Tuesday, August 02, 2005
The Implant Surgery
I had my implant surgery on July 20, with Dr, Schwartz and Dr. Bloom. They opened up the gum where I am missing the tooth, inserted the implant (a titanium sccrew), then closed me back up. The screw is to be under the gums and not visible. The procedure was rather nerve-wracking, as I was incredibly nervous as usual. Even though there was very little pain, the knowledge of what they are doing really got to me. First there was the injection, then the cutting and scraping, and the worst part was the actual drilling, much havier than anything I had done before. There were X-Rays taken before, during and after. I wore and played my iPod throughout the procedure. I swear I could feel that pin going in, but Dr. Schwartz says that is impossible. Twice I asked for more novocaine, so I had three doses in all. At the end, she sewed me back up. She says I did have some bone grafting, but that my own bone tissue was used for that. (I will need to confirm this with her on our next visit.) I was given prescriptions for an antibiotic and some extra strength ibuprofen to keep the pain and swelling down. Before I left, Dr. Schwartz checked my positioner to see that it was not pushing on the implant site. That was OK, but she didn't like the way it was pushing on other areas of my gums, so she sent me down to see Dr. Weinstein, so that he could adjust it.
Follow-Up on the Implant
I had a follow-up with Dr. Schwartz on July 27, one week after the surgery. She said that she is "very pleased" with the way the tissue looks. She did not cut out any of the stitches, instead she said they would come out on their own. I subsequently cut some of them out myself, and today they are all out. The site seems to have healed quite well. Now we wait to see if the implant is succcessful. I go back for an Xray in early September.
The Positioner, and My Last Appointment With Dr. Weinstein
I continue to wear the positioner as much as possible. I had my last appointment with Dr. Weinstein on July 26, and he says that everything is fine. I expressed concern to both him and Dr. Han that my two front right teeth keep moving about when I am not wearing the positioner. I wish this were more stable. They said this sort of thing is normal, and that I should continue with the positioner for 8 more weeks. They may add a permanent retainer to my uppers in the future. I would not like to wear that, but I might feel better about the whole thing if I knew those teeth were going to stay put. Since Dr. Weinstein is graduating, I will now see Dr. Sukoff. My next visit with him is scheduled for Sept. 8.
I had my implant surgery on July 20, with Dr, Schwartz and Dr. Bloom. They opened up the gum where I am missing the tooth, inserted the implant (a titanium sccrew), then closed me back up. The screw is to be under the gums and not visible. The procedure was rather nerve-wracking, as I was incredibly nervous as usual. Even though there was very little pain, the knowledge of what they are doing really got to me. First there was the injection, then the cutting and scraping, and the worst part was the actual drilling, much havier than anything I had done before. There were X-Rays taken before, during and after. I wore and played my iPod throughout the procedure. I swear I could feel that pin going in, but Dr. Schwartz says that is impossible. Twice I asked for more novocaine, so I had three doses in all. At the end, she sewed me back up. She says I did have some bone grafting, but that my own bone tissue was used for that. (I will need to confirm this with her on our next visit.) I was given prescriptions for an antibiotic and some extra strength ibuprofen to keep the pain and swelling down. Before I left, Dr. Schwartz checked my positioner to see that it was not pushing on the implant site. That was OK, but she didn't like the way it was pushing on other areas of my gums, so she sent me down to see Dr. Weinstein, so that he could adjust it.
Follow-Up on the Implant
I had a follow-up with Dr. Schwartz on July 27, one week after the surgery. She said that she is "very pleased" with the way the tissue looks. She did not cut out any of the stitches, instead she said they would come out on their own. I subsequently cut some of them out myself, and today they are all out. The site seems to have healed quite well. Now we wait to see if the implant is succcessful. I go back for an Xray in early September.
The Positioner, and My Last Appointment With Dr. Weinstein
I continue to wear the positioner as much as possible. I had my last appointment with Dr. Weinstein on July 26, and he says that everything is fine. I expressed concern to both him and Dr. Han that my two front right teeth keep moving about when I am not wearing the positioner. I wish this were more stable. They said this sort of thing is normal, and that I should continue with the positioner for 8 more weeks. They may add a permanent retainer to my uppers in the future. I would not like to wear that, but I might feel better about the whole thing if I knew those teeth were going to stay put. Since Dr. Weinstein is graduating, I will now see Dr. Sukoff. My next visit with him is scheduled for Sept. 8.
