Bad Donnie.... Belated update

Well, I am still making progress. My bottom expander was removed recently. It happened a lot earlier than I thought. My teeth are extra sensitive. I will be getting my wisdom teeth out ASAP.
I have decided that in a few years, after I get them off, I will have a "coming out" party. Yippy fun!
Later!

A new spring in my step... well, mouth at least.

I went to the ortho Wednesday, and I now have springs pushing my canines outward from my two center front top teeth. Afterwards, they will bring my second row of 2 teeth forward to fill in the new gaps. They really hurt, but after a few hours, I could already see a difference.

Been awhile, expanding nicely... I guess.

Well, after the extractions and a few failed attempts to put in my bone bender, we finally got it in. I am not talking as funny as I thought I would. This one is a lot better than the first one. I will go back in 5 weeks and see how it is working or if it is working. In other oral news, one of my bottom canines is moving into the spot where a tooth was pulled. This is due to the help of the rubber bands and power chains. It is kind of weird that this is possible. Later.

Extraction update.

I was able to get squeezed into the dentist for what I thought was just an evaluation. I was glad, since I had the day off already. But, after they evaluated, I realized that they were about to pull'em out! I was scared enough already, but thought I had a few days to let it soak in. Nope. I am now nursing my wounds and about to enjoy some mashed potatos and pudding for dinner. I need food, to take my pain midication. What a day!

Oh Sucky Day.

Well....
My worst fears came true today. Extractions are coming my way. We will be getting rid of one tooth from the bottom and another two from the top. It is commendable that my ortho tried to do it without extractions, but today he saw the light or stepped into the darkness... whatever you prefer and saw that it would ultimately be impossible to straighten my trap without pulling teeth. I was expecting some extractions in the first place. I was very excited when he said that I wouldn't have to. Now I am let down.

On the bright side. While I had originally gone in to switch out my upper appliances, I am now getting a break from them. I can already tell how I really have more room. That is the bright side.

Later!

Oh the pain!

Today, I went back to the ortho. They pulled out my appliance for my palate..... the roof of my mouth. In order to do this, they apply enough pressure to break the seal of the cement. My teeth were already sensitive due to the fact that the appliance was moving them around. I screamed like a baby! At one time I asked the ortho assistant if my teeth were still in there and thankfully they were. After this, they made an impression to get ready for the appliance that is taking me the rest of the way. I will get the new appliance in two weeks. Unfotunately though, they had to put the old appliance back in to make sure they kept the space where it was. Just as they had trouble getting both sides in the first time, they had to wrestle it back in this time and more pain ensued.

On the bright side, while the appliance was out, I went around the office, when I got up to wrinse my mouth out and stuff, mumbling and talking and enjoying the space I have been with out for so many weeks. Ahh. It felt like I actually had more room in my mouth. Judging by the appliance I have on, I have widened at least a good 1/4 inch in the last 5.5 weeks. Except for the obvious soreness in the teeth on occassion, I haven't felt any pain from the appliance doing its job on my bones. I have only felt a little pressure from it. Yippy! Anyway, it is back to food processor food again. After doing what they did today, my teeth alignment is off again.

Silver Bullet.

After this visit, I had silver bands put in to replace the red, white, and blue. My expanders are working fine. I asked the Ortho why he opted not to prescribe surgery and he said it was because he knows what these appliances could do. After the appliances that I am using were made, he said he wished he could have taken back some of the surgeries he prescribed. Because my teeth were so crowded, the expander in my upper area (palate) had to be put off for a temporary one. The progress is going so well, when I go back in three weeks, we are going to make an impression for the permanent expander.

The last few weeks have been interesting. I even have a recipe for fajita pudding.... mmmm. Looks terrible but tastes alright!
Check back in 3 weeks.

More Metal to Make room for my tongue.

As I mentioned in previous blogs, I have a really small mouth. So small, my tongue does not fit properly. Either that, or I have an extra large tongue. I went back today and had the Palatal Expanders slapped in as well as some brackets and wires. The Expanders will widen my upper and lower jaws. For your enjoyment, I am giving you this link to see what it is I have in my mouth that makes me talk funny right now. Expanders

These things really work. The top one, that is turned by a key to expand, left a definite odd feeling up through my nose as Francis (the ortho assistant) showed Teach how to turn it. Lots of fun. I can't chew for a while since my teeth don't meet up anymore. I am buying stock in Smoothie King this week.

In addition to all the metal, the brackets get colored bands that can be changed in and out each time I visit. For the next three weeks, in honor of fourth of July, I will have red, white, and blue. Next time, I am getting black and gold to celebrate the beginning of school and my school's colors. The kids should love it.

Later.