Dental Surgery Problem

I had upper jaw surgery in 1986. I was 20 yrs old at the time. During surgery, my jaw was removed from my mouth, an inch and a half of bone was sawed off the upper part. The jaws were placed back in the mouth higher and further back, so my top & bottom teeth set on each other properly. This extreme type of surgery was performed based upon the idea that I was grinding my back teeth so much, it was grinding my teeth away.

Since that time, I've had three upper teeth pulled and currently have 4 or 5 teeth broken at the gum line. The remaining teeth appear to be good.

Having teeth pulled from the upper jaw is next to impossible as most dentists won't perform this type of procedure. I have been referred to UW Dental Clinic's "Oral Surgery" department. I have no insurance and am a single parent to two teenagers. However, I do believe that if the effort were made to develop a treatment plan that is both emotionally and financially doable, my upper jaw could have functioning teeth again.

I realize that this a project that would require quite an undertaking, however the problem exists
do to the initial procedure that was undertaken to permanently solve the initial problem. Unfortunately, the surgery loosened the upper teeth. Also, at times, I feel like their is spacing between the upper jaw, cheek bones and my nasal area.

I realize that I may be making a mountain out of a mole hill, and if that's the case excellent! If not,let the project begin. Perhaps I could help a student complete their exams or be fortunate enough to be a participant in a Dental Research program.

Thank you for the possibility of a health mouth.

Teresa
Sammamish, WA