A 26-year-old woman now has the perfect smile after undergoing gruelling surgery to correct her wonky jaw after it continued to grow.
Rebecca Craft battled an ever-growing cross-bite since she was a teenager and struggled to chew and eat properly without being in pain.
In hope of a fix, she underwent double jaw surgery and a painful genioplasty, which involved breaking her jaw and chin bone to realign her face.
Now, four months since her NHS surgery in November, Miss Craft, from Barnstaple, Devon, has a symmetrical smile for the first time in her life.
However, she has revealed that she ‘would not have gone through’ with the surgery if she knew it was going to be ‘like being in a car crash’.
Speaking for the first time, Miss Craft said: ‘When I first woke up I felt like I’d been in a car crash the pain was that intense.
Rebecca Craft battled an ever-growing cross-bite since she was a teenager and struggled to chew and eat properly without being in pain (pictured after surgery)
‘I’d wanted the surgery since my early 20’s but I’d underestimated the recovery process, I couldn’t eat and with my jaw and chin broken, I had to wear a mask on my face to reduce the swelling.
‘I had a severe cross-bite which meant my teeth weren’t aligned properly which caused problems with chewing and biting.
‘My jaw was also continuing to grow which is unusual for my age so my cross-bite was only going to worsen.
‘I had to have my jaw bone shaved down in April 2016 to reduce the growth prior to double jaw surgery.’
Miss Craft is still recovering from her surgery at Exeter hospital, South Devon, and wants others to realise the severity of double jaw and genioplasty surgery.
The PR and communications executive, who was told her jaw growth was unusual as a child, said: ‘I would compare this surgery to being in a car crash.
In hope of a fix, she underwent double jaw surgery and a genioplasty, which involved breaking her jaw and chin bone to realign her face (pictured before surgery, left, and after, right)
Now, four months since her NHS surgery in November, Miss Craft, from Barnstaple, Devon, has a symmetrical smile for the first time in her life (pictured in hospital)
‘I thought this was just hyperbole when I read other blogs on double jaw surgery.
‘However, if I had known how uncomfortable, painful and testing it was going to be then I would have not gone through with the procedure.
‘You feel trapped in your own body and the lack of ability to communicate is frustrating; the days that follow surgery are extremely testing, what with your face swelling, dependency on drugs to ease pain and energy levels soon depleting.
‘It is a procedure that takes a lot of consideration and the recovery is very slow.’
Miss Craft continued: ‘Being sick with a broken jaw was excruciating and I remember digging my nails into my Mum and trying to remain calm.
‘You definitely need someone caring for you full time in the first two weeks post-op, as not only are you low on energy due to a liquid diet but your speech is limited and you will need a pen and paper at times.
‘I am now happy with my appearance and in a few months’ time should hopefully be back to my normal self.’
She wore a brace for two years and had four teeth removed before she was eligible for the life-changing procedures.
Miss Craft added: ‘My jaw and chin were broken at the same time and my chin rounded as this would result in the best bite and aesthetically I would be symmetrical with fuller lips and face profile.
‘I had braces for two years leading up to the surgery to get my teeth straight and ready to be realigned through surgery.
‘The whole journey has been a whirlwind and prior to surgery I was very nervous and I really did not know what to expect.
‘I am very happy with the results and I am pleased that my surgeon has made my face more symmetrical.’
However, she has revealed that she ‘would not have gone through’ with the surgery if she knew it was going to be ‘like being in a car crash’ (pictured before surgery)
Miss Craft is still recovering from her surgery at Exeter hospital, South Devon, and wants others to realise the severity of double jaw and genioplasty surgery (pictured before surgery)
Speaking for the first time, Miss Craft said: ‘When I first woke up I felt like I’d been in a car crash the pain was that intense’