This was the first time I went my bus to my appointment, it took nearly an hour!
My boyfriend wasn't able to take me but met me there.
Luckily he told them I was running late.
The first thing Mr S asked was if I had any problems, e.g. broken brackets etc.
He said the last thing you need at this point is anything delaying my surgery.
He set about having a look at my teeth, but had problems with the chair and tool controls, so he said to Nicky his nurse to grap a torch as he wanted to get me sorted and could cancel any other appointments.
Mr S eventually got the controls working, then changed my elastic ligatures.
(He missed a few though :o(
I still have some emerald green looking ones, oh well...)
Just when I thought I was done, he said hold on, got some lip separators out and tried to find the correct size.
After three pairs he found some small enough for my mouth, got me to hold them in position and he took photos of my teeth.
Appointment over, I'll see them in July for my hour long appointment for measurements etc. Joy!
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.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Operation date is set!
I got my operation date through the post today.
I was a bit annoyed to receive it just 2 days before my 25th birthday, but oh well... it made me all nervous.
The admission date for my operation is Sunday July 13th at 2pm at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
The operation is scheduled on the following day.
It says on the letter:
PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS LETTER IMMEDIATELY AS FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF YOUR OPERATION.
That made me even more nervous!
It also has a date for my pre-operative assessment (June 26th 10am)
I also need to ring up on the day of my admission to confirm a bed is available!
Shouldn't they keep one for me as they know I'll be coming in? Hmm...
So I confirmed both my operation and pre-operative assessment and got that sorted.
Now i've just got to wait.
I also received my orthodontist appointment for the measurements etc needed before my operation. That's on July 3rd.
I was a bit annoyed to receive it just 2 days before my 25th birthday, but oh well... it made me all nervous.
The admission date for my operation is Sunday July 13th at 2pm at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
The operation is scheduled on the following day.
It says on the letter:
PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS LETTER IMMEDIATELY AS FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF YOUR OPERATION.
That made me even more nervous!
It also has a date for my pre-operative assessment (June 26th 10am)
I also need to ring up on the day of my admission to confirm a bed is available!
Shouldn't they keep one for me as they know I'll be coming in? Hmm...
So I confirmed both my operation and pre-operative assessment and got that sorted.
Now i've just got to wait.
I also received my orthodontist appointment for the measurements etc needed before my operation. That's on July 3rd.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Joint Clinic
I was accompanied by my Dad and my boyfriend to this appointment.
There was the surgeon Mr O, My orthodontist Mr S and his nurse Nicky and someone else with the surgeon present.
I sat on the dental chair in the middle and felt like I was on show!
Well there was 6 other people excluding myself in the room.
Anyway I basically got asked questions about why I want the surgery etc and Mr O also told what they will do in the operation.
My top and bottom jaws will both be moved.
My bottom jaw will be moved back and my top jaw will be moved down and forwards.
At the moment although my top front teeth are straight, you can't see them when I talk, so moving the jaw down will make the teeth visible.
Mr O said although it doesn't matter too much now as I'm young enough, it will make me look as though I haven't got my top dentures in when I'm older!
I think he meant figuratively about the dentures as if I'm having this much work done hopefully my teeth will last!
As the top jaw is being moved down, I will also be having a hip graft where they'll take bone from the inside of the hip bone.
It's taken from the inside so when the bone grows back lumpy it won't show externally, I'll just have a scar.
The bone taken from my hip will be used to fill the gap left when lowering the top jaw.
I'll get surgery my date through the post and they think it should be around mid July.
Nicky then told me I'll need an orthodontics appointment around 3 weeks before my operation so they can take measurements etc.
Scary stuff!
There was the surgeon Mr O, My orthodontist Mr S and his nurse Nicky and someone else with the surgeon present.
I sat on the dental chair in the middle and felt like I was on show!
Well there was 6 other people excluding myself in the room.
Anyway I basically got asked questions about why I want the surgery etc and Mr O also told what they will do in the operation.
My top and bottom jaws will both be moved.
My bottom jaw will be moved back and my top jaw will be moved down and forwards.
At the moment although my top front teeth are straight, you can't see them when I talk, so moving the jaw down will make the teeth visible.
Mr O said although it doesn't matter too much now as I'm young enough, it will make me look as though I haven't got my top dentures in when I'm older!
I think he meant figuratively about the dentures as if I'm having this much work done hopefully my teeth will last!
As the top jaw is being moved down, I will also be having a hip graft where they'll take bone from the inside of the hip bone.
It's taken from the inside so when the bone grows back lumpy it won't show externally, I'll just have a scar.
The bone taken from my hip will be used to fill the gap left when lowering the top jaw.
I'll get surgery my date through the post and they think it should be around mid July.
Nicky then told me I'll need an orthodontics appointment around 3 weeks before my operation so they can take measurements etc.
Scary stuff!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Ready to go!
Check up on the impressions.
