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!
June 4, 2011 at 11:44 am
Hey there Graham. June 2nd (2 days ago) was my surgery. Day 2 on the way and I got to say, just as expected not cool at all. I got to say though not much swollen as I though my right side is more swollen than my left. The numbness is only on my right top lip only. Started the “ensure diet” already. Lol. I’ll keep you updated later on.
June 2, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Jen, it’s going to take a lot longer than 15 days for your feeling to return. Don’t worry about anything until at least 6 months post-op. I know that seems like a long time right now, but time will start flying by as soon as you’re able to go out and live life again. =)
I have a tiny numb patch on my bottom lip/chin, but I don’t even notice it anymore. The feeling in your cheeks will most definitely return. Don’t you worry!
June 2, 2011 at 5:33 pm
hey, it’s me again 🙂 just wondering did you ever happen to get your full feeling back? the left side of my face from my upper lip to my under eye area still has no feeling.. as well as my left nostril. it would just suck to have such a vast area without any sensation >_< i know it's only been 15 days since my surgery… but it seems to be taking forever.
May 31, 2011 at 9:16 am
Thanks Graham 🙂 positive thinking from now on I think ! :))
May 31, 2011 at 9:02 am
Sarah, I wasn’t able to actually chew through soft foods for a couple of weeks after being given the go-ahead. When your surgeon tells you that you’re allowed to start eating, they’re just letting you know that your bone is strong enough to try it. It will still take time, but try your best, because the only way to rebuild strength in your jaw is to exercise it, and chewing is the best exercise.
I was slightly frustrated throughout my recovery, but I managed to stay fairly positive by simply reminding myself that this is just a few short months in the grand scheme of things.
May 31, 2011 at 8:48 am
Hi Graham. I have been told I can chew things like pasta (soft foods) as it will be 5 weeks this Thursday since my double jaw surgery. I dont feel like I can chew yet though. Did you feel the same ? Also the roof of my mouth still feels very strange 🙁 other than that I’m gettin there :))
p.s Did you go through a rough patch of feeling down in the dumps or is that just me ?
May 27, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Hi Jen from Canada! My left molars didn’t touch following surgery either. Elastics help a bit, but it’s more of a time thing. Your teeth naturally grow together until they meet resistance (in the form of your other teeth). My open bite is a lot better now and it no longer affects me in the least. One day, your teeth will touch again, but it may take a few years. However, you’ll learn to deal with the situation very quickly. =)
As for my x-ray photos, I straight up asked for them. It’s amazing what kind of things life gives to you when you simply ask!
May 27, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Hey, I just underwent a Lefort 1 genioplasty 9 days ago to correct my open bite. I believe it’s the most common type of jaw surgery. I feel kind of worried though because the right side of my molars meet up but my left molars don’t seem to be able to touch. My surgeon told me that the elastics will change this. Did you have the same issue? Sorry if you posted it somewhere in your blog, I just skimmed through a few entries. Not that they weren’t interesting and informative… there’s just so many 😛 One more question I’ve always wondered, how did you get your x-ray pictures? Do you just ask for them? Also, I’m from Canada too. 😛
May 17, 2011 at 9:07 am
I’ve heard a few stories of people having bone removed from their hip to rebuild their face during jaw surgery. I lucked out and was given cadaver bone to fill in the gaps. It’s best not to think about it, haha.
May 16, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Read it all in one day. Thanks for letting me in your life haha. Your humor is what was funny. not any of the things that actually happened. The way you described sucking through a straw was for some reason the most funniest thing i’ve heard in life , as i could not stop laughin even through my immense pain haha. Wonderful decision to do this blog.. and I will refer to it daily for food suggestions and others as I am only on day 5 :). A quick add on. I got a piece of my hip bone to fill in my cheeks or something along those lines but anyways. The pain from my hip is FAAAR more painful than anything on my face, and prevents me from walking far or getting out of bed without pain. The hunger is what hurts me the most though !! . I love the smile it looks really great !!
May 6, 2011 at 7:33 am
You can’t post a picture on this site directly, but you can always put it up elsewhere and provide a link. I love seeing people’s new smiles! They’re easy to appreciate. =)
May 5, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Yes it is!!! 😀
I’m onto the retainer now an have to get used to not having to look in the mirror after I eat LOL
Tell me what to do to post a pic and I will! 🙂
Your blog helped me through the toughest part, thanks again!
May 4, 2011 at 5:18 pm
That’s great to hear, snice! Isn’t it awesome how complete strangers recognize how happy you are?
Congrats on making it through this entire ordeal. Where’s a photo of your new smile?!
May 4, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Hey Graham,
I’m back to report I finally got them off WWWOOOHHOOOOOOOO!!!!
