Day 81: Light at the end of the tunnel
I was completely expecting my braces to be on a good 6-9 months post-surgery but to be told it might only be a total of 3 or 4 months is great news, especially given my post last week concerning my crooked teeth!
The teeth that are most crooked in terms of not having a straight line when looking at them are the bottom front teeth. My Orthodontist told me that essentially I have two options where one of my teeth are concerned; the tooth that needs to be raised significantly to be at the same level as the other teeth will either need to have a crown and bridge attached or else he can grind tal three/ four so that they would be level and smooth. He thinks that the crown would be difficult given the size of the tooth and the fact that is a bottom front tooth and his recommendation was simply to grind them. Sounded fine to me so that is what he will do . . .
This adventure seems to be drawing to a close, it really does :)
Hi John, I am so glad your braces journey may be over soon... how is the chewing part? I haven't heard if you are chewing.
ReplyDeleteI am about to hit 1 month with braces, I am waiting for my suresmile wire to come in a month in a half. So far my teeth haven't move so much.
Dr. is talking about a lefort and expanding my top jaw with surgery..ouch.
I hope all is well, I can't wait to hear about the chewing....quick question, how long it took for your bottom jaw nerve to come back?
Take care!
Sam
@Samascl - thanks for the questions! In terms of chewing and numbness, I just updated my blog (Day 126 - Time Flies and General Update) which talks about those very subjects! Have a look and if the post doesn't answer your question, let me know and I will be more specific!
Delete1 month with braces? First month is never fun but it DOES get better, I promise! :) Keep us updated on your 'journey'! :)
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteAre you still blogging or is your journey over? I am Day 34 Post Op and have had enoguh already. Numb tongue, numb chin, numb lower lip and so on. Enough already. I am an older patient (over 50) and have high anxiety over the nerve regeneration. The post op has seemed so long and I look forward to the day of being myself and not blogging any more. Is that Day 82 and is that the day when all this was totally behind you?
@Anonymous - I am still blogging, sorry I haven't posted in a while. Combination of things but I just posted a new entry providing details and updates on many aspects of recovery and where I stand to date.
DeleteI am 40 years old and like you, the numbness and nerve issues are an irritation to say the least. I talked about it extensively in my new post (Day 126) but honestly, the recovery process DOES get easier or at least you adapt and accept the issues! :)
I wish everything was behind me but the reality is that there is nothing I can do about the numbness and nerves and so I just have to let the healing process take its own course and move on.
Day 34 is still relatively early in the recovery cycle and so hang on in there and focus on the end goal . . . Keep us all updated on your recovery!
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteHow are you? I am day 75 and the last 3 weeks have been very positive. Starting to get some tingling in chin and lower lip. Still have trouble chewing as I bite my lip and cheek. The numbness has been such a concern (I am an older patient) and I am anxious to go to my Ortho next week and see what he says/does. Are you gaining feeling back? Are you chewing? What is your status? I have very much appreciated following your journey and just lookng for an update. What are you, about Day 150?
@Anon: I am glad that you have the 'tingling' sensation - that is very positive news indeed! Biting your mouth and lips are definitely inconvenient (!) but it actually gets better either through being able to feel once again or simply through subconsciously re-lerarning how to eat and where to chew so as to not bite your lips and cheeks!
ReplyDeleteAs for numbness, I understand your concerns. I am 40 years old and my Ortho. surgeon simply tells me that 'due to my age' the period of time it takes to once again have feeling in my lips and chin will be longer than a 'younger' patient. Ouch on many levels!
As for chewing, that is a relative term I have to say. I can chew far better on the right side of my mouth than my left and so I am trying to focus on chewing on my left side even though it is painful to do so. I can chew pastas and some breads but as for meat and harder foods, simply not working out too well presently. This is mainly due to the fact that I have a completely different chewing and bite pattern than I did before my surgery and it will all work out just fine, just takes time! :)
Good luck and continued success with your recovery!