Appointment-between-appointments

I had another one of my "appointment-between-appointments"... which I swear by. One of my lower central incisors likes to rotate and my OD has spent most of the time I've been in braces un-rotating it. Everything was looking good when I went in last week, so he didn't have to re-tie or power chain that tooth, it was left to sit with it's fellow teeth with just bracket and ligature. Well, a few days ago I noticed it starting to rotate again. I called the office and Dr. Hang told me to stop by. It was a great appointment yesterday (may 24th... this post is a little delayed). He was able to check in on other "projects" in my mouth and adjust them bc things weren't moving like he'd hoped. I really believe this appointment saved me a month of delays.

Or maybe I'm just thrilled I was able to go in bc last week one of the assistants convinced me to switch things up to gold ligs and they were horrifying!!! I'm back to baby blue... thank goodness.

I haven't seen a picture of my naked teeth in soooo long! 

This is 9 months in braces.

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

There are two phrases we all look forward to hearing as bracefaced jaw surgery patients:

"I think you can go ahead and book surgery." 

and 

"I think we can go ahead and take these horrible things off."

Well, my friends, I've heard the first of these beautiful statements. I have been given the green light to call the surgeon's office and book for mid to late September. (it will be about 13 months after I got my braces on.)

I have to give credit to my OD's assistant Liz. At my adjustment yesterday Dr. Hang kept saying things like, "oh, you'll be ready soon" and "yep, looking good" and "just a few more appointments to go". Liz interjected "So, can she actually call and schedule her appointment?" Dr. Hang: "Yes!" Me: (quietly weeping tears of joy)

So, I called my surgeon's office first thing this morning. They asked me to resend my insurance info so that they can resubmit it for approval. Once we get an approval letter, I can book it. (I actually called their office a couple months ago to ask how backed up they were with scheduling surgeries and was relieved to find out usually only a month or two.)

Hip hip hooray!!!

In the meantime my bite is getting more and more open.

Here are just a few pics to show how weird it is.

I have a bit of a cant too. This is biting down.

I'm actually biting down here too.  (From a recent trip to Yosemite)

Another pic from Yosemite. Absolutely AMAZING! Nothing to do with my bite, but had to share. 

Join the Revolution

Some of us have open bites, some under, some over... But, one thing we all have in common is learning to bite into food our own freakish way. For instance, I employ the "side-bite" leading with my right canine...  Which brings me to today's post.

My bracket has popped off my right canine twice from overuse. However, I've discovered this to be a blessing, not a curse because it has twice gotten me into my ortho's office two weeks before my scheduled time. Each of these appointment-between-appointments have offered a full inspection by my OD, with tweaking of all his different "projects" in my mouth: space between #18 and #20, crowding of lower centrals, etc. Which leads me to believe we all should be seen by our OD's much more often than scheduled! So, let's go fellow bloggers... let's start a riot.

Every revolution needs a t-shirt, right?

Traveling for Surgery

Los Angeles, CA to Keene, NH: 2,962 mi

I recently received a post comment from fellow blogger Laura noticing my surgeon is in New Hampshire and I'm in California asking about travel and follow up appointments. Yes indeedie, I am one of those unfortunate people who is traveling for surgery. My OD only sends patients to two surgeons: one in Dallas and one in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, the doc in Dallas (Dr. Wolford) isn't an 'in network' provider, so, I will be packing my bags and flying 3000 miles away to Keene, New Hampshire. I'll arrive a day or two before surgery for my pre-surgery appointment, will stay at least two weeks after and will probably need to fly back for a 6 month check up (barring any unforeseen issues, like having screws or plates removed).  It's not ideal, but it will work. My OD will do all follow up appointments after I arrive back home - including removing my splint. I've mapped out where I'm going to stay, I have the mileage it will take to get there coach and back first class (I'll deserve the upgrade) and have even started making a list of vegan friendly stores for juice, smoothies and soup. I've had a handful of family members and friends (and the man) offer to go with me... so we'll see who really likes me this summer. I'm hoping for August. I'll learn more at my next appointment in two weeks. Hopefully, I'll get my steel wires. 

In case you are interested, here are a couple of great blogs of people who have traveled for surgery:

http://mycrookedjaw.blogspot.com - from Texas, traveled to Baltimore, MD, she recently made an unplanned trip back to have metal removed.

http://www.thejawstory.org - we have the same OD, she went to Dallas to see Wolford. Braces are off. 

The Rally Beard

Let me start off by saying, no, I don't have a beard... but my boyfriend does! And yes, we are officially boyfriend and girlfriend... sigh. When I met him he was clean shaven. It was in the second week that he showed up with some stubble and was a little embarrassed about it. I showed such enthusiasm about said stubble that he kept it growing with my encouragement. That was 4 months ago. With my continued support and his continued trimming, he still has the beard.

It recently occurred to me that I didn't remember what he looked like without it. So, we (I) thought of the fantastic idea that he should keep his beard until I got my braces off... then we both won't recognize each other! So, here's to the rally beard! (if you are reading this babe, no pressure, feel free to shave any time!)

my mountain man

Braceface and Beardface

6 Months in Braces

I had an appointment with my OD last week. It was once again one of those appointments where he says, 'hmm, let's keep these wires, I need a little bit more movement here before we change to steel." But, that's the lesson we all learn right? Patience? Also, passing the 6 month mark in braces made me realize that this whole process will be over before I know it, time has really flown. My next appt is in three weeks. He is trying to straighten out my lower central crowded mess, then we can go to steel.

Here are some comparisons between month 4 and now. The biggest difference I can see is my bottom arch is definitely expanding.  My missing tooth space is almost double the size it was.

Mirror, mirror

I mentioned in an earlier post that I started a new job around the new year. My office is on the 17th floor... it's a good long ride...the elevator doors are HIGHLY reflective.

I realized today that every single time I get into the elevator and the doors shut, I step right up to them and examine my teeth. It also occurred to me that there are definitely cameras in the elevators. I just wonder what the security people must think?! "There goes that lunatic smiling at herself... again."

The photos below were hastily taken with the knowledge that there was someone at the video screen monitors, probably muttering "Now she's taking pictures of herself..."