Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Steel Wire on Bottom
I had my appointment with Dr. Weston yesterday afternoon. We talked for a while about the lingering numbness in my face and what I had been doing about that with Dr. Karils, the neurologist and the ENT doctor. I also told Dr. Weston my reservations about having teeth filed down on the upper level. He insists this will be the right thing to do, though he did say that it would be a ways off and that if I really did not want to do it I could say no. I asked him and Dr. Han a number of questions about the way my teeth are coming together. I pointed out the gap between upper and lower that I have, and questioned gaps in my lower arch due to the tooth extraction. Dr. Han acknowledged that the final result for me will be "not ideal" and that I will in fact have the gap between top and bottom, but he says he stands by the decision to have the bottom tooth pulled. Dr. Weston referred to this gap as an "overjet." I also complained about my teeth still not fitting together in back. Dr. Han says he is aware of that, and it will be fixed later with elastics. When I brought up the numbness with Dr. Han, he said something like, "thanks for letting me know, please keep us updated on your progress."
Usually when Dr. Han and Dr. Weston start talking to each other about teeth and wires and tooth movement, I have no idea what they are saying. They might as well be speaking Russian for all I can tell. They seemed to be most concerned with the area on my lower left in front where gaps had appeared around the canine tooth. Dr. Han wants that to be closed back up. I left with a steel wire on the bottom. The steel wire is stronger than the titanium alloy I had before, and for the past 18 hours I really have been feeling sore on the bottom. They left the wire as is on top. I go back in six weeks.
I had my appointment with Dr. Weston yesterday afternoon. We talked for a while about the lingering numbness in my face and what I had been doing about that with Dr. Karils, the neurologist and the ENT doctor. I also told Dr. Weston my reservations about having teeth filed down on the upper level. He insists this will be the right thing to do, though he did say that it would be a ways off and that if I really did not want to do it I could say no. I asked him and Dr. Han a number of questions about the way my teeth are coming together. I pointed out the gap between upper and lower that I have, and questioned gaps in my lower arch due to the tooth extraction. Dr. Han acknowledged that the final result for me will be "not ideal" and that I will in fact have the gap between top and bottom, but he says he stands by the decision to have the bottom tooth pulled. Dr. Weston referred to this gap as an "overjet." I also complained about my teeth still not fitting together in back. Dr. Han says he is aware of that, and it will be fixed later with elastics. When I brought up the numbness with Dr. Han, he said something like, "thanks for letting me know, please keep us updated on your progress."
Usually when Dr. Han and Dr. Weston start talking to each other about teeth and wires and tooth movement, I have no idea what they are saying. They might as well be speaking Russian for all I can tell. They seemed to be most concerned with the area on my lower left in front where gaps had appeared around the canine tooth. Dr. Han wants that to be closed back up. I left with a steel wire on the bottom. The steel wire is stronger than the titanium alloy I had before, and for the past 18 hours I really have been feeling sore on the bottom. They left the wire as is on top. I go back in six weeks.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Follow Up With the Neurologist
On Monday I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rosenthal, the neurologist I consulted about the facial numbness resulting from the surgery. This was 10 weeks from my last appointment with him. He tested my face and found that the numbness is basically the same as it was when I first saw him, and I discussed with him what the cardiologist and eye doctor had to say (more on that in a moment). Again Dr. Rosenthal was very thorough in his examination of me. He did two tests on my feet, because he wanted to make sure that the "neurapathy" in my face is the result of the surgery and not part of a larger nerve deterioration problem. Having confirmed that he said that it could take as much as two years for me to get the feeling back, or it might never come back. He said that nerves heal very slowly. So I continue to wait.
Marfan Syndrome
During my first appointment with Dr. Rosenthal I showed him a spot on my chest that is somewhat hollowed out, as if I do not have muscle there. He sent me for an MRI and a chest X ray, and at my second appointment with him he measured my arm span and checked my hands for signs of double-jointedness. He said the skeletal characteristics (the chest indentation is known as "pectus excavatum") and the high narrow palate indicated that I could possibly have marfan syndrome, which is a genetically inherited connective tissue disorder. This disorder can be very serious and even life threatening if not detected, because it can affect the heart and the aorta. It also can affect the eyes. So I went back to Dr. Champagne, who referred me first to a cardiologist, Dr. Berdoff, who performed an echocardiogram. The test showed that my heart and aorta are fine. Then I was referred to an eye doctor, Dr. Curreri, who tested my eyes. I have a very slight nearsightedness, and Dr. Curreri gave me a perscription that I won't use. But he told me that I do not have the ocular manifestations of marfan. So I had a horrible scare that turned out to be nothing to worry about. During my follow up appointment, Dr. Rosenthal said he was happy that my heart is fine, but he says he still thinks I have "marfanoid" characteristics. So I guess you can call me a marfanoid with crooked teeth and a numb face. And a bad bite.
