Three years of dental purgatory later…
Since I’ve been repeatedly asked to post a picture of myself sans hardware (read: braces and appliances), I’m updating this fancy little blog one last time.
I had a date with my orthodontist earlier this week where she kindly removed my braces for me. The entire process took no more than 5 minutes and was relatively painless. I was shocked that something that was such an inconvenience could be eradicated in mere moments. My teeth felt extremely slimy at first, but I later realized that I’d simply forgotten what smooth teeth actually felt like.
Following that, she made a couple of molds of my new mouth so their lab could fashion me a sporty new retainer! (Note: I’m not actually excited about having a retainer. I’m just making my best effort at staying positive.) I received the retainer a few hours later and learned how to snap it in and take it out. Then, upon shaking the hands of all of the lovely ladies who have taken care of me in that office for the past 3 years, I walked out the door for the last time.
I’ve created a little storyboard intermission for those of you who would rather forego reading altogether and just look at pictures.
Guess what, folks! I have big news!
I got rid of my braces!
Now I’m subjected to wearing this retainer…
…but it’s going to keep my teeth super straight! (Now that’s an unflattering shot!)
Wearing a retainer is frustrating at first because your speech is slightly lispy and you need to take it out every single time you wish to eat. It only took a day or two before I learned how to speak while wearing it and realized that removing it to eat is hardly an inconvenience, considering I can now smile at the table while I eat. It’s quite a brilliant thought! I’m supposed to wear this retainer every day for a year, then every night for two months, and then 1–2 nights per week for the rest of my life.
I wonder what’s waiting out there for me and my new smile…
Following my orthodontist appointment, I went to donate blood with a friend for the first time in my life. Now, despite having 5 years’ worth of tattoos, I’m actually horribly afraid of needles. I finally manned up and committed to donating only to learn that you can’t be a donor if you’ve had dental work performed in the past 24 hours. I still had the privilege of eating free cookies though, so it was a worthwhile trip.
“Would you like another plate of ribs?”
Later that night, a few friends and I went out for unlimited ribs (despite the fact that my orthodontist explicitly told me not to eat ribs for three days until the glue on the permanent wire on the backs of my bottom teeth was fully set). Folks, eating things like ribs and apples again is quite amazing. I felt like a bit of a glutton afterwards, considering I ate 5 plates’ worth. It was a celebration though, so I’m exempting myself for that one night only.
I’ll be driving to New York in a couple of weeks to experience New Year’s Eve in Times Square. I plan on doing something crazy, so look for me on TV! I’ll be the crazy Canadian running around finding cameras in a mad attempt to flash the entire world… with my new smile!
December 27, 2010 at 10:03 am
Congrats! I am on day 11 and feeling useless and hungry. I made it through prime rib and the holidays drinking straight au jus. I am getting frustrated but I am sure that is expected..thanks for writing your blog. it has helped me a lot. I started drinking from a cup a few days ago..so I guess that is a good thing. Happy Holidays…and the pics look great!
December 23, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Looking good! 🙂 I added your blog to my list of resources out there.
December 18, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hi Mai,
I still have an open bite on the left side of my mouth, but it’s closed up a lot since surgery. It doesn’t hinder me at all, though, because I find that I chew on one side of my mouth anyway.
I saw my surgeon yesterday for a checkup and he said everything looks good. He likes to see patients annually if they’re able just so he can keep up to date on their progress.
Maybe I’ll bump into you in NYC next year! There are only… 20 million people living there, right?
December 18, 2010 at 2:18 pm
hey, lookin greatt graham, loviin ur pearly whites =D
i actually jus had double jaw surgery this past monday and by god ur blog is keepn me positive, THANK YOU!! lol
my questions i recall reading that you developed an open bite on the side of your mouth or somethn like that, whatever happened?
Also; have you seen your surgeon lately?
oh bytheway, i live in new york ciyy unfortunaly i wont be at times square due to the surgery grr but i shall see if you are successful in gettn on tv =D
enjoy your new bite; also make sure u bite an apple hehe
December 16, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Sorry Emily! I shouldn’t be rubbing my dinner blessings in everyone’s face.
Guess what, though! You’ll be able to eat ribs really soon!
Why did you have a second surgery? That sounds… less than ideal.
December 16, 2010 at 2:50 pm
You look incredible! I’ve been stalking your blog for about 2 months now 🙂 I just had my SECOND double jaw surgery on November 8th and it’s great to read honest, funny stories about recovery. But did you have to end with ribs? I’m dying over here.
Hope you have a great time on NYE! New York is a crazy, amazing place.
December 14, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Wow, thanks Esperanza! Those were some kind words!
I can’t recall how far along you are in your recovery, but the fact that you’re able to remove the bands and eat a little bit more is pretty exciting. Once you’re allowed to eat anything you like again, movement returns fairly quickly. Eating is a good workout (at least for your jaw)!
