When I went in today, Nicky the nurse commented "Ooo she can open now", when I answered how I was and she saw my teeth opening a bit as I spoke, hehe.
Mr S had a look at my teeth and how much I can open my mouth.
He then got some elastics and fitted them on the hooks (some on brackets, some on hooks attached for surgery).
These I find out are attached to bring my teeth together in a better bite as when my teeth are shut my teeth are not sitting right.
I was hoping the hooks attached for my surgery would be coming out as they were beginning to hurt my gums as my mouth was now free.
He then got a mirror and showed me how he had attached the elastics.
He put one elastic on each side of my mouth in a square shape, going over 4 hooks. Then doubled these up by placing another one on top.
He said I need to make sure I use the same hooks and change the elastics each time I eat, drink etc as they are latex and don't stay strong very long for the pressure needed.
He gave me 3 packs and drew a diagram on one of the packs. He said I may find it easier with tweezers first but should be able to use my fingers once I get used to it.
He said he can see my gum is loose on both sides of my mouth and it should tighten as my mouth loosens up and I can stretch the gum again.
I see him again in 2 weeks.
He asked about my vein and I told him Mr O said it's nothing to worry about.
When I got home, I had a look in my mirror and wrote down the exact location of each elastic on which hook etc. This helped me to find the right hooks easily.
My first elastic change after lunch took me 20 mins!
NB: Yeserday I went to see the doctor for a new sick note and found out my blood test results are fine.
I've recently had my braces removed (May 2009) and now have an Essix retainer for my bottom jaw (to wear at night) and an Hawley retainer for my top jaw with false tooth attached (to wear during the day).
Starting in Aug/Sept 2004 I had Damon type 2 brackets, then In-ovation brackets (replaced March and May 2006) and seven In-ovation brackets without clips (with elastic ligatures).
Total time in braces = 4 years and 8 months!
NB: All treatment is through the NHS apart from implant work done by Mr Ziff which is private.
Starting in Aug/Sept 2004 I had Damon type 2 brackets, then In-ovation brackets (replaced March and May 2006) and seven In-ovation brackets without clips (with elastic ligatures).
Total time in braces = 4 years and 8 months!
NB: All treatment is through the NHS apart from implant work done by Mr Ziff which is private.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Wires cut! (maxillofacial)
I was nervous going today as I had weird dreams about having my wires cut and not being able to shut my mouth as my jaw hung open, eek..
Mr O cut my wires today. There were 2 people observing, he showed them my teeth before in the fixed position then got wire cutters and had difficulty cutting the wires open then pulling them out.
It was a bit scary as he was going in with the cutters and I was opening my lips as wide as I could.
After the wires were cut and removed, he asked me to open and close. I could open and close my mouth a small amount. He said the stiffness will go away eventually.
He told me to clean my teeth before seeing Mr S as I have a build up of some gunk on my teeth.
I asked about my vein, telling him that Mr S said I should ask about it as the vein looks like it has a clot and he said it's nothing to worry about.
He said he'll see me again in 6 weeks.
As I came home I was thinking I need to remember my teeth are no longer wired up as I could feel I was still talking with my teeth shut.
I cleaned my teeth the best I could when I got home with a small brush I had. I couldn't clean my teeth very well though as my mouth is quite stiff so I couldn't clean the inside of my teeth. Oh well it all takes time!
Mr O cut my wires today. There were 2 people observing, he showed them my teeth before in the fixed position then got wire cutters and had difficulty cutting the wires open then pulling them out.
It was a bit scary as he was going in with the cutters and I was opening my lips as wide as I could.
After the wires were cut and removed, he asked me to open and close. I could open and close my mouth a small amount. He said the stiffness will go away eventually.
He told me to clean my teeth before seeing Mr S as I have a build up of some gunk on my teeth.
I asked about my vein, telling him that Mr S said I should ask about it as the vein looks like it has a clot and he said it's nothing to worry about.
He said he'll see me again in 6 weeks.
As I came home I was thinking I need to remember my teeth are no longer wired up as I could feel I was still talking with my teeth shut.