Friday, July 08, 2005
The Braces Come Off
At my appointment on June 14, the braces were taken off. This was not as great a relief to me as I had hoed, due to the fact that the numbness in my left upper lip persists. It has been two years now since the palatal surgery. At the June 14 apointment, Dr. Weinstein took molds of my upper and lower teeth and made a temporary set of plastic retainers for me to wear. He called me back in the following day to have the molds re-done, as the first set was not good. At the June 14 appointment, he and Dr. Han filed down one of my lower incisors. I thought it looked just OK, and it felt horrible. I am glad to have not had any more of that done.
A Permanent Retainer Is Bonded to My Lower Incisors
Also on June 15, Dr. Weinstein attached a permanent wire retainer to the inside surface of my lower front incisors. This is to keep those teeth in proper alignment. I can't stand this thing. To begin with, it looks like it has been applied in a crooked manner. I cannot floss these teeth normally, and also it feels strange. Further, Dr. W and another dentist at NYU also told me not to bite into anny apples with the lower retainer. Fat chance I will give up apples after all I have been through.
The Plastic Retainers
The plastic retainers were awful. Not only was my bite still off with them, but they were difficult to remove and put back in, and they were terribly difficult to keep clean.
The Positioner
I went back on June 29 to get the positioner. Dr. han was not there for this appointment. The purpose of the positioner is to move my teeth into their final alignment, and then to act as a retainer. I was instructed to wear the positioner as close to nonstop as possible for the first three days, then overnight and as much additional time as possible subsequently. Unfortunately I developed a nasty sore throat almost immediately after getting the positioner. Two trips to the doctor later, it turns out that I have an ulcer in my throat caused by a virus, which is incredibly painful. I am on anti-viral medication and have been using magic mouthwash" prescribed by Dr. Patel. Dr. P assured me that the sore throat is not from the positioner (as I had suspected). My challenge now is to wear the positioner as much as possible. I have it on now. The more I bite into it, the more it seems to be helping, but I am concerned about my two front teeth, especially the one on the right, popping out again.
Missed Appointment With Dr. Weinstein
I missed my April 12 appointment with Dr. Weinstein, because I was in Michigan handling my parents' affairs following my father's death on March 27 and my mother's move into assisted living on April 14. During that time in Michigan, a lower molar bracket popped off, so I went to the office of my sister Peggy's roommate's father, who is a dentist and orthodontist, and they clipped the wire for me. I was able to reschedule with Dr. Weinstein for May 17, after I had returned to New York. At that appointment, Dr. W said I would get my braces off either the next appointment or the one after.
Dr. Schwartz
I had a consultation on March 23 with Dr. Jessica Schwartz in the Periodontics Department regarding my implant. I hit it off quite well with her. She explained the procedure to me and answered my questions. She also did some probing of my gums (I was numbed for this) to see if I need any additional bone grafting during the implant. I missed my cleaning appointment with her on March 28 due to the death in the family, so I went back on May 23 for a cleaning. The implant is scheduled for July 20. I am to receive a small bone graft at this appointment. I had to pay a deposit of $1300 for the implant and bone graft.
At my appointment on June 14, the braces were taken off. This was not as great a relief to me as I had hoed, due to the fact that the numbness in my left upper lip persists. It has been two years now since the palatal surgery. At the June 14 apointment, Dr. Weinstein took molds of my upper and lower teeth and made a temporary set of plastic retainers for me to wear. He called me back in the following day to have the molds re-done, as the first set was not good. At the June 14 appointment, he and Dr. Han filed down one of my lower incisors. I thought it looked just OK, and it felt horrible. I am glad to have not had any more of that done.
A Permanent Retainer Is Bonded to My Lower Incisors
Also on June 15, Dr. Weinstein attached a permanent wire retainer to the inside surface of my lower front incisors. This is to keep those teeth in proper alignment. I can't stand this thing. To begin with, it looks like it has been applied in a crooked manner. I cannot floss these teeth normally, and also it feels strange. Further, Dr. W and another dentist at NYU also told me not to bite into anny apples with the lower retainer. Fat chance I will give up apples after all I have been through.
The Plastic Retainers
The plastic retainers were awful. Not only was my bite still off with them, but they were difficult to remove and put back in, and they were terribly difficult to keep clean.
The Positioner
I went back on June 29 to get the positioner. Dr. han was not there for this appointment. The purpose of the positioner is to move my teeth into their final alignment, and then to act as a retainer. I was instructed to wear the positioner as close to nonstop as possible for the first three days, then overnight and as much additional time as possible subsequently. Unfortunately I developed a nasty sore throat almost immediately after getting the positioner. Two trips to the doctor later, it turns out that I have an ulcer in my throat caused by a virus, which is incredibly painful. I am on anti-viral medication and have been using magic mouthwash" prescribed by Dr. Patel. Dr. P assured me that the sore throat is not from the positioner (as I had suspected). My challenge now is to wear the positioner as much as possible. I have it on now. The more I bite into it, the more it seems to be helping, but I am concerned about my two front teeth, especially the one on the right, popping out again.
