At 23, Sarah Thompson embarked on a transformative journey to correct a severe underbite that had impacted her life since childhood. Her upper and lower teeth no longer met, and the gap between her front teeth stretched nearly 17 millimeters. This condition affected her speech, chewing, breathing, and self-confidence. Determined to change her life, Sarah began documenting her orthodontic treatment on social media, sharing her experiences from the first X-rays to her final post-surgery reveal.

Early Life Challenges

Sarah was born with a narrow palate and a pronounced underbite, leading to a lisp, difficulty chewing, and breathing complications. As she grew older, these issues became more pronounced, affecting her appearance and social interactions. In school, she faced bullying due to her appearance, leading her to avoid photographs and feel self-conscious about her jaw's appearance in pictures. These challenges shaped her daily life and self-image.

Beginning the Treatment Journey

In late 2019, Sarah began her treatment journey by consulting with an orthodontist and a surgeon. The process involved taking photos, undergoing X-rays, and attending multiple appointments to assess her condition and plan the course of action. She was informed that palatal expansion would create a visible gap between her front teeth, which might not fully close due to gum recession. The plan involved bringing her upper jaw forward, moving her lower jaw back, and shifting her chin slightly to align the midline.

Facing Delays and Emotional Struggles

As Sarah progressed into the treatment, she entered a critical stage in early 2020 involving expanding her upper jaw to create enough space for realignment. This phase produced a dramatic change in her appearance, with her front teeth pulled apart, eventually forming a 17-millimeter gap. By May 2022, she shared an update: her bite now had a 7-millimeter vertical gap between the upper and lower teeth. Orthodontists focused on closing spaces and preparing new molds to finalize the surgical plan.

However, delays occurred due to the hospital's maxillofacial department experiencing a backlog. Regardless of her teeth's readiness, her surgery was delayed, adding months of waiting. During this time, Sarah's emotional state began to decline. In February 2022, she shared a photo in braces with a caption reflecting her mental state:

"The last couple weeks I think have probably been the hardest mentally so far… Coming to terms with the fact I most likely won't be getting my next surgery as soon as I had thought has made things hard."

She continued

"I've started to struggle a lot more with the way my jaw/face is looking and have constantly been focusing on how I don't like the way I look. I never really prepared for how tough this process would be mentally."

Documenting the Journey on Social Media

Despite the challenges, Sarah continued to document her journey on social media, aiming to help others going through similar experiences. In May 2023, she wrote:

"If I'm able to help at least one person, then that's my job done x."

Her posts, shared on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, included photos and video updates showing her changing face and evolving treatment plan. By March 2023, she reflected on her progress:

"Never in a million years did I think I'd be where I am right now! If you told me two years ago that I would be posting videos and documenting this journey to over 100,000 people I'd probably laugh [sic]."

Sarah credited the support from her social media community as a key factor in her growing confidence. She added

"If it wasn't for all the support I've been receiving on my TikTok platform, I probably wouldn't be as confident smiling the way I am today."

Undergoing Double Jaw Surgery

In July 2024, Sarah underwent double jaw surgery, a significant and physically demanding stage of her treatment. Corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, is typically performed when both the upper and lower jaws are misaligned. The procedure involves repositioning the jawbones to improve bite alignment, speech, and overall function. Braces and other orthodontic tools can shift teeth, but they cannot move bones.

Recovery and Reflection

The recovery process was challenging. Sarah experienced pain, swelling, and a period of not recognizing her own reflection. She isolated herself and avoided seeing others, struggling with the changes in her appearance. However, over time, she noticed healing taking place. Her strength returned, swelling decreased, and she regained feeling in her face. More importantly, she found a deeper sense of 

Sarah's journey was not just about physical transformation but also about personal growth and self-discovery. She learned that her identity was not defined by her appearance but by her inner strength and resilience. Her story continues to inspire others facing similar challenges, showing that with determination and support, transformation is possible.

That's why jaw surgery is often the only option when skeletal structure is the root of the issue. The full process generally takes two to three years, and it's not a single event. It includes: