Metal Mouth Message Board

So, I am getting my bands cut off this Thursday (banded shut for 6 weeks now). Will there be much pain with movement? Will I be able to chew? Will I have to stick to mashed potatoes and other non-chew foods? If so, how long?

Also, a week after the bands come off, I will be having the screws removed at the Maxillo-facial surgeon's office. He said he will do it under anesthesia. Does anyone know what this means? Is it intravenous sedation, general anesthesia , twilight... what? Will I have to be out of work afterward?

*my dang doctor is on vacation again (second time since my surgery).

Hi AZWILDCATS - When I had my screws removed, they used a topical "numbing" ointment on the screw sites to kind of "numb" the area (like novacain ) They used these long q-tips to apply them for a few minutes - I didn't have any local/general anesthetic (ie: needles). It took the edge off of the pain, and I hope that I don't scare you, but I found that some of the screws were quite painful when they took them out (with a screwdriver). So please tell them if you need a break, or if you need more novacain.
After that, 2 advils later, all was fine!! I could have gone back to work right after, but luckily I had the rest of the day off, but was back the next day.
I am not sure what anesthesia your surgeon is going to use, but I don't think that it is necessary to go under for this procedure.

Best of Luck & I'm sorry to hear that you are still experiencing sore gums - hopefully that will go away once those darn bands and screws are taken out I'm sure the freedom of moving your jaws will be worth it!!

Cyn - how was your movement when you were un-banded... was your jaw stiff? Did it hurt to open your mouth? How was eating?

no, my bands were not as thick as yours - i had the same elastics as they use in orthodontics -3 oz weight (?) so I could move my jaws while my elastics were on and was allowed to take them off for eating and brushing- so I wasn't banded totally shut like yours... doing the exercises my surgeon showed me helped with my range of motion helped a LOT though

Oh ok, thanks Cyn.

I know my surgeon is a good one, but honestly, he just doesn't give much info as to what to expect. Maybe they do that on purpose so you're not totally freaked out. Me? I like to know.

Hi AZWILDCATS - I'm exactly the same I like to know in every detail of what is going to happen ! Maybe if you called your surgeon and asked exactly what type of anaesthetic they are using, this would help better prepare yourself mentally and with your work.

I didn't read your other post until now and saw the pic with the large amount of swelling over your screws and bands - I hope I don't mislead you because of my experience - perhaps your surgeon may decide that going under would be more comfortable for you, as it would seem definately a lot more painful to remove your screws from under your gum tissue than in my situation.

Best Wishes I hope you don't experience too much discomfort, and hopefully soon you will be able to chew!

ONE MORE DAY!!!! WOOOHOOO! Bands come off tomorrow!

MASHED POTATOES AND MAC N CHEESE HERE I COME!

Screws come out next week under general anesthesia.