i was so scared about this, i got dropped off at fiance's so he could keep my mind off things as my parents would keep reminding me if i stayed at home
app was at 1.30pm
dad gave me and fiance a lift there
when i was called up, i sat in the chair, mr ziff was pleased to see my teeth with my braces off.
i gave him my retainer which he put in some antiseptic
first he took a couple of xrays, then took a photo while one of the nurses held my lips opens with lip retractors.
he said he'll also remove the lil flap of gum that joins to my upper lip, this is called a labial frenectomy.
he gave me some green medicine as sedation, then later came back to numb the area with freeze.
i got scared at this point as i hate injections, my eyes were tightly closed as he injected the area. one injection hurt a bit which made me emotional and i cried a bit and started shaking. the nurse came over and held my hand and i calmed down.
once that was over the nurse gave me a tissue to wipe my tears and joked bout mr ziff hurting me saying he's a nasty man, lol.
they left and prepared a room nearby for the implant procedure so i was lying there on the chair getting more worried and numb and thinking the sedation thing wasn't working to calm my nerves.
finally the nurse came in with a hair net and goggles for me and said i'll have to wear them even thought they're not attractive. i see they have a sense of humour :o)
she told me to remove my shoes as no outside shoes are allowed in the surgery area to keep things clean and she told me not to be alarmed, hmm..
i walked in and saw all the staff (4 in all including my ziff)
i was told to sit down and lie back on the chair, a blue reprotective sheet thing was put over me and secured behind my head.
during the procedure i kept my eyes mainly shut.
from what i understood, first mr ziff cut an incision into my gum to expose the jaw bone, then he moved the gum apart and drilled into the bone (this made my head vibrate and ears hurt a little). then he was using a chisel and hammer to make the hole the correct size (this hurt my ears too).
all throughout this a nurse had a suction thing in my mouth.
once he was happy with the hole size the implant pole was inserted and hammered in.
i think he also then put a little sliver of bone somewhere after that.
then he started stitching me up, lastly he performed the labial frenectomy using a scalpel and stitched then that up.
once all complete the removed the blue protective sheet and i went to the other room with a nurse and sat down on the chair. i was still bleeding a little from the labial frenectomy so he put a couple more stitches in.
mr ziff checked my retainer and adjusted the false tooth by shaving some of the top of it off so it didn't interfere with my stitches and sore part of my mouth etc.
once he was happy with that he put it back into my mouth.
the nurse told me to rinse my mouth and gave me a painkiller and two antibiotic capsules to take.
i took these over the lil sink with difficulty as i couldn't feel my top lip so couldn't tell when the water was in my mouth properly, also the capsules kept getting stuck to my retainer!
once i was done i sent sent downstairs with the nurse to reception so they could give me my medication and a mouth wash.
i was told i had to pay £1200 which I didn't have on me so we asked to pay it by cheque..
i was advised to eat soft food for the rest of the day and for the following day and to avoid the area when brushing. i can start using the mouthwash from the folowing day but only 4 weeks at a time as it stains the teeth!
i have to go back in 10 days for a review and to presumably get my stitches removed
NB:- I ended up paying over the phone later in the week.
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.
Showing posts with label mouth stitches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mouth stitches. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
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, July 29, 2008
Checkups galore and hip stitches taken out (maxillofacial)
Busy day today. Had to go for two appointments in different hospitals.
I had my orthodontic appointment in the morning with Mr S.
I went with my boyfriend to this app.
Mr S had a look around my mouth again and was generally pleased.
He said he won't go to cut the stitches near the back of my mouth as it would be a bit uncomfortable for me as my lips would be pulled around.
He asked me about the whole experience so far and said he'd like it if I wrote down all the good and bad things that have happened to me throughout my operation and stay in hospital. He said this will help future patients as the sheet they gave me are all from previous patients suggestions.
He then asked if I preferred having my lower jaw done in this way (ie cut, no plates used and wired shut for 6 weeks) compared to the other method.
I said I prefer this way as I was told the other way has a higher risk of losing feeling to lip, tongue, chin etc even though I wouldn't be wired up.
He said it's interesting as all the patients he has asked have preferred being wired-up.
I told him my hip stitches were coming out this afternoon.
He wants to see me again after his holiday, so they said two weeks, although the appointment I got is actually in three weeks!
So in the afternoon I went to see Mr O with my Dad.
I was nervous about this app because of my stitches being taken out even though I've been told by lots of people not to worry. I'm a worrier!
We got there and waited a while then got called in by the guy on the surgical team (whose name I really need to find out!)
Mr O asked how I was and had a look inside my mouth. He said the top of my mouth has healed up well where it was cut.
He then asked if it was okay for a young student dentist to have a look, I said sure and they showed the student how my teeth are all wired up and explained what they did.
Mr O then went out of the room and the guy from the surgical team and a nurse told me they were going to remove my stitches.
He put some alcohol on the dressing first to remove that without pulling my skin too much. Then cut the bead higher on my hip and pulled the rest out from the lower end. I made a face and the nurse asked if I was okay. I said "Yeah, I just thought it would hurt". It didn't hurt at all!
The guy told me he's not removing the lil dressing strips on my scar and said they'll come off when I have a shower etc.
Mr O then came back into the room and said my swelling was going down well but my upper swelling would take it's time.
