New Pics!!!

Well, I haven't posted since last week, my daughter plays soccer and it seems as though I haven't had an extra minute for myself. I know, I know poor excuse. I told myelf I would be better about this and I will try a little harder from now on.
I've been a little down lately. I feel like nothing more is changing and I can't wait to have this stupid expander out!
I know I mentioned this before but, my lips are still really hurting me. They always burn and feel incredibly chapped. It seems like it doesn't matter how much chapstick I put on them, they still hurt. When I was at the Ortho's office the other day, Heather told me it was probably due to the fact that I am a mouth breather. I'm sure this is part of it because I know for a fact when I wake up my lips and mouth are dryer than the sahara.
Okay, I received my pics from the Ortho's office sooner than I expected so, I'm going to post a few before and after's. I am just learning this whole blogging thing but, I'm hoping to have all of my pics posted to a link soon. Maybe some of my other Ortho. buddies will help me with this task. Shontell???
I also wanted to tell Shontell CONGRATS on having your expander removed!!! It must feel sooo good!!! I can't wait!!!

Gotta love the wire!

Boy were my teeth killing me. I couldn't wait for her to put that wire back on. My husband was really surprised. He was saying how he thought it would feel good not having it on. Just the opposite! It made me wonder what it would feel like when after everything I need done is completed, will it hurt like that when my braces are removed. Hmm. I guess I can relax... don't need to worry about that one for a while!
So my gap has closed except for the triangle like hole up by my gumline. I know it's better than the gap but, I'm not fancying this much either. Sometimes spit bubbles or whatever I am drinking tries to shoot out of it. Gross!!! I asked about it when I went to the Ortho's office. She told me it would probably stay that way until he puts in a square wire. Anyone know when that comes?? I was hoping the stainless steel one would do the trick.
I also think that my open bite has gotten worse. I'm almost 4 months post op. from my SARPE, did anyone else have trouble biting and using their front teeth at this stage of the game. They still seem so sensitive and unstable. Maybe I should stop being such a worrywart and just bite!
I'll have to post a few new pics so you can see my triangle.

For now, I'll just go back to counting the days till my next appt. 26 and counting.....

Nice and Clean

Today, I went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. Part of me was a little nervous because things are still a little sensitive but, the other part of me couldn't wait to have a good cleaning. So, off I went to the Ortho's office to have my wire and power chain removed. My Ortho's office was actually closed today because he is opening another office. One of the girls stayed on to do a few things at my office so it was going to work out well for me today... or so I thought. After I got there, she told me she was having childcare issues and wouldn't be able to put my wire back in today. UGH!!!! So I have to go back tomorrow morning at 7:15. My teeth are already screaming they want the wire back on!!!! It really hurts without it, more than I thought it would.
The cleaning went well. It was a new girl, very quiet. I think I made her a little nervous. She kept asking if I was okay. She asked if it was okay for me to open up my mouth for that long. I guess the best part of the day though was that she said I was doing a good job.

While I was at the Orthos office today, I asked if I could have a copy of my before pictures. She said she would have them ready for me at my next appt. on Oct. 16, so I'll make sure to post those then.

Does anyone have any trouble with sore lips. My lips feel like they are always incredibly chapped and burning. I asked at my appt. today and she said it is probably because I am a mouth breather and my lips get very dry. I do use alot of chapstick but it doesn't seem to be helping much. Any ideas???

My husband and a group of our friends that I don't see often went to go see the Patriots game last night. We tailgated beforehand and I barely ate anything. I just feel like I must look quite ridiculous when I eat. This expander takes any enjoyment out of eating and I also feel like since my surgery, that chewing is just weird. It's hard for me to explain but, it's just not right.
I always put my hand in front of my mouth when I chew too.

Okay, Okay, enough whining for now. I hope my Ortho. buddies are all doing well.

Duh!!!!

I forgot to tell you... Next appointment is October 16th!!

Owwww!!!

I woke up this morning with a headache and my front teeth were quite sore. I forgot to mention yesterday that they also tied one of my right molars (number 4) somehow so that it gets pushed up into the gum a little. Not sure exactly how they do this but, it aches!
I'm tired so, I know it wasn't a good nights sleep.

I think I need some ibuprofen!

Ortho. update

Okay, so I really enjoyed my appointment today. I felt like I really got some questions answered that have been weighing on me.
I first wanted to start off though by telling you who my Oral Surgeon and my Orthodontist are. I haven’t done this yet and I feel it is important to tell you who the people are that are making such an impact on my life. My O.S. is Dr. Weldon, he is one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. My Ortho. is Dr. Post, he has made me feel like I am his only patient. He continues to make me feel very special and he truly makes me feel like we are on this journey together and that he also truly cares about the outcome as much as I do.
Okay, on to my treatment.
My first question to Dr. Post today was, "Why wasn't my expander tied off?" He told me that years ago he used to do that, but hasn't in quite a while. He feels it's definitely not necessary and has never had a problem with not tying them off.
Next, I asked about getting my bottom braces on. He told me he wanted to wait while he focused on my top teeth. He tells me we have a lot of work to do up there first. This was a little disappointing because I feel like we’re wasting time but, I have faith in his decisions.
I then asked the biggest question of the day… When will my expander come out??? He started to say late November, early December. I told him I was really hoping to have it out right before Thanksgiving, which would be 6 LONG months. He thought for a moment calculating the time and then said… Let’s take it out early November! He said he just wants to make sure that my bone has had enough time to heal before he removes it.
Woo Hoo!!!! I finally have a timeframe to look forward to.
So today, I had an 018 Nickel Titanium wire put on and a power chain that goes across my 4 front teeth. (numbers 7 – 10) I’m a little sore right now. My small power chain that I had on last time didn’t really bother me much, I think because things were still a little numb from my surgery. So, although it means I have some discomfort, it does mean that things are healing. He tells me next time I will get a stainless steel wire and that will start to really move things together.

My countdown begins…

A couple of new pics

Just thought I would post a couple of my newest pics. My Ortho. appt. is tomorrow, I can't wait!! I'll post after the appt. to let you know how it went.

I haven't posted in a few days because things have pretty much stayed the same. The only thing I have noticed is that while the powerchain has certainly helped with the gap between my two front teeth, it seems to be making gaps elsewhere. Funny how I always seem to have something that bothers me. I guess I just need to be more patient.
My next appt. is coming up on Tuesday the 11th. I have a few questions for him. First, I want to ask him about why my expander was never tied off. It seems as though everyone I have spoken to has had their expander tied off after expansion was completed. I'm a little worried and I am hoping that everything has stayed put. I think it has but... I still better ask. Secondly, I just want to confirm with him that my expander will be coming out within a 2 1/2 month timeframe. I know he originally told me 6 months and it's only been 3 1/2, I'm just getting anxious. I want this thing out so bad. I hate the way I speak with it and eating since this thing has been in has been honestly, very unenjoyable! My tongue is almost always sore.
On a good note though, I really am still amazed at how fast my teeth have all been moving. I try sometimes to visualize what they will look like. Anything has to be better than the crooked mess they were.
I still wish my next surgery was coming up sooner. I am hoping for spring instead of next summer. I want to mention this to my Ortho. too. I wonder if his other adult patients are as anxious as me?? My youngest daughter has braces and I never hear her looking forward to her next appt. like I do.
I'll post with a new pic soon.