Missed Appointment With Dr. Weinstein
I missed my April 12 appointment with Dr. Weinstein, because I was in Michigan handling my parents' affairs following my father's death on March 27 and my mother's move into assisted living on April 14. During that time in Michigan, a lower molar bracket popped off, so I went to the office of my sister Peggy's roommate's father, who is a dentist and orthodontist, and they clipped the wire for me. I was able to reschedule with Dr. Weinstein for May 17, after I had returned to New York. At that appointment, Dr. W said I would get my braces off either the next appointment or the one after.
Dr. Schwartz
I had a consultation on March 23 with Dr. Jessica Schwartz in the Periodontics Department regarding my implant. I hit it off quite well with her. She explained the procedure to me and answered my questions. She also did some probing of my gums (I was numbed for this) to see if I need any additional bone grafting during the implant. I missed my cleaning appointment with her on March 28 due to the death in the family, so I went back on May 23 for a cleaning. The implant is scheduled for July 20. I am to receive a small bone graft at this appointment. I had to pay a deposit of $1300 for the implant and bone graft.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Powerchains on Top and Bottom
At my visit this week at NYU Orthodontics, Dr. Han had Dr. Weinstein use stronger archwires but continue the "piggyback" wire holding in my upper back molars. He removed some of the extra wires in front, and used powerchains over both the upper and lower arch wires. (These powerchains are silver colored and look kinda cool.) The purpose of the powerchains is to close the gaps between my teeth. The rubberband regimen was changed for me as well. Now, instead of wearing the triangle shaped configuration, I am to wear weaker bands running from the lower back molars to the upper front canines. Before I left, Dr. Han took a look in my mouth and saw that I am biting down on the lower archwire. This did not seem to make much of a difference. But since my appointment on Tuesday, I have been biting down on the bracket, so now instead of having a bite that is off I basically have no bite, as I can make no contact at all. My next appointmnet is in five weeks.
An Appointment Set Up for the Implant
I am finally at the point at which I can begin the implant. Dr. Weinstein took me up to the Seventh Floor and introduced me to a periodontal resident, Dr. Jessica Schwartz, who will do my implant. I set up an appointment to meet with her in two weeks.
At my visit this week at NYU Orthodontics, Dr. Han had Dr. Weinstein use stronger archwires but continue the "piggyback" wire holding in my upper back molars. He removed some of the extra wires in front, and used powerchains over both the upper and lower arch wires. (These powerchains are silver colored and look kinda cool.) The purpose of the powerchains is to close the gaps between my teeth. The rubberband regimen was changed for me as well. Now, instead of wearing the triangle shaped configuration, I am to wear weaker bands running from the lower back molars to the upper front canines. Before I left, Dr. Han took a look in my mouth and saw that I am biting down on the lower archwire. This did not seem to make much of a difference. But since my appointment on Tuesday, I have been biting down on the bracket, so now instead of having a bite that is off I basically have no bite, as I can make no contact at all. My next appointmnet is in five weeks.
An Appointment Set Up for the Implant
I am finally at the point at which I can begin the implant. Dr. Weinstein took me up to the Seventh Floor and introduced me to a periodontal resident, Dr. Jessica Schwartz, who will do my implant. I set up an appointment to meet with her in two weeks.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Wire Is Clipped
I went to see Dr. Weinstein on Tuesday morning, to have him clip the wire from the upper left bracket that was sticking out and poking me. He said he was pleased with the way my upper back molars had moved. Since my appointment last week, gaps have opened up in my upper arch. Dr. W says this was intentional. Also, for the past week, with the two wires for my upper arch, I've had a lot more difficulty in keeping my teeth and braces clean after eating. I go back in two weeks.
