Jaw Surgery On The Nhs

[smith95]

Im 17, today I had an appointment with a surgeon about surgery to correct my overbite on the NHS, I read on the screen my measurements are 7 mm, and 50% so whatever that means. I was never told by my routine NHS orthodontist that I would have to qualify to get surgery as I found out today, I just assumed that because I was referred I was eligible. She said the government are being tight on funding so you have to qualify within the strict requirements for the surgery compared to before, I cant remember seeing anyone with an overbite worse than mine which looks like I have no chin sometimes. It effects me physically, emotionally, and physcologically however I may not qualify as what I seek could be classed as cosmetic, based on my measurements am I eligible on the NHS? I cant wait 6 weeks to find out :( Ill be distraught if I cant have it done as ive been so excited at the prospect of being so confident in having a strong defined jawline. The surgeon wants to see my previous x-rays prior to my braces, im halfway through my brace treatment in which they are doing the typical NHS way of "camouflaging " the overbite, it involved 4 extractions etc but it will not fix my receded chin. Its so unfair if I cant have the surgery :(

[Buenchico]

I'm not sure whether this applies or not
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Orthodontics/Pages/Introduction.aspx
but, if it does, it seems likely that the 7mm figure refers to the protrusion of your front teeth and hence (as a 'Grade 4') you qualify for NHS treatment. However the exact nature of that treatment does seem to be a bit vague. Keep hassling them!!!

[missprim]

My daughter had similar operation but hers was the other way, her chin stuck out and she was being bullied by kids at school who said really nasty things to her and called her names like Brice Forsyth and Jimmy Hill.
I seem to recall they had to prove it was difficult to eat certain foods like apples and with the psychological side of it she had the operation done and the results were amazing.
I hope you get this operation and I hope you tell them how it affects you personally. Good luck.

[smith95]

Thanks, I had my appointment like I said and I may have made a extremely cost-worthy mistake which was when she asked what the problem is and I said well Id like to have a regular bite but mainly the issue which effects me most is aesthetic appearance caused by my overbite. After my X-rays she said it may be cosmetic, but she will try her best to get me the surgery I dont know who it is up to. How can I contact her or someone relevant and just explain how much this troubles me psychologically, the pain I endure after continuously trying to force my lower jaw forward etc and its all truthful, im panicking ive ruined my chance at surgery and I apparently have to wait 6 weeks before I hear if im eligible.

[missprim]

There might not be a way you can contact someone at this stage, you have to be patient and don't give up. It's possible you will meet all the criteria needed so please try not to worry that you have blown your chances.
If (and I really hope this doesn't happen) they say you don't qualify for the op then don't just give up. You can get reports from your GP and others that tell of the way it affects you psychologically and just keep on and on at them 'til they give in.
I'm off to bed now but will check here tomorrow to see if you have more answers.
Night night.

[SMP]

My daughter had an overbite and she was told the only way to alter it was to break her jaw (not a very understanding dentist) and they weren't going to do that. Changed dentist and was sent to an orthodontist. He said he could bring the jaw forward using twin blocks. These were two seperate braces with blocks on the top that fitted behind blocks on the bottom and that were adjustable so the top blocks were always putting pressure on the bottom blocks thus slowly bringing the jaw forward. She ate with these in and only took them out to clean them. When using them she could not close her mouth fully. They were uncomfortable for the first couple of days but after that she had no problem.She didn't need any extractions as the dentist said it was a case of bringing the jaw forward not the teeth.

[bednobs]

i think you are right to be worried - i remember when i used to work ont he PALS helpline, for children to get orthodontic treatment, there were 2 sets of scoring, 1 for the severity and 1 for psychological impact. even if the severity was high, if you scored low on the psychological side, you didn't get the treatment Parents weren't informed of t his, and they used to ask the kids to look at some pictures of people with orthodontic probs and pick which one they felt they looked like. If they picked a vaguely alright one, they couldn't get the treatment on the NHS. Seemed a bit barmy to me