BRACES OFF!!! (after upper/lower/genio)

[kate0310]

Hi Everyone!
Well just before Xmas i got the BEST present - my debracing, which has been 10.5 years in the works!

For those of you unfamiliar with my surgery, here are the links:

(post-op) viewtopic.php?t=18335&highlight=

(6 month report) viewtopic.php?t=21289&highlight=

My ortho wasn't totally happy with taking my braces off, but my surgeon gave me the O.K. and I am happy with the result. My teeth have been CRAZY sensitive since the appointment but that will get better soon im sure. I still have 4 buttons on my back molars to wear elastics for a few months, but otherwise my mouth is so beautifully naked!!

At 9 months post-op I still have numbness in the lower right side of my face, which i am fairly certain is going to be permanent. It's an inconvenience I am just going to learn to live with...oh well.

This is my post-op Timeline:


And here are the braceless pics!





Thanks to everyone who got me through this surgery recovery (especially Meryaten and Brandy!)

Cheers,
Kate

[HighandLo]

Hi Kate,

You look great! Congratulations! I don't know what your Ortho is unhappy about.

Lo

[iBorg]

Its always good to see someone finish the journey. Your teeth look great!

Merry Christmas and here's to a GREAT New BRACELESS Year!

Mike

[iBorg]

Sorry borrowed a way slow computer.....
Mike

[Brandyleigh35]

Hey Kate,
You look amazing! I knew you would though! Isn't it great to just have them off! Mine were super sensitive too....they are settling down but it is taking awhile. I'm almost 4 weeks debraced and my lowers incisors are still pretty touchy.

You really do look great though, and hopefully that numbness you have will get better with time. It can take up to like 2 years so don't give up yet!

Flash that brilliant smile proudly....lord knows you have suffered through enough to get it!

What kind of retainers are you in? Do you have the invisalign type or the Hawley's like Meryaten? I just found out that mine are 1 month full time wear then I get to go to nights only for 6 months. The 3rd of January will be 1 month so I'm excited about not having to wear the retainers during the day anymore!

[WhiteLurcher]

Congratulations Kate you look fab!
Your bite looks perfect, how does it feel?

Welcome to retainers, I must be twisted but I think I preferred braces!:-*
Taking them on and off every time I want to eat is a pain, but on the other hand it stops me snacking!!!

All the best, have a brilliant New Year!

[phil]

kate,

You look fantastic! Congratulations on closing this chapter of your life!

[kate0310]

THanks you guys!

I got lucky with the retainer- and they just put in two permanent ones, behind my front top and bottom teeth. THe top one has given me a temporary lisp, and its a lifetime of annoying flossing but otherwise they are fine.

And my bite feels good- I can tell its not perfect because I make contact on my left molars before my right, and theres a tiny crossbite - but its very very minor - nothing like before surgery so I'm very happy.

My jaw muscles can sometimes be sore, I think it depends on how I sleep and if I clench my jaw or not. I might try something like acupuncture to try and release it a bit. Has anyone done that on their jaw?