I went to see Dr. Weinstein on Tuesday morning, to have him clip the wire from the upper left bracket that was sticking out and poking me. He said he was pleased with the way my upper back molars had moved. Since my appointment last week, gaps have opened up in my upper arch. Dr. W says this was intentional. Also, for the past week, with the two wires for my upper arch, I've had a lot more difficulty in keeping my teeth and braces clean after eating. I go back in two weeks.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
New Hardware, and Bite Is Still Off
My appointment with Dr. Weinstein and Dr. Han was on Tuesday. I was there for almost three hours. They exmained me, and we again discussed my bite. Dr. Han insists that my bite is fine. I don't agree. My teeth don't fit together in the back. They don't contact the way they used to. At this appointment, Dr. Weinstein attached brackets to the far back upper molars, then did a "piggyback" extra wire. So now I have two wires on top. They did not rebracket the upper incisors. They said that this might make me feel like my bite is getting better, or it might make it feeel worse.
Cleaning
The NYU receptionists continue to be unprofessional. My cleaning appointment was for Tuesday, Jan. 25, but after waiting for 45 minutes they told me the hygienist did not show up and I had to reschedule. When I came back on Thursday the 27th, they charged me $50 instead of the usual $100. That was a nice gesture, but I am still annoyed. The hygienist on Thursday was very nice, and gentle.
Wire Poking Me in the Back
There is a wire poking me out the back of the new upper bracket on the left. It is so bad that I am going to go back to Dr. W to get it clipped.
My appointment with Dr. Weinstein and Dr. Han was on Tuesday. I was there for almost three hours. They exmained me, and we again discussed my bite. Dr. Han insists that my bite is fine. I don't agree. My teeth don't fit together in the back. They don't contact the way they used to. At this appointment, Dr. Weinstein attached brackets to the far back upper molars, then did a "piggyback" extra wire. So now I have two wires on top. They did not rebracket the upper incisors. They said that this might make me feel like my bite is getting better, or it might make it feeel worse.
Cleaning
The NYU receptionists continue to be unprofessional. My cleaning appointment was for Tuesday, Jan. 25, but after waiting for 45 minutes they told me the hygienist did not show up and I had to reschedule. When I came back on Thursday the 27th, they charged me $50 instead of the usual $100. That was a nice gesture, but I am still annoyed. The hygienist on Thursday was very nice, and gentle.
Wire Poking Me in the Back
There is a wire poking me out the back of the new upper bracket on the left. It is so bad that I am going to go back to Dr. W to get it clipped.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Four New Brackets and a Stronger Wire Downstairs
Today Dr. Han examned me first, gave Dr. Weinstein instructions, then left. The plan was for Dr. Weinstein to give me a stronger lower archwire, and to replace misaligned lower brackets as necessary. Dr. Weinstein first popped off three brackets and rebonded them. For this he had to grind off the old bonding agent (at one point he pushed too hard and caused me great pain), then I had to wear the plastic spacers in my mouth while he glued, placed and bonded the brackets. I rinsed. Then, after I had gone through all of that, he decided he wanted to rebond the lower right canine as well, so we repeated the process all over again for that one tooth. Then, he realized he had used the wrong brackets on the first lower three, so he had to pop those back off and repeat the process a third time. He also added a power chain to the lower right side molars, to close a gap there. I am to continue wearing the triangle bands 24/7 and to come back in three weeks.
My Bite
Dr. Han asked me how my bite was doing, and I told him that I think it is still off, that my teeth are not contacting normally but are instead hitting at a bad angle, tilting with an opening between them toward the inside of my mouth. He examined my mouth very carefully and then proclained that my bite is fine.
Good Progress, and the Plan for Going Forward
Before I left today, Dr. Weisntein took some pictures of my face and teeth, and he showed me the progress we have made. And despite all of my displeasure with my bite, the facial numbness, and the aggravation of everything, my teeth are in fact in much better alignment now. He talked to me about my bite and assured me that all will be fine by the end of treatment. He also showed me that my two upper far back molars are going to be dealt with soon. They are going to put brackets on them and swing them in a bit. This will also help my bite, hopefully.
The Reception Desk Is Still a Nightmare
The reception desk and waiting area at NYU Orthodontics is a chaotic mess. The receptionists, who check in patients and fill out forms, are rude and slow. I signed in at 9:30 for my 9:45 appointment. Dr. Weinstein was sick of waitinig for me, so at 9:50 he called me back without having signed in. Then at 10:00, my name was called, so I had to go back to the reception desk and check in with them between having my teeth examined and worked on. There are not enough chairs to accommodate the people in the waiting room (often it is standing room only), and the chairs they do have are uncomfortable and too closely spaced together. Of course, all of these are minor issues compared to the real problems I have with my teeth, my bite and the lingering numbness in my face.