I sat down on the chair as usual and Mr S looked at the impressions taken at my last appointment, he showed me how they fit together quite nicely apart from small gaps between my top and bottom molars.
He said he can sort that out after the operation.
I was a bit stunned when he said this as it seems I am finally ready for my operation. I must say I am starting to feel nervous and excited now.
Mr S had a look at my teeth, gave them a quick clean to remove some plaque and changed my 7 elastic ligatures which had gone a emerald colour again.
Mr S also took some photos of my face.
Facing him I had a normal shot with my mouth closed. Then one with my lips slightly open and one with me smiling showing teeth (which I never do).
Another with me facing towards the corner so he has my face at an angle on the photo.
And he took one more with my face facing to the right.
He then sent me for an X-ray and said my next appointment will be a joint clinic with the surgeon Mr O and Mr S. Eek!
I went and sat outside to wait for my X-ray and removed my earrings in anticipation.
For the X-ray I had to sit on a chair and a machine was behind my head.
It had ear plugs which go into my ears (presumably to hold my head steady)
I was told to look ahead and hold my teeth together but keep my lips relaxed.
I had my teeth and lips closed and the X-ray lady wasn't sure if my lips were supposed to be open or not, so she left me and went and asked.
Mr S's nurse came back with her and told me to just close my teeth and keep my lips relaxed as closing my lips may change the position of my jaw.
I eventually managed to keep my lips in the relaxed position which for me means they do stay open slightly. It feels weird though as I guess I'm used to closing my lips all the time.
I had the X-ray taken and then waited to make sure it came out okay.
After waiting for about 10 mins I was told I can go.
I'll see the X-ray at my next appointment with the surgeon and Mr S.
I sat down on the chair as usual and Mr S looked at the impressions taken at my last appointment, he showed me how they fit together quite nicely apart from small gaps between my top and bottom molars.
He said he can sort that out after the operation.
I was a bit stunned when he said this as it seems I am finally ready for my operation. I must say I am starting to feel nervous and excited now.
Mr S had a look at my teeth, gave them a quick clean to remove some plaque and changed my 7 elastic ligatures which had gone a emerald colour again.
Mr S also took some photos of my face.
Facing him I had a normal shot with my mouth closed. Then one with my lips slightly open and one with me smiling showing teeth (which I never do).
Another with me facing towards the corner so he has my face at an angle on the photo.
And he took one more with my face facing to the right.
He then sent me for an X-ray and said my next appointment will be a joint clinic with the surgeon Mr O and Mr S. Eek!
I went and sat outside to wait for my X-ray and removed my earrings in anticipation.
For the X-ray I had to sit on a chair and a machine was behind my head.
It had ear plugs which go into my ears (presumably to hold my head steady)
I was told to look ahead and hold my teeth together but keep my lips relaxed.
I had my teeth and lips closed and the X-ray lady wasn't sure if my lips were supposed to be open or not, so she left me and went and asked.
Mr S's nurse came back with her and told me to just close my teeth and keep my lips relaxed as closing my lips may change the position of my jaw.
I eventually managed to keep my lips in the relaxed position which for me means they do stay open slightly. It feels weird though as I guess I'm used to closing my lips all the time.
I had the X-ray taken and then waited to make sure it came out okay.
After waiting for about 10 mins I was told I can go.
I'll see the X-ray at my next appointment with the surgeon and Mr S.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Impressions... same old, same old
Impressions time again!
Mr S and his dental nurse were talking about which size tray to use.
I interrupted saying "last time you used the small trays but had to redo them with the big trays as they were too small".
Mr S thanked me and said "At least someone remembers". Lol.
Well I didn't exactly want to go through 5 trays again, did I?!
Anyway so the top and bottom impressions were done using the big trays in the usual way without removing my wires first. (You know the procedure by now, putty stuff is put in your mouth on a U shaped plastic tray which sits on the teeth. you then bite down hard on it and when it has hardened, it is then eased it off the teeth).
Bottom impression almost got messed up like the last time.
He asked me to adjust the opening of my mouth then remembered as I did it that it messes up the mold so asked me to close again.
My 7 silver elastic ligs were changed again, (they'd become discoloured and gone a weird emerald colour), the powerchain put in at the last appointment was removed and I got to clean the putty bits on my face using a dampened cloth and mirror handed to me by the nurse.
I also asked Mr S to have a look at my top wire as it was sticking into my gum right at the back on the left, painful!
He cut and filed it down for me, much better!
Next app we get to see the new changes if any.
Mr S and his dental nurse were talking about which size tray to use.
I interrupted saying "last time you used the small trays but had to redo them with the big trays as they were too small".
Mr S thanked me and said "At least someone remembers". Lol.
Well I didn't exactly want to go through 5 trays again, did I?!
Anyway so the top and bottom impressions were done using the big trays in the usual way without removing my wires first. (You know the procedure by now, putty stuff is put in your mouth on a U shaped plastic tray which sits on the teeth. you then bite down hard on it and when it has hardened, it is then eased it off the teeth).
