Confessions Of a Metal Mouth
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8 Months Post Op

9/30/2016

7 Comments

 
Yesterday marked 8 months post op.  It really is crazy how quickly the last 8 months have flown by compared to the 8 months that went by leading up to surgery.  I feel like that took FOREVER.  So, where are we at 8 months post op?  We're getting to a point where there are no earth shattering major changes.  I feel like around that 6-7 months post op I dropped another bit of swelling around my nose.  I've got some puff left, but it's really not much and in all honesty, it's getting to a point where I have to wonder what is puff and what is just additional weight from the extra 10-15lbs I am still hanging on to that need to be lost.  For the most part I feel pretty good.  Still sore/stiff some days, especially days where I start early for work and/or do a lot of talking that day.  My opening is pretty much back to normal and has been for a good while now, but still have some stiffness/hesitation cranking open sometimes.  Both discs have been happy and I only get a little subtle crunching every now and then.  I'm eating pretty normally for all intents and purposes.  Still taking it easy on the loose front teeth.  My surgeon peeked at my latest pano last week and he said we're not completely filled in yet on the bone healing, so we're still chugging along there.  And those upper plates/screws that bug me to the touch he is still agreeing to take out after the year post op mark.  Like everything else in this process, all of this just takes time.

Speaking of my surgeon, I am heading in on Mon to get my first implant.  Should be straight forward shot on my already missing back molar.  Luckily I've got some soups frozen still from jaw surgery, so I'll just use some of those for a day or two and be good to go.  I need to stop at my orthodontists office on the way home and have him shave down the fake tooth they have keeping the space for the implant.  I asked my ortho to make me a hawley retainer for my top teeth too.  I've given the essix almost two months now, and it's been 5-6 weeks of clenching and headaches. I don't think it's going to work for me.  It will be great to have as an extra retainer on hand, or to wear in situations where I don't want the wire of the hawley showing across my front teeth, but otherwise I am very much looking forward to having the hawley and allowing these teeth to breathe and let the chewing surfaces of the top and bottom teeth be able to rest together naturally.  After that I'll probably check in with my surgeon to check on the implant site, and then I have my two month retainer check with my ortho the third week of Oct.  I am not sure when my next jaw follow up with be... or if there will even be a formal next appointment of any kind for it.  If not, then I'll be seeing Dr. Karas beginning of Feb 2017 to address taking my upper hardware out.  Can't wait to get those screws out of my under eye!!
7 Comments
Traci
10/5/2016 07:14:00 pm

Hi! I hope your implant surgery went well and you are recovering quickly! Just wanted to send a note saying I'm thinking of you! --Traci

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Ashley
10/6/2016 06:06:32 am

Hi, Traci! Implant was done on Mon and went well. I was actually more sore than I thought I would be from it! Thankful for the meds my surgeon gave me and thankful that I had a few days off after. How is healing going for you? Got more opening back yet?

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Traci
10/6/2016 06:41:35 pm

Hi Ashley--
I'm glad you're on the other side from the implant and that you had good meds! Those help! Sounds like you were pretty tough going out that evening and eating normally!

I got my braces off today! I have a hawley retainer (zebra striped) and it's fun to see my teeth again. 4 times in braces during my life is TOO much! 8 jaw surgeries is TOO much! But...hopefully this time my joints behave and don't relapse again. I'm doing pretty well but still sore...joints and plate areas. My opening is still very minimal at about a thumb width without stretching...if I really push, I can fit two fingers in. However, stretching and chewing lead to a rough next several days for me so, I'm continuing my regimen of barely chewing and not stretching...I think this is what my life will consist of and I'm only 38. :( Maybe now that the braces are off, I'll miraculously be all healed. It's tough being a music teacher who has a bum jaw but I love my job!

I feel like my overbite is more this time than with my first surgery/brace removal but maybe it's just the variation in surgeries. My ortho is pleased though and just hopes my joints can hold.

All in all things are going fine...I'm glad you've taken a few days off...continue healing!

Ashley
10/7/2016 06:31:25 am

Braces are off?? Congrats! That was pretty quick!! Anything else you have to do past this or is it just wait and see and hope all heals well and be done after?

Reply
Traci
10/7/2016 09:20:07 pm

Yes, it was a short time in braces this round...4.5 months...but my teeth were in the correct position to begin with so there was no need to move things much other than what was needed to fine-tune my bite. It's really a wait and see now. There's always a chance my joints will relapse again and I'll end up where I've been twice but for now I'm ok. I don't think my face can handle any more metal! Ha ha!

Ashley
10/11/2016 10:05:20 am

Well, lets hope the relapse doesn't happen. I think that is something we're all scared about, but I can see why you would be even more scared at this point. I think if anything were to happen with me I just need to figure out how to live life with it. I don't think my teeth will be able to take another round of braces. I'll end up in full dentures!

Traci
10/11/2016 05:15:34 pm

I understand the teeth thing! My teeth/gums were already in less than ideal shape after my first set of braces/jaw surgery but now I'm concerned even more about my front teeth especially. When they first attempted to put my implants (upper lateral incisors) they said I had 40% bone loss in my front two teeth...another set of braces and several surgeries later and I'm wondering what it's like now.

All I can do is hope my bite/joints don't relapse again...I do know I have a space that's already formed between a few teeth on my bottom in the whole 5 days I've been out of braces. He said he'll be making me some invisalign retainers to wear to put those teeth back in/together. Ugh...My bite is also not as "good" as it was 2 years ago post first surgery/braces. They told me I'll never have a perfectly closed bite since open bites are SO hard to correct even surgically. But...small victories and be thankful for what I've got now. I wish I could attach pictures for you to see what my bite has gone through!

I hope you're feeling better from the implant!

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