Is There An Orthodontic Procedure That Can Help People Lose Weight?
According to the NIDDK, two out of three adults are overweight or obese. Excess weight is associated with the onset of a variety of diseases including diabetes and heart failure, and many people use a variety of solutions to help them take off the unwanted pounds. One dental procedure that has been employed to assist with weight loss efforts is orthodontic jaw wiring (OJW), but is this a really an ideal solution for taking off the weight? Here's more information about this procedure to help you decide.
About Orthodontic Jaw Wiring
Orthodontic jaw wiring is commonly used to immobilize the jaw so it can heal from some type of severe trauma such as a fracture. Sometimes, though, it is prescribed to overweight or obese patients for weight control. Since the jaw is wired shut with only a minimum amount of leeway provided for speaking and consuming liquids, the person cannot eat solid foods. The idea is this will prevent the person from consuming unnecessary calories and lose weight.
The procedure itself is fairly straightforward. Brackets, the same type used for braces, are attached to the teeth. A pliable wire is then threaded through the brackets and secured. Typically, the dentist will place a straw or similarly sized object between the patient's teeth to judge how much room to give the mouth to open. This allows for relatively clear speaking and ingestion of liquids such as water.
The wire is usually left on for five weeks and then removed for five days so the jaw can be exercised. In the majority of cases, however, the device is wired in such a way the patient or other medical professionals can remove it at any time. This ensures the person can stop the treatment and/or receive important medical attention as necessary.
Benefits and Disadvantages of OJW
The primary benefit of OJW is it can remove the temptation to overeat or provide additional impetus to stick to a prescribed diet plan. The knowledge that he or she can't eat may reduce an individual's cravings for food. Additionally, the hassle associated with removing and reinstalling the wire may also further dampen the person's appetite. Depending on the person's starting weight and calorie plan, this can lead to a significant amount of weight loss.
However, there are a few notable drawbacks to losing weight using this method. The biggest issue is, if you don't learn good food habits or address the underlying cause of the weight gain, those lost pounds may come back when you return to your regular eating habits. Therefore, it's critical that you enroll in a nutrition or counseling program to learn how to maintain your results.
Since the wires can be removed at any time, it does require some discipline to not be enticed into taking them out so you can eat. And, while you may be restricted to only consuming liquids, it's still possible to consume more calories than needed by drinking high-fat calories-dense liquids such as milkshakes.
You may not get all of the vitamins and minerals you need while on the liquid diet. It'll also be harder to take pill medications and more difficult to care for your teeth. Lastly, this is not a good option if you have a sensitive stomach as the small opening may make it hard to expel vomit, increasing the risk you will swallow or choke on it.
Cost and Requirements
The cost varies depending on who does the procedure and where you're located, but you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars to have your jaw wired shut. Some dentists screen patients to ensure they are a good match. However, what is considered a good match may vary depending on the dental professional. Some dentists will only work with patients of a certain weight and others may require a medical doctor sign off on the procedure first.
Having orthodontic jaw wiring done can help you lose weight, but it's important to consider all the pros and cons to ensure it's a right fit for you. For more information about this procedure, consult with a dentist or orthodontist such as Reed Orthodontics.