You know its possible that you are , just like me always looking into things too deeply.
Hang in there I know it will work out.
Dave
Stability Questions, LeFort I--Life with a delayed Union
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hi phil, Your post of Saturday was a bit alarming for me, So far my only contact with you has been to take the wonderful support and advice you gave me. really sorry to see you feeling that way but I just wonder if , like I tend to do. is concentrate on the worst case situation. Your medical team seem OK with your situation so perhaps its time to trust in them but do contact them Very soon and explain your fears, exactly as you posted.
You know its possible that you are , just like me always looking into things too deeply.
Hang in there I know it will work out.
Dave
You know its possible that you are , just like me always looking into things too deeply.
Hang in there I know it will work out.
Dave
In braces since 13th June 2005. Upper and lower on the 15th August 2007 and braces off 23rd October
Davep,
Thanks for all your kindness and support. I am trying to be optimistic, but am very scared.
All my friends at church this morning were just lovely about it. They all know how frightening this is for me, as a professional singer, let alone a human being!
Thanks again, to you, Davep, and all the great folks on Archwired who are helping me through this. I really couldn't do it without you!
Thanks for all your kindness and support. I am trying to be optimistic, but am very scared.
All my friends at church this morning were just lovely about it. They all know how frightening this is for me, as a professional singer, let alone a human being!
Thanks again, to you, Davep, and all the great folks on Archwired who are helping me through this. I really couldn't do it without you!
Hey Phil,
I've been catching up on your thread and postings. I am sorry to hear you are so worried! But, I completely understand it. We've taken a big step with our surgeries. Even though most of us on this part of the board have gone through surgery and so much appreciate the comraderie here, we can still go through some powerful emotions personally.
I read some of the info you linked to and it's really interesting. Graphic, too! For me, too much information on some subjects is not productive, so I'll just read the pertinent parts. I have an overactive imagination anyway and can go from 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds and finish the story before it ever starts
! So, I know what you mean, DaveP.
What I can say is that my OS didn't seem overly concerned or surprised when we talked about the delayed union. He said it was too early for any other measures than removing the bands and taking time out to heal. And he did say he had never heard of someone NOT healing eventually. That's why they screen patients for health problems beforehand and you apparently passed that test.
Unsolicited advice: Be sure and get enough sleep! Problems are always bigger when you're physically drained. I hope you will start to feel some comfort in your situation soon.
Have a good week at school, too!
Lo
I've been catching up on your thread and postings. I am sorry to hear you are so worried! But, I completely understand it. We've taken a big step with our surgeries. Even though most of us on this part of the board have gone through surgery and so much appreciate the comraderie here, we can still go through some powerful emotions personally.
I read some of the info you linked to and it's really interesting. Graphic, too! For me, too much information on some subjects is not productive, so I'll just read the pertinent parts. I have an overactive imagination anyway and can go from 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds and finish the story before it ever starts
! So, I know what you mean, DaveP. What I can say is that my OS didn't seem overly concerned or surprised when we talked about the delayed union. He said it was too early for any other measures than removing the bands and taking time out to heal. And he did say he had never heard of someone NOT healing eventually. That's why they screen patients for health problems beforehand and you apparently passed that test.
Unsolicited advice: Be sure and get enough sleep! Problems are always bigger when you're physically drained. I hope you will start to feel some comfort in your situation soon.
Have a good week at school, too!
Lo
Hello, Lo!
I just got home from my first day back at work--meetings all day. We have a "welcome back to school" hour for the parents tonight, so I'm going to go and meet them. It was interesting to spend a morning with my new staff--every group is different and interesting in their own way! The kids arrive on Wednesday, and that will be VERY interesting.
Thank you for encouraging me. I am trying not to be afraid, or dwell too much on my condition, because if I do it upsets me. I really don't feel too bad, and aside from not being able to bite down or chew, I really don't have any problems to speak of. I'm so used to blended diet now, that I don't consider it an inconvenience. It sometimes feels kind of strange when I talk, like things are a little wobbly if my teeth happen to occlude. I also sometimes get some strange sensations when I swallow, from pressure on the roof of my mouth. But really, I'm managing OK.