It feels so good!!! My teeth are so str8, a bit dingy but nothin some whitening can’t fix! 😀
Chin still tingly and feeling hasn’t come back completely 🙁 BUT it was all still worth it. Took them off on Tuesday an got complimented by a stranger about my beautiful smile the next day 😀
Just had to share with everyone, especially those just beginning the process!!
May 3, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Cool man! Enjoy these last 6 days before surgery!
May 3, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Hey man,
Longtime reader here, the results look great! I can’t wait to get started myself!
http://doublejawfix.blogspot.com/
May 3, 2011 at 8:34 am
I’m on your side, Frank. Ensure should be paying us a dime every time we mention it. Jaw surgery patients are probably their biggest customers, haha.
My tongue never went numb, but other people have told me that their’s lost feeling for a few weeks. It all depends which nerves the surgeon hits during the operation. Most of your feeling will be back within a few months though, so it’s nothing to worry about. The only time I’m reminded of the seemingly permanent numbness in my chin is when I’m talking to someone about it (like now). =)
I’m an exercise junkie too, but you’re going to have to live with losing a lot of weight and muscle mass for the first month or two following surgery. You’ll build it back quickly though, especially once you can start eating solid foods again.
You’ll be fine, Frank! Let me know how the first few days go. You’re the first person I’ve met on here that’s as much of an exercise nut as I am!
May 3, 2011 at 12:15 am
Hey Graham, just wanted to say that what you have done is very helpful to us “jaw surgery soldiers”. And for that I thank you. I am having the same surgery as you did in a few weeks (June 2nd to be exact) to correct this overbite issue. To tell you the truth I am a bit nervous/anxious about this. This is my third attempt to finally get this surgery performed. Insurrance has been tossing me around. I am a healthy guy, been doing weight training and playing sports since high school (almost 5 years now). I’ve never been hospitalized or extremely sick, (except for stitches), and really am not a fan of doctors and their “medicines”. So that might explain the nervousness. Anxious to get this finally done once and for all ! Although I must admit the whole idea of having my jaws shut for a few weeks is creeping me out. I’m a big guy (200lbs) so not eatig FOOD is really giving me nightmares. As D-day approaches I’m trying to still maintain active and possitive as usual, doing more cardio exercises to increase overall blood flow. Stretching my jaw as in opening it as wide as I can and holding it, and also moving it side to side. ( I must admit I am a exercise junkie, but hey it’s better than most things out there) . Really have been doing my research on types of foods to increase the recovery process. I really am going to try to stay away from the pain medication since the doctors themselves recomended it, as it disturbs the recovery progress. (I’ll do my best at this, depending on how bad the pain is. If not I’ll “eat” the pain. Too bad that won’t fill me up…) But yea. That me and my plan. One thing I do know is that we should use Ensure (and whatever else we depend on) as our sponsors Lol. I have one question that came up while I was reading your awsome journal. Obviously chin, lips and nose are totally numb. What about the tongue? Poor fella’ is trapped in there like a zoo animal. I hope it is not. Can’t figure out how the eating… I mean drinking process gets any better by this. This ended up being a lengthy comment and I appologize. Just letting it all out. Again I thank you for what you have done. Frank.
April 22, 2011 at 8:00 am
Thanks, Graham! That was a very quick reply, and I appreciate hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth! (I recall one post where you said someone thought your mouth looked like a horse’s at that point in your recovery, ha ha!)
I will let you know how I do. I just hope I don’t look like a clown or talk like a duck, ha ha! But those days are well behind you — your great results really encourage me, Graham. — Peter.
April 22, 2011 at 7:21 am
Hi Peter!
1. A portal suction unit would definitely be a nice touch, but it’s certainly not necessary. You’ll only be hanging your head over a sink for about the first week. After that, you’ll be able to gurgle water and rinse.
2. I know a few people who bought specialized heatpaks to wrap around their jaw. I just used a typical rectangular one filled with grain. I’d throw it in the microwave every time I was about to sit down or go to sleep and hold it around my chin. The “Jaw Bra” is probably not a bad item to pick up, though. 🙂
3. It’s very important to sleep on your back for the first month or two. You don’t want to put any extra stress on your jaw following surgery. I spent my first two weeks on a couch because I found a bed to be a bit uncomfortable.
4. Eating with the syringes has its troubles, yes. If you’re blending something thick up, it might not pass through the syringe too easily. A condiment container might be a better choice as long as it has a long enough nozzle on it that you can stick it in the back of your mouth. You’ll only be eating like this for two weeks at the most. After that, you can drink from a cup because you’ll have enough feeling back in your lips, and eating becomes a lot easier from that point onward.
You sound far more prepared for this than I was, Peter! All the best and let us know how it goes.