On Monday I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rosenthal, the neurologist I consulted about the facial numbness resulting from the surgery. This was 10 weeks from my last appointment with him. He tested my face and found that the numbness is basically the same as it was when I first saw him, and I discussed with him what the cardiologist and eye doctor had to say (more on that in a moment). Again Dr. Rosenthal was very thorough in his examination of me. He did two tests on my feet, because he wanted to make sure that the "neurapathy" in my face is the result of the surgery and not part of a larger nerve deterioration problem. Having confirmed that he said that it could take as much as two years for me to get the feeling back, or it might never come back. He said that nerves heal very slowly. So I continue to wait.
Marfan Syndrome
During my first appointment with Dr. Rosenthal I showed him a spot on my chest that is somewhat hollowed out, as if I do not have muscle there. He sent me for an MRI and a chest X ray, and at my second appointment with him he measured my arm span and checked my hands for signs of double-jointedness. He said the skeletal characteristics (the chest indentation is known as "pectus excavatum") and the high narrow palate indicated that I could possibly have marfan syndrome, which is a genetically inherited connective tissue disorder. This disorder can be very serious and even life threatening if not detected, because it can affect the heart and the aorta. It also can affect the eyes. So I went back to Dr. Champagne, who referred me first to a cardiologist, Dr. Berdoff, who performed an echocardiogram. The test showed that my heart and aorta are fine. Then I was referred to an eye doctor, Dr. Curreri, who tested my eyes. I have a very slight nearsightedness, and Dr. Curreri gave me a perscription that I won't use. But he told me that I do not have the ocular manifestations of marfan. So I had a horrible scare that turned out to be nothing to worry about. During my follow up appointment, Dr. Rosenthal said he was happy that my heart is fine, but he says he still thinks I have "marfanoid" characteristics. So I guess you can call me a marfanoid with crooked teeth and a numb face. And a bad bite.
Friday, March 19, 2004
The Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor
Today I went to see Dr. Patel, the otolaryngologist. I told him what I had been through with the surgery and explained to him the numbness that I am experiencing in my face. He poked aroud in my nostrils, sprayed some fluids up my nose and also sent a camera inside my nose on both sides to investigate my nasal passages. He was very thorough in examining me and listening to everything I had to say about my symptoms. He says he could not tell if my sinuses are infected or not, bt he did tell me that I have a deviated septum. He says I will at some point have to have SURGERY to correct that. That's not something I wanted to hear. He is sending me for a cat scan, after which he will show me the films and discuss further treatment.
Today I went to see Dr. Patel, the otolaryngologist. I told him what I had been through with the surgery and explained to him the numbness that I am experiencing in my face. He poked aroud in my nostrils, sprayed some fluids up my nose and also sent a camera inside my nose on both sides to investigate my nasal passages. He was very thorough in examining me and listening to everything I had to say about my symptoms. He says he could not tell if my sinuses are infected or not, bt he did tell me that I have a deviated septum. He says I will at some point have to have SURGERY to correct that. That's not something I wanted to hear. He is sending me for a cat scan, after which he will show me the films and discuss further treatment.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Saying Goodbye to Dr. Varnai
I had my cleaning today with Dr. Varnai. It was much easier today, with minimal pain and discomfort (as opposed to last time). This is due to the shorter time since my last cleaning (two months) and because she said I am doing a good job brushing and flossing. Also, having the expander out made her job easier. She had four Xrays taken and said she would call me if she saw anything bad. Dr. Varnai is seven and a half months pregnant, and she is graduating in July, so today was my last visit with her. She set me up with the hygienist, Fran, for my next visit in mid-May. As usual the reception area in Perio was a chaotic mess.
