Monday, September 29, 2003
How I'm Feeling Now
I have been down in the dumps for a while now about my jaw surgery and my recovery (or lack of recovery) from it. The surgery was July 18, and yet over two months later I am still numb and stiff in my upper lip, nose and face. I thought that for sure I would have been better by now. In addition to all of the lingering facial discomfort, my teeth are sore, and in the back they no longer fit together. The result of that is that I am still not able to chew very well, so I am still eating soft foods. This has really messed up my diet. I have been eating pasta and ice cream almost every night, and while I have not gotten fat (at least not yet anyway) I feel terrible about my eating habits. I have also not been as motivated as I should be at the gym, and I have missed a lot of workouts. I am really trying to turn over a new leaf, but not being able to eat right really has put a damper on my whole well-being. I have been getting a protein shake almmost every day, which is a good thing, but I so much want to bite into an apple or crunch on some wheaties with skim milk. Anyway.
Cleaning Today
I had a cleaning today with Dr. Varnai. Because I am such a wimp about having my teeth poked and scraped, I really hate the process of getting my teeth cleaned, but I am always very happy to have clean teeth when it is all over. It cost $100, and I asked that they send it in to the insurance company. The reception desk on the 7th floor is always a hectic, chaotic mess of confusion.
I have been down in the dumps for a while now about my jaw surgery and my recovery (or lack of recovery) from it. The surgery was July 18, and yet over two months later I am still numb and stiff in my upper lip, nose and face. I thought that for sure I would have been better by now. In addition to all of the lingering facial discomfort, my teeth are sore, and in the back they no longer fit together. The result of that is that I am still not able to chew very well, so I am still eating soft foods. This has really messed up my diet. I have been eating pasta and ice cream almost every night, and while I have not gotten fat (at least not yet anyway) I feel terrible about my eating habits. I have also not been as motivated as I should be at the gym, and I have missed a lot of workouts. I am really trying to turn over a new leaf, but not being able to eat right really has put a damper on my whole well-being. I have been getting a protein shake almmost every day, which is a good thing, but I so much want to bite into an apple or crunch on some wheaties with skim milk. Anyway.
Cleaning Today
I had a cleaning today with Dr. Varnai. Because I am such a wimp about having my teeth poked and scraped, I really hate the process of getting my teeth cleaned, but I am always very happy to have clean teeth when it is all over. It cost $100, and I asked that they send it in to the insurance company. The reception desk on the 7th floor is always a hectic, chaotic mess of confusion.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Another Visit Today
I went to see Dr. Weston today. I had emailed him to tell him about the difficulty I had been having with the upper hook irritating my tongue, so he had me come in today so that he could re-fashion it. The business end of the new upper hook, also made of brass wire and connected to the expander device in the roof of my mouth, points up and above the bar, so that it does not poke down onto my tongue. I am so happy that this has been fixed. I feel like the lion who had the thorn removed from his paw by Androcles. What a relief. I also was given two bags of tighter rubber bands to use in place of the original ones. Dr. Weston took digital photographs today of my teeth. Also today, Dr. Han examined me. (Yes, I have been spelling his name incorrectly until now.) I have observed that Dr. Han is much more conservative in his approach to treatment than the other faculty members at NYU Orthodontics. I really like Dr. Han a lot, and I feel comfortable with him and confident in his decisions regarding my treatment. He doesn't seem to think that wearing the rubber band will do me much good. He's going to be monitoring that carefully.
Also Today, Dr. Karlis
Dr. Karlis also saw me today. I had emailed her about the lingering numbness and stiffness in my face. She says I will get my feeling back, but it will take more time. She said it will be months rather than weeks. She said that if I am still havng trouble six months after the surgery, then we will talk about "doing something." It has only been a little over two months since the surgery at this point. She wants me to stick my finger up inside my upper lip and gently massage the incision site, to loosen up and soften the scar. She also says that exercising my face by scrunching, etc., is a good idea if it makes me feel better. I have actually been feeling a little bit more sensation in the right side of my upper lip, but the left side is still very numb. My upper gums are still 95% numb. The right upper lip is 40% numb. The left upper lip is 85% numb. I am also stiff underneath on both sides, and in my nose, especially my lower nose. I am also still feeling the phantom nose dripping sensation on the left.
On the Schedule
Dr. Karlis said today that I can get my cleaning now, so I scheduled an appointment for Monday with Dr. Varnai. I know she will be glad to get her dental instruments back in my mouth. I will see Dr. Weston again on Oct. 8.
I went to see Dr. Weston today. I had emailed him to tell him about the difficulty I had been having with the upper hook irritating my tongue, so he had me come in today so that he could re-fashion it. The business end of the new upper hook, also made of brass wire and connected to the expander device in the roof of my mouth, points up and above the bar, so that it does not poke down onto my tongue. I am so happy that this has been fixed. I feel like the lion who had the thorn removed from his paw by Androcles. What a relief. I also was given two bags of tighter rubber bands to use in place of the original ones. Dr. Weston took digital photographs today of my teeth. Also today, Dr. Han examined me. (Yes, I have been spelling his name incorrectly until now.) I have observed that Dr. Han is much more conservative in his approach to treatment than the other faculty members at NYU Orthodontics. I really like Dr. Han a lot, and I feel comfortable with him and confident in his decisions regarding my treatment. He doesn't seem to think that wearing the rubber band will do me much good. He's going to be monitoring that carefully.
