Is my case hopeless? Doing mewing + retainers + posture. Planning MARPE next year. Need advice.

[VelvetAscension]

Hi everyone, I'm 16 and currently doing mewing seriously every day.
I also sleep with retainers that were given to me after braces — they help maintain my bite, but I’m wondering if they’re limiting my jaw from moving naturally forward.

I’ve noticed that my lower jaw is slightly recessed, and I don’t see much improvement from mewing alone.
Next summer, I’m planning to get MARPE because my upper jaw is narrow, and the orthodontist said it could help expand my midface.
They also mentioned that my TMJ might be slightly misaligned and that the right side of my face could look more balanced after correction.

I’m just not sure if:
– The retainers are holding back natural progress
– MARPE alone can help the mandible "unlock" forward
– Or if I’ll need surgical help later (like BSSO)

Any advice from people with similar experiences or who did MARPE or BSSO?
I’d love to hear what worked and what didn’t.

Thanks in advance (I'm ready for the worst)

 

[opfere]

you're too old for mewing to have a real impact alone. its more for young faces to maintain the structure they had as a baby. the damage is done already and your tongue alone is not enough force anymore to separate the sutures in the upper palate and widen it / push it upward. however its a good lifetime habit and you should be doing it 24/7 anyway for health reasons and to prevent any downward growth in future

 

[VelvetAscension]

you're too old for mewing to have a real impact alone. its more for young faces to maintain the structure they had as a baby. the damage is done already and your tongue alone is not enough force anymore to separate the sutures in the upper palate and widen it / push it upward. however its a good lifetime habit and you should be doing it 24/7 anyway for health reasons and to prevent any downward growth in future

 

[VelvetAscension]

Thanks, man. Yeah, I get that mewing won’t change bone much at this age, but I’m still doing it daily for health and stability.





Do you think BSSO is the only real option for visible jaw projection in my case?


Also, would MARPE possibly give any improvement to facial structure on its own?

 

[opfere]

Thanks, man. Yeah, I get that mewing won’t change bone much at this age, but I’m still doing it daily for health and stability.





Do you think BSSO is the only real option for visible jaw projection in my case?


Also, would MARPE possibly give any improvement to facial structure on its own?

of course BSSO would work however its up to you whether you want to go that route and I wouldn't until you're at least 18-19 and done growing.

MARPE would help but in your case it's not really the maxilla that needs expanding as it needs to be harmonious with the mandible. also the hyoid needs raising too.

but you're not in an awful situation. if you wanted to softmaxx I can recommend contacts for first.. as well as a sharper haircut which will make the jaw stand out more possibly a fade which would give the illusion of a longer ramus

 

[opfere]

of course BSSO would work however its up to you whether you want to go that route and I wouldn't until you're at least 18-19 and done growing.

MARPE would help but in your case it's not really the maxilla that needs expanding as it needs to be harmonious with the mandible. also the hyoid needs raising too.

but you're not in an awful situation. if you wanted to softmaxx I can recommend contacts for first.. as well as a sharper haircut which will make the jaw stand out more possibly a fade which would give the illusion of a longer ramus

also it seems like you have some skin issues. I had the same up until I turned 18 so im confident it'll surpass soon maybe try and get sunlight more. take things like beta carotene, astaxanthin and lycopene to improve your colouring which will mask the spots