Appointments next week! OD on Tuesday afternoon (what he's going to do is still a mystery to me!), and OS Wednesday morning first thing. It's going to be a lot of driving for me for a couple of days, since the offices are one one side of town, and my school is on the other. I'll work it all out, I'm sure!
Thanks again for all of your support. I'll keep everyone posted!
I just got home from my first day back at work--meetings all day. We have a "welcome back to school" hour for the parents tonight, so I'm going to go and meet them. It was interesting to spend a morning with my new staff--every group is different and interesting in their own way! The kids arrive on Wednesday, and that will be VERY interesting.
Thank you for encouraging me. I am trying not to be afraid, or dwell too much on my condition, because if I do it upsets me. I really don't feel too bad, and aside from not being able to bite down or chew, I really don't have any problems to speak of. I'm so used to blended diet now, that I don't consider it an inconvenience. It sometimes feels kind of strange when I talk, like things are a little wobbly if my teeth happen to occlude. I also sometimes get some strange sensations when I swallow, from pressure on the roof of my mouth. But really, I'm managing OK.
Appointments next week! OD on Tuesday afternoon (what he's going to do is still a mystery to me!), and OS Wednesday morning first thing. It's going to be a lot of driving for me for a couple of days, since the offices are one one side of town, and my school is on the other. I'll work it all out, I'm sure!
Thanks again for all of your support. I'll keep everyone posted!
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SandraJones
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:23 am
- Location: Chicago
hey Phil, I am still obsessing over this book you posted the link to !! It's absolutely fascinating. I'm reading the chapters out of order, the last I finished was the chapter about complications. It reminded me of something the physician had noted in the operational procedure ... at the downfracture time, my maxilla broke in the third molar sites instead of along the intended line. He wrote "This was no problem". ACK !! I'm imaging shattered frayed bone. And yet 26 years later I think I have had zero problems, and in my recent dental and orthodontic x-rays everything looks fine even to the critical eyes of the professionals, so it must have fractured cleanly, albeit in the wrong spots. The book said that unanticipated maxilla fractures have not been well documented, I'm guessing they are not as serious as unanticipated mandible fractures. Anyway, this is just one of many fascinating things that I am reading and I thank you again for posting that link !
I hope as each day passes you're better able to process your situation, as serious as it it. It makes me wonder how a person who is diagnosed with a very serious illness handles the news, I'm sure there's some well-documented process which starts out with shock and transforms into fear, and then hopefully a feeling of control as you research and consult with docs and take action to deal with the problem.
I hope as each day passes you're better able to process your situation, as serious as it it. It makes me wonder how a person who is diagnosed with a very serious illness handles the news, I'm sure there's some well-documented process which starts out with shock and transforms into fear, and then hopefully a feeling of control as you research and consult with docs and take action to deal with the problem.
Nov 1960: born
1973 ?: palate expander
1973-1977: braces
Aug 1981: Le Fort I, posterior impaction to correct anterior open bite and class II malocclusion
Aug 2007: braces again to correct various alignment issues and class II malocclusion
1973 ?: palate expander
1973-1977: braces
Aug 1981: Le Fort I, posterior impaction to correct anterior open bite and class II malocclusion
Aug 2007: braces again to correct various alignment issues and class II malocclusion
SandraJones,
"Peterson's Principles" is a great resource. I'm glad you're reading it and learning a lot.
At the risk of jinxing myself, I dare say that things have felt a little firmer over the last couple of days (KNOCK ON WOOD!). We'll just hope that something good is going on inside my body. I will see the surgeon again next week, and we'll see what HE has to say!
"Peterson's Principles" is a great resource. I'm glad you're reading it and learning a lot.
At the risk of jinxing myself, I dare say that things have felt a little firmer over the last couple of days (KNOCK ON WOOD!). We'll just hope that something good is going on inside my body. I will see the surgeon again next week, and we'll see what HE has to say!
Teeth feel like they are moving
Hey everyone,
I know this has probably been posted 1000x's , but I need to ask a few questions and hopefully get some solid answers back.
I am 16 days post op from SARPE surgery. My oral surgeon says I'm healing perfectly and my bite looks good. I am not turning anymore and have about a 4-5 mm space. Not in pain at all, which has been a great thing.
From reading other posts I would say I'm healing pretty good. I am able to eat things like pasta. I have to chew on my side, but its do able.
However I do have a problem. At random times, either by drinking or eating (usually eating), I get these sharp pulling feelings in my front teeth. They aren't painful, but they get my attention qucikly and it makes me not want to eat. It almost feels like my palate expander is moving, but I know its not b/c its cemented in there solid.
Does anyone know what exactly what this is? Its really annoying, and I know perhaps I may be pushing it when it comes to eating, but I can't live on soup, milkshakes, and ice cream forever ( its can happen sometimes when I eat these foods too).
My ortho told me that my space should close in a week or two, that is close to the point where no one would know that I had surgery. My speech has be dramatically affected, and I'm a high school teacher.
I know this post is really long, but if someone knows what this feeling is / and if its normal pleeeeeease let me know!
-Tom
I know this has probably been posted 1000x's , but I need to ask a few questions and hopefully get some solid answers back.
I am 16 days post op from SARPE surgery. My oral surgeon says I'm healing perfectly and my bite looks good. I am not turning anymore and have about a 4-5 mm space. Not in pain at all, which has been a great thing.
From reading other posts I would say I'm healing pretty good. I am able to eat things like pasta. I have to chew on my side, but its do able.
However I do have a problem. At random times, either by drinking or eating (usually eating), I get these sharp pulling feelings in my front teeth. They aren't painful, but they get my attention qucikly and it makes me not want to eat. It almost feels like my palate expander is moving, but I know its not b/c its cemented in there solid.
Does anyone know what exactly what this is? Its really annoying, and I know perhaps I may be pushing it when it comes to eating, but I can't live on soup, milkshakes, and ice cream forever ( its can happen sometimes when I eat these foods too).
My ortho told me that my space should close in a week or two, that is close to the point where no one would know that I had surgery. My speech has be dramatically affected, and I'm a high school teacher.
I know this post is really long, but if someone knows what this feeling is / and if its normal pleeeeeease let me know!
-Tom
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Brandyleigh35
- Posts: 1018
- Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:25 pm
- Location: Alaska
- Contact:
Hey Tom,
I can't address the pulling feelings specifically, however I do know that when I had my SARPE my front teeth were really tender for quite awhile. At 16 days post op its hard to say, it could just be part of the healing process in that maybe your maxilla is trying to settle into its new position and that cold and hot things cause the muscles to contract which could account for that pulling feeling. It could also be due to your sinuses trying to re-group and heal up. For a long time I could feel a shooting sensation from like right below my left sinus all the way along my top left teeth. It eventually went away as I continued to heal. It took a full 15 months for things to get back to totally normal again, with feeling in my front left incisor being the very last to recover.
You really do want to go kindof easy on the eating thing though. Granted I realize it's hard to eat just smoothies and shakes, but you want to keep it soft for a few weeks. My ortho said it takes 3 months for the bones to fully heal, and while I was eating soft chicken the day of my SARPE, I was careful to keep things soft, like pasta, for a good month afterwards. The sensation you are feeling could also be your mouth telling your that it is doing too much work. When I had the RPE, eating waa rough. It was like tongue gymnastics, and my mouth would tire easily. The recovery process seems to start from the back teeth and work its way forward, with the front teeth usually being the last to get full feeling back. There is a lot of healing going on in your mouth, I would take it easy and give it a couple more weeks before you get too worried. 16 days is really a short amount of time! Things will start to improve dramatically by about 4-6 weeks.
Hope this helps some!
Brandy
I can't address the pulling feelings specifically, however I do know that when I had my SARPE my front teeth were really tender for quite awhile. At 16 days post op its hard to say, it could just be part of the healing process in that maybe your maxilla is trying to settle into its new position and that cold and hot things cause the muscles to contract which could account for that pulling feeling. It could also be due to your sinuses trying to re-group and heal up. For a long time I could feel a shooting sensation from like right below my left sinus all the way along my top left teeth. It eventually went away as I continued to heal. It took a full 15 months for things to get back to totally normal again, with feeling in my front left incisor being the very last to recover.
You really do want to go kindof easy on the eating thing though. Granted I realize it's hard to eat just smoothies and shakes, but you want to keep it soft for a few weeks. My ortho said it takes 3 months for the bones to fully heal, and while I was eating soft chicken the day of my SARPE, I was careful to keep things soft, like pasta, for a good month afterwards. The sensation you are feeling could also be your mouth telling your that it is doing too much work. When I had the RPE, eating waa rough. It was like tongue gymnastics, and my mouth would tire easily. The recovery process seems to start from the back teeth and work its way forward, with the front teeth usually being the last to get full feeling back. There is a lot of healing going on in your mouth, I would take it easy and give it a couple more weeks before you get too worried. 16 days is really a short amount of time! Things will start to improve dramatically by about 4-6 weeks.
Hope this helps some!
Brandy
Well, everyone, greetings! It was a busy day today. I saw the surgeon at 4:15 and the orthodontist at 4:30 (their offices are right across the hall from each other, thank goodness). So, here's what I know:
The surgeon agrees with me--basically no change. Sigh. slight mobility in the maxilla. He's not really saying much about what he THINKS is going on, but everyone's afraid of getting their hineys sued off these days aren't they? He sent all my records, along with a referral letter to the head of oral/maxillofacial at a major university here. I have an appointment with HIM in two weeks. Then, I see MY surgeon after that. Bottom line--surgeon seems to think that we won't notice any change for another six weeks or so. Fine with me, as long as I have a time frame. I will mark the days on the calendar.
Immediately following that visit, I dashed across the hall to my orthodontists' office (yes, the apostrophe is in the right place--there are TWO of them!). Rookie assistant (hmm) ushers me to my chair, and I ask her if she knows what's going on. She looks sort of puzzled at me. I try to give her the reader's digest version, and say to her, "my maxilla is mobile, I just want to warn you!" This is followed by chuckles from her, and "I think I'll have the orthodontist look at you before we do anything." Wise move, rookie. Orthodontist JR. comes to my chair. He is totally clueless about my case. Evidently orthodontist SR. didn't discuss it with him. Thank God, a) I had seen the surgeon beforehand, and knew specifically what was OK and what was not, and b) that I have educated myself enough to discuss this intelligently with JR. and fill him in (I bet he felt really STUPID not having been apprised of my case--by the way, when I originally scheduled the appointment, I asked the receptionist to check with SR. and make sure that it was OK for me to be seen by JR. Supposedly he said it was fine. My pet peeve...lack of communication. Anyway, once I informed JR. that I have a fibrous union/delayed union/partial union/nonunion (take your pick, everyone else does), and that we are NOT wearing elastics according to surgeon's orders (and SR. agreed to this), the treatment commences with getting rid of my surgical wire up top (HOORAY), and putting in a d-rect, just like the bottom (very flexible, and braided). O-chain back on, wire ties, just like before. We left the bottom alone. Fine with me. I am not anxious for anyone to go gangbusters on my teeth these days!
I was very fortunate (silver lining of my cloudy visits) to get rid of Rookie (she must have been scared out of her britches) and VETERAN assistant with crazy sense of humor and amazing skill steps over to take care of me. God bless her. NOTHING hurt today. She was so careful. And, she even filed off all the sharp ends on my braided wires, so that for the first time in weeks tonight, I am completely comfortable without wearing wax. GOD BLESS VETERAN ASSISTANT! After all, she's been doing her job for over twenty years--in her own words, "I've done this a time or two."
