A member asked:

3 months post op le fort i, was flossing hooked the floss around upper teeth and pulled to remove plaque but it got stuck so pulled quite hard, could i have pulled the maxilla down?

34 doctors weighed in across 12 answers
Dr. Theodore Davantzis answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Nope: Your maxilla was probably fixated with plates and screws to prevent movement from the start. Keep flossing and keep brushing. Would hate to see you go through that surgery only to end up with a denture later on in life. All the best...

Answered 10/28/2015

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Dr. Paul Grin answered

Specializes in Pain Management

Not possible: Le Fort I osteotomies using Titanium plates to promote bony union. The bony healing could occur in spaces between the segments of maxilla and pterygomaxillary regions as well as the region of the anterior and lateral walls in the maxilla in 2-3 month.

Answered 4/8/2015

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No!: Bones have healed sufficiently to withstand anything you could possibly do with floss.

Answered 3/31/2015

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Not unless...: ... you floss with steel wire and suspend yourself with it. By now there is no way that could happen with dental floss. Severe trauma in the presence of underlying bone disease could cause some issues but in the scenario you describe, you should be fine.

Answered 5/1/2016

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No: But may have caused tooth or loose filling. See your Dentist.

Answered 10/28/2015

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Post op le fort 1: Highly doubt you pulled the maxilla down 12 weeks post op. Was the surgical site fixated with screws and or plates? Have you been going into for regular post op visits with your surgeon? Has the post op healing been unremarkable--all going as planned? Best advice would be to call and schedule an appt with him/her to put your mind at ease.

Answered 10/28/2015

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Dr. Jerry Brown answered

Specializes in Prosthodontics

Post Op Le Fort: I would be surprised if the maxilla shifted from flossing -three months from maxillary surgery. By occluding your teeth together you could tell if the bite is not comfortable. Check with your surgeon if that is the case. As you continue to floss -- keep the floss as close to the gingival area of the teeth as possible. Always slide the floss out lengthwise -- never pull in a downward motion.

Answered 10/26/2015

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Dr. Gabriel Malouf answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Don't think so.: While there is a first time for everything, unless you have significant other complications your maxilla is sufficiently stabilized "organically" by now (in addition the surgical stabilization placed by your surgeon during the procedure. Follow your post-operative guidelines and re-appoint with your provider as directed or if you have any increase in pain, swelling, or other oddities.

Answered 12/27/2015

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No: It is very unlikely that you created a problem 3 months after surgery. Hope this helps.

Answered 6/10/2017

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Dr. Charles Lockhart answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Doubtful: Initial healing should have occurred by then, but I would consider a visit to the surgeon to verify and to see why floss stuck if you have any doubts

Answered 4/13/2016

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Dr. Mark Miller answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Flossing: Highly unlikely. It is best to clean between your teeth by gently moving the floss back and forth through the contacts of the teeth until it arrives at the space between the teeth freely. Pulling the floss down can dislodge loosen fillings if done aggressively.

Answered 10/23/2017

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Dr. Manami Yamaguchi answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Unlikely: First, great job on keeping up with oral care. As for the possible damage to the maxillary bones, it is unlikely a force from floss would cause any significant damage even 3m after le fort surgery. There are 14 bones fitting together to make an upper skull and these connections are somewhat movable to absorb forces. Please report to the doctor in charge of your follow-up care to be cautious.

Answered 11/18/2017

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Related Questions

A member asked:

Should i still floss if i already have tartar/plaque on my teeth?

5 doctors weighed in across 3 answers