Dr. S ended up wanting me to come over to his clinic rather than him coming over to the surgery center. They considered taking off some of the surgical hooks and I got really excited, but then they decided to leave them on as they didn't find them to be irritating anything. I don't think they're doing any damage, but I remember when I got them on they just made it feel like I had more metal in my mouth and my lip was pushed further from my teeth, so if I could get rid of a few of them it might give me some extra room in there. Dr. M. told me Dr. S. is more in charge of my elastics at this point, so even though Dr. M. gave me the really strong elastics today, I asked Dr. S. if there was any chance I could get lighter ones. He gave me 1/4 elastics, which are the step up from the ones Dr M had me in, which were 3/16. I have actually been wearing the 1/4 size ones anyway -they were in a random bag of elastics I found so I started using them - but getting the OK makes me feel a bit better about using them before I was supposed to. I have been wearing the 1/4 ones during the day, and the 3/16 ones at night. Happy to be done with the really tight ones though, they were giving me headaches! I am still looking forward to not having to wear them at all during the day! Tina (and anyone else who can answer this)- what changes did you have in your elastics routine? How long 3-4 weeks post op were you able to leave them out? Are you only wearing them at night now? Any changes in band size? Rhianna- What's your progress with the elastics?
Dr. M. told me to set up an appointment with him 2 weeks from now, which will fall at about 5.5 weeks post op. Hoping the splint comes off then. The idea of having it off even ONE day earlier excites me! I have an appointment set with Dr. S. for July 6, and this will be my first real ortho appointment (although I have already seen him twice) where I will get the surgical hooks removed, wires changed and xrays/photos taken.
Dr. M. told me to set up an appointment with him 2 weeks from now, which will fall at about 5.5 weeks post op. Hoping the splint comes off then. The idea of having it off even ONE day earlier excites me! I have an appointment set with Dr. S. for July 6, and this will be my first real ortho appointment (although I have already seen him twice) where I will get the surgical hooks removed, wires changed and xrays/photos taken.
The top picture is me biting down with my lips relaxed, the second one is me pulling my lips together. See how weird it looks?
Catherine | June 16, 2011 at 1:40 PM
Amazing!! It looks like you have hardly any swelling now. You will probably be able to close your mouth with more ease as time goes on.
Just wondering. Do you know much about relapses? I was told that me being female and being in my twenties means I am at a high risk of one. I'm so worried about that!
carpe diem | June 16, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Dani,
You are looking so great! Im at 7 weeks post op and talking is still a strain. The muscles in the mouth especially the lower lip are still kind of numb so forming words feels so weird. It gradually improves but I still deal with it every day. Hand in there. every week is one step closer to de-bracing day!
ps I live in Utah!!
Rhianna | June 16, 2011 at 11:06 PM
Hey Dani,
I actually wanted to ask you a question about your elastics also! :) Do you wear them to work? and If so, are you able to talk with them in?
I currently wear three, and I find it extremely hard to talk with them in. They are pretty tight and really lock my bite down into it's new position. I wouldn't be able to wear them at work thats for sure, because I cant even open my moth properly with them in.
I also look super weird when I talk. My lips and face are still so stiff :(
Dani | June 17, 2011 at 6:34 AM
Rhianna, I do wear my elastics to work, but I don't think they're too noticeable and I can talk fine with them in. The only reason they bug me is because they make my jaw work harder to open and close, and it makes me sore. My right one is connected from one tooth back from the canine, and then on the second to last molar, so that side is pretty hidden and doesn't keep me from opening my mouth much because it's so far back. The one on my left side is supposed to be from my canine tooth to the tooth directly below it, but when I go to work, I typically move this one back one or two teeth to keep it still guiding my bite but it gives me a bit more range to talk.
Anonymous | June 17, 2011 at 8:15 AM
Hi Dani! I have pretty much had the same rubberband configuration with a couple minor tweaks. I wear two on each side in the back and then at night I add one in the front. They are just to stabilize my bite. I get to take them off to eat, brush, etc. I admit that lately I have been taking them off for long periods of time. Like I will be out somewhere and one will pop...so I'll take them out and then forget to put new ones in for 3 hours.