Well, the orthodontist I saw in MI during college said he had done about 1500 cases using the twin block. Most of those patients ended up recessing and needing surgery, particularly females. There are tons of studies assessing the best time use the twin block and follow up results a couple of years later. I have yet to see any studies of the long term effects, stability, or whether the patients still required surgery. So, did the DJD cause the start of the recession, or did the twin block cause the DJD which resulted in the recession? I also have no idea if DJD had anything to do with the recession or if it was just a side effect of all the strain my jaw was under. Bottom line, I don't think the twin block solved the problem.
My lower teeth also went crooked within a year or so after braces. I was wearing my retainer most of the time. The orthodontist offered a spring retainer followed up with a permanent one. I turned it down, partially because I thought it was my fault and I didn't want to cost my parents any more money. I asked my current dentist, Dr. Mac, if my jaw would have recessed if I had gone through with this treatment plan. He informed me that my jaw likely would not have recessed.
He went on to tell me that my jaw still would not have been in a natural position, putting a lot of strain on the muscles. He asked me, "what happens if you just keep stretching an elastic waist band?" Eventually the band would lose its elasticity. Essentially, I would have been walking down the street one day, minding my business, and my jaw would have just dropped right open. Later, I met a co-worker who had friend that had that happen. The teeth will move if the upper and lower jaw are not in proper alignment.