I cleaned my teeth the best I could when I got home with a small brush I had. I couldn't clean my teeth very well though as my mouth is quite stiff so I couldn't clean the inside of my teeth. Oh well it all takes time!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Thoughtful Mr S
I went to this orthodontics appointment armed with questions.
Today there was an observer who Mr S was showing and explaining things to.
As Mr S had a look inside my mouth, he was showing the observer how my teeth are all wired together and explained that I had my lower jaw moved back and my upper jaw moved forward and down. He was showing my scar and as he was pressing it, it was causing me pain and he told the observer, that the area is still delicate.
Mr S said all is well and asked if I was hurting anywhere. I told him my left side was hurting on the inside at the back, he has a look and said he can see my gum is starting to gather up as it cannot be stretched and is sitting on my teeth. He said once I can stretch my mouth it will be fine.
I showed him my raised vein and he noted that it looks like a clot as the rest of the vein is no longer in use and my hand is getting blood through a different vein instead. I'd never noticed the vein wasn't being used before, weird!
He said to ask Mr O about it next week and to let him know what they say so he can chase it up for me. Aww how sweet of him! :o)
Mr S asked when my wires are cut. I said next weeks, so they are giving me an appointment on the Thurs to fit elastics in as they are fully booked for next Wed.
Today there was an observer who Mr S was showing and explaining things to.
As Mr S had a look inside my mouth, he was showing the observer how my teeth are all wired together and explained that I had my lower jaw moved back and my upper jaw moved forward and down. He was showing my scar and as he was pressing it, it was causing me pain and he told the observer, that the area is still delicate.
Mr S said all is well and asked if I was hurting anywhere. I told him my left side was hurting on the inside at the back, he has a look and said he can see my gum is starting to gather up as it cannot be stretched and is sitting on my teeth. He said once I can stretch my mouth it will be fine.
I showed him my raised vein and he noted that it looks like a clot as the rest of the vein is no longer in use and my hand is getting blood through a different vein instead. I'd never noticed the vein wasn't being used before, weird!
He said to ask Mr O about it next week and to let him know what they say so he can chase it up for me. Aww how sweet of him! :o)
Mr S asked when my wires are cut. I said next weeks, so they are giving me an appointment on the Thurs to fit elastics in as they are fully booked for next Wed.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Healing well.. (maxillofacial)
At the Maxillofacial department today I got a quick check up to see how I am doing.
Mr O wasn't there today, I got introduced to a new guy today on the team. He had a look inside my mouth and said everything's fine and the stitches in my mouth are healing well.
They also asked to have a look at my hip, he said I don't need the dressings on and that it is healing up fine.
My Dad also told them that I fell down the stairs last week when I fainted after having a shower and they didn't seem worried.
I think my Dad wants someone to show concern as when I went to the doctor last week as an emergency, he said I was fine and just asked me to get some blood tests booked so they could check my cholesterol, blood sugar and whether i'm anaemic etc.
Wires will be cut in 2 weeks!
Mr O wasn't there today, I got introduced to a new guy today on the team. He had a look inside my mouth and said everything's fine and the stitches in my mouth are healing well.
They also asked to have a look at my hip, he said I don't need the dressings on and that it is healing up fine.
My Dad also told them that I fell down the stairs last week when I fainted after having a shower and they didn't seem worried.
I think my Dad wants someone to show concern as when I went to the doctor last week as an emergency, he said I was fine and just asked me to get some blood tests booked so they could check my cholesterol, blood sugar and whether i'm anaemic etc.
Wires will be cut in 2 weeks!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Bruising has gone!
My bruises on my arms have now more or less gone. The only bit which is still painful is the raised vein which hasn't settled down yet.
Today I went to see the nurse as I took the lil dressings off my hip and it looks like I have an infection as one bit looks yellowish.
The nurse said it is fine, I just need to cover it up with dressings to stop it from rubbing against my clothes.
Today I went to see the nurse as I took the lil dressings off my hip and it looks like I have an infection as one bit looks yellowish.
The nurse said it is fine, I just need to cover it up with dressings to stop it from rubbing against my clothes.
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