My Dad commented on how we have been taking photos every day to see the swelling progress. Mr O said he'd like to see the progress from our photos, hehe.
I asked him about a lighter mark on the corner of my lip, he had a look and said it looks like pigmentation. I said some skin came off from there after the operation. He said it should go away, I also asked about a raised vein caused by the drip and he said that should go too.
Next app is in two weeks.
I had my orthodontic appointment in the morning with Mr S.
I went with my boyfriend to this app.
Mr S had a look around my mouth again and was generally pleased.
He said he won't go to cut the stitches near the back of my mouth as it would be a bit uncomfortable for me as my lips would be pulled around.
He asked me about the whole experience so far and said he'd like it if I wrote down all the good and bad things that have happened to me throughout my operation and stay in hospital. He said this will help future patients as the sheet they gave me are all from previous patients suggestions.
He then asked if I preferred having my lower jaw done in this way (ie cut, no plates used and wired shut for 6 weeks) compared to the other method.
I said I prefer this way as I was told the other way has a higher risk of losing feeling to lip, tongue, chin etc even though I wouldn't be wired up.
He said it's interesting as all the patients he has asked have preferred being wired-up.
I told him my hip stitches were coming out this afternoon.
He wants to see me again after his holiday, so they said two weeks, although the appointment I got is actually in three weeks!
So in the afternoon I went to see Mr O with my Dad.
I was nervous about this app because of my stitches being taken out even though I've been told by lots of people not to worry. I'm a worrier!
We got there and waited a while then got called in by the guy on the surgical team (whose name I really need to find out!)
Mr O asked how I was and had a look inside my mouth. He said the top of my mouth has healed up well where it was cut.
He then asked if it was okay for a young student dentist to have a look, I said sure and they showed the student how my teeth are all wired up and explained what they did.
Mr O then went out of the room and the guy from the surgical team and a nurse told me they were going to remove my stitches.
He put some alcohol on the dressing first to remove that without pulling my skin too much. Then cut the bead higher on my hip and pulled the rest out from the lower end. I made a face and the nurse asked if I was okay. I said "Yeah, I just thought it would hurt". It didn't hurt at all!
The guy told me he's not removing the lil dressing strips on my scar and said they'll come off when I have a shower etc.
Mr O then came back into the room and said my swelling was going down well but my upper swelling would take it's time.
My Dad commented on how we have been taking photos every day to see the swelling progress. Mr O said he'd like to see the progress from our photos, hehe.
I asked him about a lighter mark on the corner of my lip, he had a look and said it looks like pigmentation. I said some skin came off from there after the operation. He said it should go away, I also asked about a raised vein caused by the drip and he said that should go too.
Next app is in two weeks.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Mouth stitches cut (some of them)
I went to see Mr S today. When Nicky came to get me she commented my swelling had already gone down since my last app 4 days ago.
Mr S asked "So do you want me to cut the stitches or just have a look?"
I said "Have a look" lol, I'm not very brave!
So he had a look at my stitches and cut the ones at the top of my mouth. The also removed a cut that were hanging loose.
He then asked how it felt, I couldn't really feel much difference as my top lip is still numb but he told me it should feel better as I can move my mouth a bit more now without it feeling restrained.
He asked how I was getting on generally and said I'm making good progress.
He wants to see me again next week before he goes on holiday.
Mr S asked "So do you want me to cut the stitches or just have a look?"
I said "Have a look" lol, I'm not very brave!
So he had a look at my stitches and cut the ones at the top of my mouth. The also removed a cut that were hanging loose.
He then asked how it felt, I couldn't really feel much difference as my top lip is still numb but he told me it should feel better as I can move my mouth a bit more now without it feeling restrained.
He asked how I was getting on generally and said I'm making good progress.
He wants to see me again next week before he goes on holiday.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Silly bruises
I went to have my appointment with Mr S my orthodontist.
I was the first appointment in the afternoon.
When Nicky the nurse came to get me, she commented that I wasn't as swollen as she thought I would be.
Mr S had a quick look at my teeth checking the wires, then used a mirror to gently have a look at my stitches at the top of my mouth and around the sides.
He said he usually cuts them as can take a while to dissolve and that he'll give me that option.
He was generally pleased and asked to take some photos of me.
He said it's always nice to see patients on the other side and doing the final run.
I have another appointment next week on Tues.
NB: Bruising on my arms is still there and now I also have a raised vein from the main drip I had when I had my operation. The vein hurts when pressed.
Another vein near the wrist is painful too, my boyfriend said it looks like I have bruising around the vein. Normally you can't see my veins, but this is making it show up clearly.
I was the first appointment in the afternoon.
When Nicky the nurse came to get me, she commented that I wasn't as swollen as she thought I would be.
Mr S had a quick look at my teeth checking the wires, then used a mirror to gently have a look at my stitches at the top of my mouth and around the sides.
He said he usually cuts them as can take a while to dissolve and that he'll give me that option.
He was generally pleased and asked to take some photos of me.
He said it's always nice to see patients on the other side and doing the final run.
I have another appointment next week on Tues.
NB: Bruising on my arms is still there and now I also have a raised vein from the main drip I had when I had my operation. The vein hurts when pressed.
Another vein near the wrist is painful too, my boyfriend said it looks like I have bruising around the vein. Normally you can't see my veins, but this is making it show up clearly.
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