I can honestly say at this point that I feel mostly recovered from the jaw surgery. As with everything, time helps. My trouble with eating and talking is now the result of the expander and the ensuing gap, NOT the surgery. So if you're considering having this surgery done, I would say "Go for it"!
I had two follow-up appointments today. At Dr. Alexander's office (OS), I was again told that things seem to be going well, though the sutures still need another week or two until they're clipped. I realized yesterday that my upper gums were completely numb (they felt like rubber), but supposedly the feeling will return in time. It's probably not a bad idea to not have a whole lot of sensation at this point. The highlight of the visit, though, was looking at my CT scan -- all I can say is that technology is amazing! The scan was 3D and the OS could click a button and the skin gave way to muscle which then turned into the underlying bone. It was very cool to see the "cuts" in the bone that had been made. He could spin my head around and upside down to get visuals through the sinuses, etc. Bottom line is that I have a very weird nasal septum which explains why my nose is crooked on my face. If you read an earlier post where I was wondering what was wrong with my nasal tip (i.e., was it too pointy), alas it's just crooked. I will try to get a copy of the CT and scan it into this blog.
I went to the Orthodontist today to be "fitted" for a prosthetic tooth, but my gap isn't large enough. On measuring this morning, I've cranked 6mm, but the gap is only 3.5mm. Dr. White shaved down the left side of the expander so that my teeth would match on the other side. Due to teeth movement, my right side was suspended in air which was a little weird. I'm hopeful that this will help with eating. Dr. White intimated that the expander will probably be in for 6-7 months. Even though the palate bone will be strong enough to move teeth about 2 months after the expansion stops, he likes to keep the expander in so that he can move around the lower teeth to better positions without having the top teeth get in the way (and also to avoid a really awkward bite if teeth are in strange positions). He thinks that I may be ready for the 2nd jaw surgery in about May-June of 2009 (wow!)... Right now the prosthetic tooth will be installed on 8/18 (pictures to follow)...
I had two follow-up appointments today. At Dr. Alexander's office (OS), I was again told that things seem to be going well, though the sutures still need another week or two until they're clipped. I realized yesterday that my upper gums were completely numb (they felt like rubber), but supposedly the feeling will return in time. It's probably not a bad idea to not have a whole lot of sensation at this point. The highlight of the visit, though, was looking at my CT scan -- all I can say is that technology is amazing! The scan was 3D and the OS could click a button and the skin gave way to muscle which then turned into the underlying bone. It was very cool to see the "cuts" in the bone that had been made. He could spin my head around and upside down to get visuals through the sinuses, etc. Bottom line is that I have a very weird nasal septum which explains why my nose is crooked on my face. If you read an earlier post where I was wondering what was wrong with my nasal tip (i.e., was it too pointy), alas it's just crooked. I will try to get a copy of the CT and scan it into this blog.
I went to the Orthodontist today to be "fitted" for a prosthetic tooth, but my gap isn't large enough. On measuring this morning, I've cranked 6mm, but the gap is only 3.5mm. Dr. White shaved down the left side of the expander so that my teeth would match on the other side. Due to teeth movement, my right side was suspended in air which was a little weird. I'm hopeful that this will help with eating. Dr. White intimated that the expander will probably be in for 6-7 months. Even though the palate bone will be strong enough to move teeth about 2 months after the expansion stops, he likes to keep the expander in so that he can move around the lower teeth to better positions without having the top teeth get in the way (and also to avoid a really awkward bite if teeth are in strange positions). He thinks that I may be ready for the 2nd jaw surgery in about May-June of 2009 (wow!)... Right now the prosthetic tooth will be installed on 8/18 (pictures to follow)...
3 comments:
Surgery went great.
Just got it done.
Surgery went great.
Just had it done.
Hahahah your right! So far I can think of Spongebob, Goofy and Alvin and the chipmunks
I may be in pain but looking at my before pictures makes me happy i did this.
Im not sure to be honest but I'm going to start turning the key on the 7th, which is super nervous about!
It sounds like your coming alot great!
Is eating easier for you?
It hurts alot when i swallow, feels like my front tooth is getting pulled back.
Hows your gap?
Take care~
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