Also Today, Dr. Karlis
Dr. Karlis also saw me today. I had emailed her about the lingering numbness and stiffness in my face. She says I will get my feeling back, but it will take more time. She said it will be months rather than weeks. She said that if I am still havng trouble six months after the surgery, then we will talk about "doing something." It has only been a little over two months since the surgery at this point. She wants me to stick my finger up inside my upper lip and gently massage the incision site, to loosen up and soften the scar. She also says that exercising my face by scrunching, etc., is a good idea if it makes me feel better. I have actually been feeling a little bit more sensation in the right side of my upper lip, but the left side is still very numb. My upper gums are still 95% numb. The right upper lip is 40% numb. The left upper lip is 85% numb. I am also stiff underneath on both sides, and in my nose, especially my lower nose. I am also still feeling the phantom nose dripping sensation on the left.
On the Schedule
Dr. Karlis said today that I can get my cleaning now, so I scheduled an appointment for Monday with Dr. Varnai. I know she will be glad to get her dental instruments back in my mouth. I will see Dr. Weston again on Oct. 8.
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Now, Hooks and a Rubber Band
I had my appointment with Dr. Weston today. He examined me, and he was happy to see that the gap between my two front teeth had narrowed. He explained that the movement back has been caused by ressure from my upper lip. I guess scrunching my lip to exercise it has caused the teeth to come back together. He says the lingering numbness and discomfort in my upper lip, upper gums and nose is to be expected. Before I left, he added a "button" hook device to the outside of the lower right molar that is sticking out, and he fashioned a brass wire hook to the expander device on the inside left. A rubber band, which I am to wear 24/7 except when I eat, goes from the bottom button to the upper hook. This is to bring that lower right tooth into line. It will improve my bite (allowing me to chew again, hpefully!) and will give the docs a chance to better evaluate my bite. Now my chore is to get used to the hook and band. It's not painful but is certainly very annoying!
Time Frame for Going Forward
I asked Dr. Weston today about the time frame for getting on with things. He says he will put the braces on in another month or two. It's not certain when, but he will put the braces on while the expander is still in. The expander won't come off until after the first of the year. He says that at this point he thinks the braces will be for one year. The implant won't be able to be started until the very end of the braces treatment, and while I am having that done he will leave a portion of the braces on in that area after the rest of my braces come off. I am still on the fence between metal vs. clear braces. If it's only going to be a year, I can live with the metal.
Re-Contouring
Today Dr. Weston explained to me that I have major gum recession. This has caused my teeth to look longer than the average person. This was most interesting for me to hear, as I always just figured I had long teeth. He says that by "re-contouring" my teeth, that the gums might be persuaded to grow down over more of my teeth. "Re-contouring" is another term for filing of my teeth, which frightens and horrrifies me greatly. How awful. But if it is necessary to make the gums grow, then so be it.
I had my appointment with Dr. Weston today. He examined me, and he was happy to see that the gap between my two front teeth had narrowed. He explained that the movement back has been caused by ressure from my upper lip. I guess scrunching my lip to exercise it has caused the teeth to come back together. He says the lingering numbness and discomfort in my upper lip, upper gums and nose is to be expected. Before I left, he added a "button" hook device to the outside of the lower right molar that is sticking out, and he fashioned a brass wire hook to the expander device on the inside left. A rubber band, which I am to wear 24/7 except when I eat, goes from the bottom button to the upper hook. This is to bring that lower right tooth into line. It will improve my bite (allowing me to chew again, hpefully!) and will give the docs a chance to better evaluate my bite. Now my chore is to get used to the hook and band. It's not painful but is certainly very annoying!
Time Frame for Going Forward
I asked Dr. Weston today about the time frame for getting on with things. He says he will put the braces on in another month or two. It's not certain when, but he will put the braces on while the expander is still in. The expander won't come off until after the first of the year. He says that at this point he thinks the braces will be for one year. The implant won't be able to be started until the very end of the braces treatment, and while I am having that done he will leave a portion of the braces on in that area after the rest of my braces come off. I am still on the fence between metal vs. clear braces. If it's only going to be a year, I can live with the metal.
Re-Contouring
Today Dr. Weston explained to me that I have major gum recession. This has caused my teeth to look longer than the average person. This was most interesting for me to hear, as I always just figured I had long teeth. He says that by "re-contouring" my teeth, that the gums might be persuaded to grow down over more of my teeth. "Re-contouring" is another term for filing of my teeth, which frightens and horrrifies me greatly. How awful. But if it is necessary to make the gums grow, then so be it.
Sunday, September 07, 2003
7 Weeks Post-Op
This weekend I am seven weeks out of the SARPE surgery. My two front teeth have drifted back together a great deal, to the point at which they are almost touching at the bottom. They are drifting closer at the bottom, but at the top they are still apart. My upper lip and nose are still sore, swollen and numb. I am still not able to chew solid foods, due to my teeth not fitting together in the back. Outwardly, I look almost 100% normal. My next appointment is on Thursday with Dr. Weston. I hope to learn more at that time.
This weekend I am seven weeks out of the SARPE surgery. My two front teeth have drifted back together a great deal, to the point at which they are almost touching at the bottom. They are drifting closer at the bottom, but at the top they are still apart. My upper lip and nose are still sore, swollen and numb. I am still not able to chew solid foods, due to my teeth not fitting together in the back. Outwardly, I look almost 100% normal. My next appointment is on Thursday with Dr. Weston. I hope to learn more at that time.