Hope life is treating you well. =)
December 14, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Thought you’d forgotten about us after the big event of the 6th ; ) but am glad to check today to see the photos & update!!!!!! Been thinking about you! You look GREAT!!! So glad to hear life really is wonderful afterwards. You deserved the 5 plates of ribs! My list of “things to eat soon” has been growing and growing! As of a few days ago, I’ve been able to take the bands off and on, so I can eat a few more things. Ribs, though! Wow. Hope you’re enjoying all this! Have fun in NYC over New Year’s! I know you’re “moving on” from this blog, but just wanted to THANK YOU for doing this. Your attitude & humor has been wonderful. And hey, totally GREAT smile!!!!!!! Congratulations! Best wishes!
December 13, 2010 at 10:19 am
Ha! We already KNOW you’re crazy so that issue has already been addressed! Can’t get any worse than that! LMAO
December 13, 2010 at 1:06 am
Haha, I’ve never heard someone call themselves a “butt” before, Aimee. Nice one! 😛
I’ll be in NYC until Wednesday the 5th, so perhaps we can meet up before you commit to letting me visit ya in D.C. You never know what you might be getting yourself into! What if I’m crazy?!
December 12, 2010 at 10:44 pm
And here is the post I’ve been waiting for! Sorry I haven’t posted sooner…I was a butt and just really spaced things out. I’m going to use my post-surgical surgery (Dec 4) as an excuse. If you don’t like it, tough cookies. LOL
Sooooo, you look absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! Love love love the smile! Severely handsome…watch out, ladies…the master is back in bidness! 🙂
Hey Graham…side note..as a birthday present, Brian’s taking me to NYC…we’re leaving ON New Year’s Eve (that morning) and staying till Monday, January 3rd. Aside from streaking in Times Square, what else do you have planned? 🙂
December 12, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Hi there Lily,
My bottom lip is numb enough that I bite it sometimes, but I have enough feeling in it that I can feel it when I’m touching it.
My gums were also in pain for the first while after 3 months because they hadn’t been thoroughly brushed for a long time. As long as you’re brushing them a few times per day, they’ll build back up though. It really all comes down to hygiene.
If the discomfort is really bothering you, there’s no shame in calling your surgeon or orthodontist and asking them about it. I called both of them several times during my recovery. 🙂
December 12, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Hey,
I have had double jaw surgery, and I have been coming to your blog many times to look up whether what I was experiencing was normal or not; you were a great help! I read that you still have numbness and that you will probably feel it for the rest of your life.. I had surgery twice and this was in august and then late september because a screw came undone in my chin. I still have complete numbness in my teeth and i feel as if my gums arent healthy as they should be even though i take good care of them, i wanted to know if you have experienced pain in your gums as if they are infected or something? and also how numb is your chin? the right side of my chin is really numb and there isn’t much improvement.. let me know thank you! 🙂 Lily
December 11, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Hey DC,
My new bite doesn’t feel at all like my original bite. It feels normal now, but it took a while to get used to at first. Moving your tongue around is weird at the start because your teeth are in a different place.
Your jaw will be just as strong as before. After 3-4 months, getting hit in the face should have the same effect as before. 🙂
The only problems I still have are a partially numb bottom lip on one side and a slightly open bite in the very back of my mouth on one side. Both are still small prices to pay for having a working bite though!
Take care!
December 11, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Hey its nice to see that everything went well for u man. i just got done with upper and lower jaw surgery and bone grafting to widen my upper jaw about 10 days ago. i was just wondering does your new bite feel like the original and also is it as strong as ur jaw before surgery, i dont want to live with the thought that i have to keep my face from getting hit. also is there any minor problems in your jaw you have in your everyday life after the surgery.
December 10, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Will do, thanks for the offer!
December 10, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Hi Murat!
It’s definitely inconvenient and frustrating at first, but try to look at it in the grand scheme of things–a few months of annoyance for a lifetime of smiling. =)
Let me know if you have any questions!
December 10, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Hi Graham, Congrats with being “done” through your whole process. I just had my double jaw surgery on Monday and have found your blog to be a helpful guide to check me back into reality. I have lots of swelling and bruising inside my mouth right now. I can’t wait until the day I will be where you are now, able to put all of this behind you and appreciate a function of the human body that so many take for granted!
Murat
December 10, 2010 at 11:21 am
Tasha, you’ll love it! The retainer is a bit frustrating at first, but you’ll get used to it really quickly.
The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that it’s so much easier to eat because you don’t get food stuck in your teeth! Glorious!
December 9, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Graham, you look great. Congratulations! You made it.
I can’t wait to celebrate your birthday by getting my braces off!