibly happy that you got this surgery and that you don’t have to stress about your underbite anymore. Especially since you’re only 17, recovery will be so easy for you that you’ll forget all about surgery in just a few short weeks. Don’t be afraid of the pain - either you’ll have it, and use meds, or you won’t (like me!)!

-Susan

From Ye

Hi Susan,

How is your eating now? Can you get that pizza you wanted a few weeks ago? When did/will you start eating normally (pizza, burgers, steak)?

Hi Ye,

What a great question for someone who loves food as much as me!

It’s strange about the pizza…I actually caved in after about a week and a half and ordered a Chicago-style pie from this place I love, Little Star in San Francisco. I put it in the food processor, thinking that it would be juicy enough to make a decent pizza-esque mush. Actually, it was terrible! It turned out dry and bland, and sort of turned me away from the pizza ever since.

So, the answer is No, I have not gotten to chew the pizza I so desired during that first swollen week, though I guess by choice!

At this point, it’s been about 8 weeks and I can pretty much eat anything. If something is too chewy, like some overcooked thing, then my jaw gets tired. It’s not painful, but I don’t want to mess anything up so I stop chewing as soon as I get that ‘tired’ feeling. Actually, my jaw was ALWAYS tired when I had my underbite, so it’s a familiar feeling - now I just know to stop it.

Things I’ve chewed lately: Crunchy peanut butter, pastas, all kinds of breads and baked goods, granola bars and Clif bars, salads and raw vegetable chunks, and all cooked vegetables.

I’m afraid I can’t comment on the steak since I don’t eat meat! I’m guessing it would probably be fine at this point though.

-Susan