A Smile Connects Us You And Me

Last week I found out at my splint appointment that I need to make yet another trip to New York City to see Dr. Mac. He will be creating my "supplement" tooth for my implant, along with tuning up some other teeth that have been worn down with my grinding since I was without a splint since February. I thought Dr.Mac would be able to come up to VT in October, but plans changed. Another unplanned cost, nearly $300 on the airplane ticket. I also got a call from the Red Cross to set up my blood donation. I need to have them take a pint of my blood, freeze it, and send it out to the hospital in CA for me if I need a transplant. Another cost, but I am happy to have it done just in case I need it! They told me it won't be covered under insurance do to the contract the Red Cross has with my hospital in CA. I think I will try to fight it anyway, and save around $400. It feels really good to have all of my appointments from now until my surgery scheduled! I've recently received ...

Yay for my new splint! The muscles in my face are so much more relaxed! It's amazing what having a place for your joint to rest can do for a person :) I would post a picture with the new splint in, but alas I have let my sister borrow my camera for a class. Being that it is a bottom splint it isn't as visibly noticeable compared to the ' ol top splint. Although, I must say it is more difficult to talk. My face is so tired. Less pain, more exhausted feeling. I'll take it! Less pain, my gain! While at my appointment yesterday Dr. Chira was so positive about my next 6 weeks before surgery! We set up all of my splint adjustments and even my final appointment before I fly out to California for surgery! At that appointment I will get my koby wires put on. Those are the wires they attached the super rubber bands to so my mouth won't move after surgery. This was the first time Dr. Chira was really positive that this surgery is happening on time. In the past she has ...

Today has been a really long day pain wise. When the first thing you think when you open your eyes is, "oh god, I need my meds ." You know it isn't going to be a great day. Sleep has always been my saving grace for pain. My prescription pain killer can only do so much, Tylenol (Extra Strength) does nothing anymore. But the last few weeks, if not months, I have not found lasting relief from napping or sleeping. I also no longer find comfort in icing...so, I am glad tomorrow I am getting my new splint! Whoohooo !!! I got my first splint in January of '07 and had to wear it full time to stabilize my jaw. I actually had to get a new one a few months later because my grinding and clenching was so bad it wore down the regular material they are made out of so I had to upgrade to "the Rolls Royce" of splints. This was made out of a much tougher material. I had to stop using my splint in February '09 when I got my top braces on so both my top and bottom teeth co...

To many "weight" and "gain" are dirty words, words that sound like nails on a chalk board. However, right now they are music to my ears! About 6 weeks ago I made a commitment to gain weight for my surgery. I have a high metabolism - to say the least, so I knew having double jaw surgery would cause me to lose more weight than the average person. My method- eat more, more often. This proves difficult when I am already on a restricted diet, not only because of my braces, but because of my terrible TMJs. BUT I did it! I have officially gained 10lbs...My pants don't fit as well & t-shirts are a little bit more snug, but I don't mind. Most people don't even believe I have gained any weight due to my build...Whoohoo for being 5'11"! According to my surgeon's office the average person will lose 5-10lbs. With my metabolism I anticipate loosing double In other blogs and message board posts I've seen most people are excited about the weight th...

So what exactly is the "diagnosis"? What will they do to fix it? There are a lot of big words in the official paperwork. I will do my best to translate, but you may need a search engine handy ... Here goes- Anteroposterior (from front to back)- *Dental Problems- I have a Class I on both the left and the right. It seems this is the most "normal" or "ideal" bite; however mine is very unstable and slips into a Class III which means my top teeth behind the bottom. * Facial Problems- My orbital rim is flat; cheekbones are soft; subpupil is flat; nasal base is concave; upper lip is retruded; lower lip is retruded; and finally my chin is yep, you guessed it...retruded... Vertical * Vertical Skeletal and Dental Problems (I do not understand the following, but it is not the way it needs to be for jaw stability)- Maxillary plane of occlusion- two plane. Also, my posterior maxilla height is short. *Vertical Faci...

In 49 days, I will have jaw surgery. Hello, I'm Mary. I'm 24 and I live in Vermont. I'm starting this blog so I update my friends/family on my condition leading up to surgery & post-op since. Also, I'd like this blog to be a place for me to log my frustrations and triumphs. While preparing for surgery I have found a lot comfort in reading other "ortho-blogs" and message boards. I hope I am able to ease someone else's worry or answer questions that they may have about the surgery from a first-hand perspective. Quick synopsis of my situation: I have been seeing orthodontists since the age of 5...but I didn't start having major problems until "all hell broke loose" in the fall of '07...my senior year in college...I was taking 21 credits, and working 2 part time jobs, along with being involved in clubs, and attempting to have a social life...I like to think the start of all of my problems (which was a broken tooth) was a sign to slow dow...