Today Dr. Han examned me first, gave Dr. Weinstein instructions, then left. The plan was for Dr. Weinstein to give me a stronger lower archwire, and to replace misaligned lower brackets as necessary. Dr. Weinstein first popped off three brackets and rebonded them. For this he had to grind off the old bonding agent (at one point he pushed too hard and caused me great pain), then I had to wear the plastic spacers in my mouth while he glued, placed and bonded the brackets. I rinsed. Then, after I had gone through all of that, he decided he wanted to rebond the lower right canine as well, so we repeated the process all over again for that one tooth. Then, he realized he had used the wrong brackets on the first lower three, so he had to pop those back off and repeat the process a third time. He also added a power chain to the lower right side molars, to close a gap there. I am to continue wearing the triangle bands 24/7 and to come back in three weeks.
My Bite
Dr. Han asked me how my bite was doing, and I told him that I think it is still off, that my teeth are not contacting normally but are instead hitting at a bad angle, tilting with an opening between them toward the inside of my mouth. He examined my mouth very carefully and then proclained that my bite is fine.
Good Progress, and the Plan for Going Forward
Before I left today, Dr. Weisntein took some pictures of my face and teeth, and he showed me the progress we have made. And despite all of my displeasure with my bite, the facial numbness, and the aggravation of everything, my teeth are in fact in much better alignment now. He talked to me about my bite and assured me that all will be fine by the end of treatment. He also showed me that my two upper far back molars are going to be dealt with soon. They are going to put brackets on them and swing them in a bit. This will also help my bite, hopefully.
The Reception Desk Is Still a Nightmare
The reception desk and waiting area at NYU Orthodontics is a chaotic mess. The receptionists, who check in patients and fill out forms, are rude and slow. I signed in at 9:30 for my 9:45 appointment. Dr. Weinstein was sick of waitinig for me, so at 9:50 he called me back without having signed in. Then at 10:00, my name was called, so I had to go back to the reception desk and check in with them between having my teeth examined and worked on. There are not enough chairs to accommodate the people in the waiting room (often it is standing room only), and the chairs they do have are uncomfortable and too closely spaced together. Of course, all of these are minor issues compared to the real problems I have with my teeth, my bite and the lingering numbness in my face.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Two Visits to Dr. Weinstein
I went to see Dr. Weinstein last week. Dr. Han was not there. He removed the elastic mesh from the lower that had been used to close the gaps between my lower incisors, then he used WIRE to fasten my lower teeth together. This process took forever and was immensely difficult and painful to endure. At the end of it my lower gum was bleeding, my lip was raw, and by the end off the day the archwire on the bottom had popped out! This had been the most awful visit I had yet endured there, and I complained to Dr. Weinstein that I did not go through such hell when I had braces as a teen. Since the wire was not engaged on the bottom, I called Dr. Weinstein the next day (it took three attempts to reach him due to the rude and unhelpful NYU staff), and he had me come back in. This time, after removing the barbed wire from my mouth, he used a regular power chain. He says I have calculus deposits in my brackets that prevent them from being opened properly. Before I left I told him that due to the lingering numbness and discomfort in my face I regret having had the SARPE. My next appointment is on Jan. 11. He intends to re-bond my backets then.
My Bite Is Still Off
I am still greatly concerned about my bite. My teeth don't fit together in back, and I don't understand how they are going to get them to fit or even stay that way. He wants me to wear the triangle rubberbands on both sides in front 24/7. This is especially difficult to do during the day, especially with my schedule of going on appointments, etc.
I went to see Dr. Weinstein last week. Dr. Han was not there. He removed the elastic mesh from the lower that had been used to close the gaps between my lower incisors, then he used WIRE to fasten my lower teeth together. This process took forever and was immensely difficult and painful to endure. At the end of it my lower gum was bleeding, my lip was raw, and by the end off the day the archwire on the bottom had popped out! This had been the most awful visit I had yet endured there, and I complained to Dr. Weinstein that I did not go through such hell when I had braces as a teen. Since the wire was not engaged on the bottom, I called Dr. Weinstein the next day (it took three attempts to reach him due to the rude and unhelpful NYU staff), and he had me come back in. This time, after removing the barbed wire from my mouth, he used a regular power chain. He says I have calculus deposits in my brackets that prevent them from being opened properly. Before I left I told him that due to the lingering numbness and discomfort in my face I regret having had the SARPE. My next appointment is on Jan. 11. He intends to re-bond my backets then.
My Bite Is Still Off
I am still greatly concerned about my bite. My teeth don't fit together in back, and I don't understand how they are going to get them to fit or even stay that way. He wants me to wear the triangle rubberbands on both sides in front 24/7. This is especially difficult to do during the day, especially with my schedule of going on appointments, etc.
