Q.

Hi Dr Hughes,

Thank you for the information you sent me regarding options for correcting a gummy smile. I will send you a photo privately.

I do, in fact, have an overbite, and have always had it. Could you explain a bit more about the jaw repositioning procedure, the risks and also recovery time?

Lastly, I have a bit of a narrow face and a longish chin, would jaw repositioning exaggerate this and push my jaw out to correct the overbite? If so, what further procedure could be done to balance this?

Thanks again for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Q.

Hello,

My ambition is to study dentistry and i am very keen in learning about apicectomy. Can it be performed in a dental practice? or would the patient have to be referred to a maxillofacial surgeon in a hospital?
i hope you can help me by answering this question.

thank you

Q.

Brace/Openbite
I have recently had braces applied to my top set of teeth to try and correct an open bite. I have been told that I will probably have to undergo surgery which will involve removing part of the bone in my upper jaw and reconnecting it with pins and plates. I have only recently (the past 2 years) suffered with an open bite, so my dentist (not maxillofacial surgeon) thinks the problem is connected to cartilage in my temporomandibular joint. I am bit concerned with having the surgery on my top jaw as it sounds and looks horrendous. I am not concerned with the option of having my lower jaw repositioned if this could correct the problem. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

Q.
I have a chronic snoring problem and a sleep consultant is referring me to an oral maxillo facial surgeon as I have a receding chin and a large overbite. He feels that these factors are causing my snoring problem and sleeplessness(I do not have sleep apnea}. At 53 is surgery the only option, if so what would that involve? Also, could this problem be causing breathing problems when I exercise? I am a keen road cyclist and walker, but have huge problems with ‘coughing’ on exertion. I am using steroid inhalers, but without much success.

Q.
Dear Dr Patel I have had an overbite problem all my life. My top jaw is alot more “forward” than my bottom jaw which creates a rather large overbite. I have had fixed braces to try and alleviate the problem, by pushing the top teeth back and straightening the lower teeth. However my teeth are now moving back to there original position. I have been referred to see a maxiofacial surgeon who has informed me that the only way to permanently solve the problem is to have fixed braces for 18 months followed by jaw surgery to move the lower jaw forward. I am not looking forward to the prospect of wearing fixed braces again for such a long duration. However I am happy to have the jaw surgery to correct the overbite. I was wondering if I would be eligible to have the new types of invisible braces instead of the traditional “train tracks”? Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Q.
Hi im nearly 40 and well to be honest i have not acknowledged my insecuritys but i have a over bite and it makes me look like i dont have a chin i want to have pics with my friends and family but i always make an excuse .. it also gives me discomfort and i get alot of numness in my jaw .. do u think i could get some help or am i too old .. x

Q.
Dear Doctor, i am writing this very hopefuly that you help me in my lower jaw surgery which was broken in road accedent at karachi Pakistan. I want to my jaw surgery please assist me accordingly what I have to do in this regard. waiting for your kind reply soon

Q.
Hi, I think i may have saliva stones and i believe this to be the cause of bad breath. Would a dentist be able to cure/remove this for myself? thanks

Q.
Hi, i am now 24 yrs old, as a child i was a thumb sucker and didnt stop until i was sixteen. I was under maxillo facial unit and they gave me braces for a long time and straightened my teeth to get me ready for surgery. they wanted to break my jaw and reset it. my top teeth are very protruding although yrs of practice iive mastered hiding it. I now feel ready to undergo any treatment that mey have frightened me off before. what kind of procedues are available to me now, as my top teeth overhang by over 1cm??

Q.
Hi i am a43 year old woman who has just had her braces off after 18 months i had the treatment for a very large overbite. but i am not happy with the result as i still have a really large overbite and was wondering if i had a couple of teeth out from the back and had invisaline braces would my teeth move back any more as they are still resting on my bottom lip, i have spent 3000 on this treatment and i just feel like it was a waste of time and money, and can you please tell me at the moment i an wearing essex retainers and have been for nearly 5 months but my teeth are still not setting in the jaw bone if i leave the retainers out for a hour when i eat i struggle to get them back on.this cant be right. can anyone please help me with this problem as im so depressed i was expecting at least some change in how i look, and feel as if it was all a waste of time and money, i would be willing to do anything to change my overbite and get my teeth to sit behind my lip as i feel so uncomfortable about the way i look thankyou for your help