More Worries
I am worried about how my orthodontic treatment is going. In my uneducated opinion, it appears that I now have a rather severe overbite, and it also seems that my lower arch is going to come together much smaller than the arch on top. And this is before the gap where I had the lower tooth extracted has closed. I'm also concerned with the way my back teeth are still so completely off kilter. I want my bite back!
Tomorrow, the Specialist
With my facial numbness continuing, I see the ear nose and throat specialist tomorrow about my left sinus. This is at the recommendation of Dr. Karlis, who feels there may be something going on with my sinus putting pressure on my facial nerve. If this does not work for me, I will be at the end of my rope.
I had my cleaning today with Dr. Varnai. It was much easier today, with minimal pain and discomfort (as opposed to last time). This is due to the shorter time since my last cleaning (two months) and because she said I am doing a good job brushing and flossing. Also, having the expander out made her job easier. She had four Xrays taken and said she would call me if she saw anything bad. Dr. Varnai is seven and a half months pregnant, and she is graduating in July, so today was my last visit with her. She set me up with the hygienist, Fran, for my next visit in mid-May. As usual the reception area in Perio was a chaotic mess.
More Worries
I am worried about how my orthodontic treatment is going. In my uneducated opinion, it appears that I now have a rather severe overbite, and it also seems that my lower arch is going to come together much smaller than the arch on top. And this is before the gap where I had the lower tooth extracted has closed. I'm also concerned with the way my back teeth are still so completely off kilter. I want my bite back!
Tomorrow, the Specialist
With my facial numbness continuing, I see the ear nose and throat specialist tomorrow about my left sinus. This is at the recommendation of Dr. Karlis, who feels there may be something going on with my sinus putting pressure on my facial nerve. If this does not work for me, I will be at the end of my rope.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Hope
It's been more than seven months now since the surgery on my upper jaw (the date was July 18, 2003) and my upper lip is still stiff, and I still have numbness on the left side of my upper lip, my nose around my left nostril, and my upper gums. Also, when I push gently on my cheek on the left side, I can feel pressure there as if there is still swelling or inflammation underneath. And cold air and cold liquids give me the sensation that my nose is dripping on the left side when it is not. Honestly, I have not noticed any improvement in any of these symptoms over the past several months. At the advice of my primary care physician, I visited a neurologist (Dr. Neil Rosenthal) about all of this, and he basically said there is nothing he can do for me.
Last weekend I emailed Dr. Karlis about this, and she had me come in today for an evaluation. She and several of her associates saw me, including another doctor there who specializes in nerves (I forgot his name). They looked me over and examined my face and insidde of my mouth. They took a panoramic X-ray, and they did feeling tests on my face in gums using Qtips and pointy sticks. (I closed my eyes and they touched me with the sticks to see if I could feel them, and which direction they were moving, etc.) It was determined that I can feel pressure and movement on my outer lip and cheeck, but the inside gums there is definitely loss of sensation there. The other doctor says that there is a small nerve in the inside gum area that was probably cut, but the big nerve, the one to the left of my nose in my cheeck, should be OK.
Dr. Karlis wants me to go see an ear, nose and throat doctor with a speciality in sinus infections and treatment. She thinks there might be some sort of lingering sinus infection or blockage that is preventing my left sinus from draining properly, causing inflammation and pressure on the nerve. This makes sense to me, as when I push gently on the area I do feel pressure there. I also have a feeling of congestion on the left. So today I made an appointment with the ENT doctor. So I feel there is hope after all that I will eventually be able to get normal feeling in my face back.
After talking with Dr. Karlis today I am going to lay off the ibuprofen, as it does not seem to be doing any good, but i am going to continue with the extra vitamin B6.
It's been more than seven months now since the surgery on my upper jaw (the date was July 18, 2003) and my upper lip is still stiff, and I still have numbness on the left side of my upper lip, my nose around my left nostril, and my upper gums. Also, when I push gently on my cheek on the left side, I can feel pressure there as if there is still swelling or inflammation underneath. And cold air and cold liquids give me the sensation that my nose is dripping on the left side when it is not. Honestly, I have not noticed any improvement in any of these symptoms over the past several months. At the advice of my primary care physician, I visited a neurologist (Dr. Neil Rosenthal) about all of this, and he basically said there is nothing he can do for me.
