Did my cervical headgear at age 13-14 restrict my jaw development? Current ceph data inside.
Just got a lateral cephalometric analysis done and I'm trying to make sense of the numbers. Looking for people who've been through something similar or have knowledge on iatrogenic growth restriction.
Background: I had cervical pull headgear + braces from roughly age 11 to 14 (Though I think I started wearing the headgear later maybe starting 13 years of age). I don't have the original records currently so I don't know and cant remember what the initial diagnosis was. Both my parents have normal jaw development relative to their faces. No family history of retrognathia or midface deficiency that I know of. If this were genetic I'd expect to see it in at least one parent.
The numbers:
| Measurement | Me | Norm |
|---|---|---|
| ANS-PNS (maxilla length) | 47mm | 53.3mm ±3.2 |
| Co-Gn (mandible length) | 112mm | 118.9mm ±4.7 |
| SNA | 78° (84° corrected) | 82° ±2 |
| SNB | 75° (81° corrected) | 80° ±2 |
Both jaws are genuinely short in length, not just positionally recessed. No extractions were done either, ruling that out as a contributing factor.
Recently went to a new orthodontist and a surgeon and had a consultation with them. For ortho, he focused on my extremely protruded upper and lower incisor teeth which I guess after doing some research have formed that way to compensate for my skeletal retrusion. He suggested premolar extraction to create space and fix my teeth. A simulation was also done to showcase the before and after results from the side aestethically. All I noticed was my upper lip protruded less and my profile became even more flat. For the surgeon, he suggested a double jaw surgery. I asked if genioplasty was a viable option, he said no. In the end he concluded I would ideally follow up with the ortho treatment which takes at least 2 years minimum and then go ahead with the surgery (which has its own pre surgery and post surgery stages too). Bottom line, this path (which I think is the one and only) is too much of a cost, time and energy. I am looking for different views and opinions from you guys.
Some questions:
- Has anyone done premolar extractions as a part of your ortho treatment? Do you regret it? I know there is a lot of controversy around it and I do not want to risk anything I'll regret later on.
- If I went ahead with only the orthodontic route, would it be worth it if I have no plans for surgery in the future?
- Has anyone else connected their headgear treatment to ceph findings like this?
- Is anything besides surgery possible at my stage?
- If my recessions are indeed from headgear / ortho treatment, what was my orthodontist thinking?
I'm 17yrs 8 months old male, growth is done (???). I am EXTREMELY frustrated & angry about this outcome of my face aestethically. I obssess over it every single day. From the side? I look like a duck. As soon as I bring my mandible forward my whole face comes together and feels complete. I constantly 24/7 jutt my jaw forward so people can't witness the disgusting recession I have. I was meant to be a good looking dude but now nothing is reversible and I have no hope.
Please do leave your thoughts below.
