I'm getting surgery for my under bite- how long do the braces take?

Question

I have an under bite that required corrective surgery. First, though, they need to put braces on my teeth. Does anyone know how long I will have to have the braces on before i can get surgery?

Answer 1

I don't know about how long it would take for the surgery, but I had a slight under bite and it took a few weeks, so an overbite should take a few weeks, but it all depends upon the severity of the under bite.  I don't know exactly but it could take a few months.  

Answer 2

ha ha....  I just had that surgery.... I was in braces for a little over a year.... you have to wait until your jaw stops growing before they can do much. That would be around till your 18 or so. But it may vary based on the person and what i'm telling you could be totally wrong. Basically the braces are going to line up your teeth to what they should look like AFTER surgery.  With having an underbite, the wrong teeth are touching and your mouth has compensated be moving teeth to make the best bite it can. So actually the braces are going to make your bite feel worse as you get closer to surgery due to corrections and compensations your mouth has made being undone.

all that being said, it was about a year for me.... so it may be more or less.

FYI- be ready for the surgery. It's rough. All you can eat is through a straw. If you prepare for it, it will save you a lot of trouble and possible complications after surgery. Talk with your doctor, surgeon and even just anyone on this forum. Get ideas of food you can blend. Believe me, it helps TREMENDOUSLY.

Good luck!