Last weekend I emailed Dr. Karlis about this, and she had me come in today for an evaluation. She and several of her associates saw me, including another doctor there who specializes in nerves (I forgot his name). They looked me over and examined my face and insidde of my mouth. They took a panoramic X-ray, and they did feeling tests on my face in gums using Qtips and pointy sticks. (I closed my eyes and they touched me with the sticks to see if I could feel them, and which direction they were moving, etc.) It was determined that I can feel pressure and movement on my outer lip and cheeck, but the inside gums there is definitely loss of sensation there. The other doctor says that there is a small nerve in the inside gum area that was probably cut, but the big nerve, the one to the left of my nose in my cheeck, should be OK.
Dr. Karlis wants me to go see an ear, nose and throat doctor with a speciality in sinus infections and treatment. She thinks there might be some sort of lingering sinus infection or blockage that is preventing my left sinus from draining properly, causing inflammation and pressure on the nerve. This makes sense to me, as when I push gently on the area I do feel pressure there. I also have a feeling of congestion on the left. So today I made an appointment with the ENT doctor. So I feel there is hope after all that I will eventually be able to get normal feeling in my face back.
After talking with Dr. Karlis today I am going to lay off the ibuprofen, as it does not seem to be doing any good, but i am going to continue with the extra vitamin B6.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
The Expander Is Finally Taken Out
Yesterday morning I had my appointment with Dr. Weston. After he conferred with Dr. Han, it was determined that I would finally get the hyrax expander device removed after seven and a half months. Getting it taken out was not pleasant, as the glue on the four banded teeth had to be literally broken. After it came out, Dr. Weston bonded brackets to the premolars and put bands on the back molars. I hate getting the bands, as it is uncomfortable and biting down on that damn plastic wand to size them is awful. There was a lot of discussion between Dr. Han and Dr. Weston as to what wires to use on my teeth. Apparently they are going to hold off for now on the "power chains." They ended up giving me wires that are one step up from what I had. Also yesterday I met Dr. Weinstein, who will be taking over my case when Dr. Weston graduates in July. I go back in four weeks.
Life Without the Expander
I am very, very happy to have the expander out. I can finally speak normally again, for the most part anyway. I'm still a little off in my speaking due to my upper lip being so stiff still. I don't know if this is due to the expander coming out or the stronger wires (or both), but now my upper teeth are very sore. It even hurts to chew on a banana! Hopefully this will get better soon. Also, the inside of the bands are sharp and will take a little getting used to.
A Nifty Souvenir
I kept the device. I know it is gross, but I have a morbid fascination with it. It was all gunky, but I soaked it in mouthwash and will brush it up later.
Still Numb and Stiff
I'm still numb on the left side of my upper lip and left side of my nose. This does not seem to be getting better from week to week and from month to month. I'm also stiff in my upper lip.
Yesterday morning I had my appointment with Dr. Weston. After he conferred with Dr. Han, it was determined that I would finally get the hyrax expander device removed after seven and a half months. Getting it taken out was not pleasant, as the glue on the four banded teeth had to be literally broken. After it came out, Dr. Weston bonded brackets to the premolars and put bands on the back molars. I hate getting the bands, as it is uncomfortable and biting down on that damn plastic wand to size them is awful. There was a lot of discussion between Dr. Han and Dr. Weston as to what wires to use on my teeth. Apparently they are going to hold off for now on the "power chains." They ended up giving me wires that are one step up from what I had. Also yesterday I met Dr. Weinstein, who will be taking over my case when Dr. Weston graduates in July. I go back in four weeks.
Life Without the Expander
I am very, very happy to have the expander out. I can finally speak normally again, for the most part anyway. I'm still a little off in my speaking due to my upper lip being so stiff still. I don't know if this is due to the expander coming out or the stronger wires (or both), but now my upper teeth are very sore. It even hurts to chew on a banana! Hopefully this will get better soon. Also, the inside of the bands are sharp and will take a little getting used to.
A Nifty Souvenir
I kept the device. I know it is gross, but I have a morbid fascination with it. It was all gunky, but I soaked it in mouthwash and will brush it up later.
Still Numb and Stiff
I'm still numb on the left side of my upper lip and left side of my nose. This does not seem to be getting better from week to week and from month to month. I'm also stiff in my upper lip.