Bottom impression almost got messed up like the last time.
He asked me to adjust the opening of my mouth then remembered as I did it that it messes up the mold so asked me to close again.
My 7 silver elastic ligs were changed again, (they'd become discoloured and gone a weird emerald colour), the powerchain put in at the last appointment was removed and I got to clean the putty bits on my face using a dampened cloth and mirror handed to me by the nurse.
I also asked Mr S to have a look at my top wire as it was sticking into my gum right at the back on the left, painful!
He cut and filed it down for me, much better!
Next app we get to see the new changes if any.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Silly gaps!
Mr S told me my gaps are closing up and I'm gradually getting closer to being ready for the operation now.
Wait a minute, haven't I heard this all before? I've been told on separate occasions first by Miss M (and then by Mr S when he took over) my operation should have been in 2006 and 2007, now it's in 2008. Hmm...
Anyway, today I had my wires changed on the top teeth and the usual ligs changed to replace the ones which have turned emerald.
I also had a powerchain put near the back of my mouth to close up some gaps (photo below).
Mr S almost forgot the powerchain, he'd put the chair up and had to put it down again!
He said next time I'll have some more molds/impressions done.
I said "Again?" and he said "Yes, they are needed to look at the new positions"
Meh! It hasn't been that long since I had them last done. Oh well..
Photos taken 31st Dec:
Bite (click image to see close-up)
Open bite (click image to see close-up)
Top (click image to see close-up)
Bottom (click image to see close-up)
Left (click image to see close-up)
Right (click image to see close-up)
Left top back (click image to see close-up)
Right top back (shows discoloured powerchain - click image to see close-up)
Wait a minute, haven't I heard this all before? I've been told on separate occasions first by Miss M (and then by Mr S when he took over) my operation should have been in 2006 and 2007, now it's in 2008. Hmm...
Anyway, today I had my wires changed on the top teeth and the usual ligs changed to replace the ones which have turned emerald.
I also had a powerchain put near the back of my mouth to close up some gaps (photo below).
Mr S almost forgot the powerchain, he'd put the chair up and had to put it down again!
He said next time I'll have some more molds/impressions done.
I said "Again?" and he said "Yes, they are needed to look at the new positions"
Meh! It hasn't been that long since I had them last done. Oh well..
Photos taken 31st Dec:
Bite (click image to see close-up)
Open bite (click image to see close-up)
Top (click image to see close-up)
Bottom (click image to see close-up)
Left (click image to see close-up)
Right (click image to see close-up)
Left top back (click image to see close-up)
Right top back (shows discoloured powerchain - click image to see close-up)
Friday, October 05, 2007
New set-up!
My new mold/ impression from my last appointment was brought out and I was able to see how much my teeth have changed since I first started my brace treatment.
There's a big difference!
Unfortunately I have a few top back teeth out of line that need tweaking before the operation.
Mr S told me the operation is now likely to be in the first half of next year (anytime up to June).
It keeps getting pushed back and back!
This is disappointing as I wanted the operation to be over and done with :o(
In this appointment, Mr S removed my top wire and then removed the back second molar rings on my top teeth and also the first molar ring on the top left.
He then replaced these with new tighter rings and put a new wire on my top teeth.
He also used a thinner wire to band and secure in my false tooth and to help my teeth that are out of line to move quicker into line with the rest of the teeth.
I didn't realise till after I'd left that he had criss-crossed this thinner wire along the top front teeth. It looks quite cool actually!
He also replaced my silver elastic ligatures, (apart from the top one, which is now banded up with the thin wire) and put an extra lig on my bottom central incisor which still has an in-ovation bracket.
(The ligs had turned emerald again).
NB: Photos
Bite with criss cross on top teeth (click image to see close-up)
Top
Bottom
Close up of my false tooth to show how it sits on top of my gum
There's a big difference!
Unfortunately I have a few top back teeth out of line that need tweaking before the operation.
Mr S told me the operation is now likely to be in the first half of next year (anytime up to June).
It keeps getting pushed back and back!
This is disappointing as I wanted the operation to be over and done with :o(
In this appointment, Mr S removed my top wire and then removed the back second molar rings on my top teeth and also the first molar ring on the top left.
He then replaced these with new tighter rings and put a new wire on my top teeth.
He also used a thinner wire to band and secure in my false tooth and to help my teeth that are out of line to move quicker into line with the rest of the teeth.
I didn't realise till after I'd left that he had criss-crossed this thinner wire along the top front teeth. It looks quite cool actually!
He also replaced my silver elastic ligatures, (apart from the top one, which is now banded up with the thin wire) and put an extra lig on my bottom central incisor which still has an in-ovation bracket.
(The ligs had turned emerald again).
NB: Photos
Bite with criss cross on top teeth (click image to see close-up)
Top
Bottom
Close up of my false tooth to show how it sits on top of my gum
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