Six Months: Hello Invisalign

This past month (and the start of the new year) has been eventful to say the least. As I posted Monday I got my braces off, it was glorious.

But since Monday I have had two more tooth related appointments: Picking up my invisalign from Dr. Huang and getting my last face scan from Dr. Olsson!

Invisalign:
Behold my new tooth prison for 20+ hours a day for the next 3 months (and then at night, forever)…

I have had them for roughly 36 hrs and its an interesting new experience thus far.

Pros:
After having so much trauma to this part of my face over the last year it is actually kind of comforting. They do not hurt because they are not made to progressively shift my teeth, but to keep them exactly where they are now. Since I'm mildly scared about getting bumped in the face, hit with a door or slipping on an icy sidewalk it assures me my teeth aren't falling out… or something. Anyway, they are kind of like a hug for each tooth.

The Inaugural Wear

You have to get pretty up close and personal to see them on my teeth. Two things give it away: 1. When my teeth are closed there is a slight gap (shown above), 2. When wearing, I currently have a tiny lisp when saying things that end in S.  I have also already forgotten I was wearing them a couple times (may be due to still having tooth numbness).

Cons:
You need to take them out anytime you want to eat or drink anything (other than water). Because I forgot I was wearing them last night I tried to eat some bread and couldn't figure out why it felt so odd. This means I have to plan my coffee drinking into short bursts instead of my all day routine.

After I eat or drink something and before putting them back in I need to brush my teeth. So where ever I go I need to bring my case and my tiny vial of tooth powder.

Case (they gave me blue to match my hair), Appliance bath,
tooth powder (need to get a tiny portable brush too)

Care:
I really didn't want to have an open glass of water sitting around with my teeth in it so I bought a little sealing bath at the pharmacy. It has a little draining basket in it so i don't have to fish my teeth out with my paws.

Figuring out how to clean them was a little more challenging. Can not clean them with toothpaste or mouthwash and after reading the ingredients on the denture / retainer cleaners I was determined to not have artificial colors, flavors, chemicals and whatever metal shavings they put in that crap. Turns out really watered down distilled white vinegar does the same job. I'm not a fan of vinegar (unless its salt and vinegar chips) but some running water gets ride of residue.

My teeth in a basket

Then today I visited Dr. Olsson for my last visit (as long as nothing odd happens). All is healing as it should and will continue to for up to two years. I can still feel where there is a break in the bone even tho Dr. Olsson believes I think too much about these things ;)

 …And then I got a brand new face scan!

I KNEW IT, Ive gone full Terminator!!

2013 vs 2016

Post op (wired shut) vs Today

Illuminated chompers

As you can see, where my bottom jaw is broken, the left side has a larger break and plate. This is also the side that still is visible on the outside as well… totally not making that up.

Here is this month's numbness progression. The changes are slight, almost too slight for me to really account in any helpful way…but here it is anyway:

Maybe by the time my invisalign goes into retainer mode I will have more or less feeling and less of a visible crater. Onward!

Day 178: Cleared For Take Off

Happy New Year!! Today is a very special day, a day that seemed like a life-time away. I got up, took a few photos and rushed to the train to head downtown. Why was I so excited?

Because… today is the day I went to visit Dr. Huang (My Orthodontist)! Today is the day I escaped tooth prison… the braces came off!

Dr Huang gets 2 thumbs up!

Just shy of the 2 year mark since I first held my teeth captive, just shy of 6 months since my surgery. The first few months I was sure that it would never end, I was pretty bummed out being an adult with braces…. but holy cow, a lot has changed!

Did it hurt to get them off? Yes, but it may not be that way for everyone. My gums and lips are hyper sensitive at the moment so getting the bracket off the tooth makes them vibrate just enough for the nerves to go bananas. Getting the glue off the individual teeth didn't bother my teeth at all, the blast of air off of the tiny grinder made my gums cringe. The smell of hot tooth glue is not delicious. But Dr. Huang did everything in short bursts, giving me a moment to recover every few teeth. He also tried to shield my gum line from the air (which really only bothered me on the bottom jaw- the very sensitive / numb/ hyperactive / nightmare zone). 

A successful escape

I walked up to the mirror to rinse the glue debris from my mouth and saw my teeth for the first time. I let out an audible giggle. It was the first time I had ever seen my teeth like this! I stayed for end photos and to get impressions for my invisalign retainers. A few months ago they had tried to get some images and opening my mouth with the plastic bars hurt so much I was almost brought to tears. Today everything felt almost normal! Its all sensitive but the pain is going away. The first real sign for me of progress in this department. 

I sent my husband photos from the chair and he came up with the brilliant idea of celebration ramen! The hot soup felt a bit strange on my teeth but with noodles this good, who cares. 

Now I am home and its so surreal… I glace in the mirror and think "look at those chompers"! I actually feel really pretty… go figure!