That's all I know for now. For some, it may be TMI, and I hope you skipped to the end, if that's the case. For now, we're playing the waiting game.
The surgeon agrees with me--basically no change. Sigh. slight mobility in the maxilla. He's not really saying much about what he THINKS is going on, but everyone's afraid of getting their hineys sued off these days aren't they? He sent all my records, along with a referral letter to the head of oral/maxillofacial at a major university here. I have an appointment with HIM in two weeks. Then, I see MY surgeon after that. Bottom line--surgeon seems to think that we won't notice any change for another six weeks or so. Fine with me, as long as I have a time frame. I will mark the days on the calendar.
Immediately following that visit, I dashed across the hall to my orthodontists' office (yes, the apostrophe is in the right place--there are TWO of them!). Rookie assistant (hmm) ushers me to my chair, and I ask her if she knows what's going on. She looks sort of puzzled at me. I try to give her the reader's digest version, and say to her, "my maxilla is mobile, I just want to warn you!" This is followed by chuckles from her, and "I think I'll have the orthodontist look at you before we do anything." Wise move, rookie. Orthodontist JR. comes to my chair. He is totally clueless about my case. Evidently orthodontist SR. didn't discuss it with him. Thank God, a) I had seen the surgeon beforehand, and knew specifically what was OK and what was not, and b) that I have educated myself enough to discuss this intelligently with JR. and fill him in (I bet he felt really STUPID not having been apprised of my case--by the way, when I originally scheduled the appointment, I asked the receptionist to check with SR. and make sure that it was OK for me to be seen by JR. Supposedly he said it was fine. My pet peeve...lack of communication. Anyway, once I informed JR. that I have a fibrous union/delayed union/partial union/nonunion (take your pick, everyone else does), and that we are NOT wearing elastics according to surgeon's orders (and SR. agreed to this), the treatment commences with getting rid of my surgical wire up top (HOORAY), and putting in a d-rect, just like the bottom (very flexible, and braided). O-chain back on, wire ties, just like before. We left the bottom alone. Fine with me. I am not anxious for anyone to go gangbusters on my teeth these days!
I was very fortunate (silver lining of my cloudy visits) to get rid of Rookie (she must have been scared out of her britches) and VETERAN assistant with crazy sense of humor and amazing skill steps over to take care of me. God bless her. NOTHING hurt today. She was so careful. And, she even filed off all the sharp ends on my braided wires, so that for the first time in weeks tonight, I am completely comfortable without wearing wax. GOD BLESS VETERAN ASSISTANT! After all, she's been doing her job for over twenty years--in her own words, "I've done this a time or two."
That's all I know for now. For some, it may be TMI, and I hope you skipped to the end, if that's the case. For now, we're playing the waiting game.
Meryaten and Smile2006, thanks for your posts.
I'm trying to laugh, so that I don't cry. I am considering having a conversation with SR. orthodontist about the communication gap. Really, these things are easily taken care of. Just pick up a phone, or in some cases, walk to the next room!
Oh, and by the way, I heard another term for what I have from JR. orthodontist: SPONGY MAXILLA! So, I'm going to have my own animated television show, I think...(Imagine the theme to "Spongebob Squarepants" playing in your head)
Who flops all around when I chew and I bite?
SPONGY MAXILLA!
Who heals for eight weeks and then suddenly's not right?
SPONGY MAXILLA!
Who hates MR. ELASTICS and loves blended food?
SPONGY MAXILLA!
Who's always instable but rarely is rude?
SPONGY MAXILLA, SPONGY MAXILLA, SPONGY...MAXILLA!!! HOORAY!!!
I'm trying to laugh, so that I don't cry. I am considering having a conversation with SR. orthodontist about the communication gap. Really, these things are easily taken care of. Just pick up a phone, or in some cases, walk to the next room!
Oh, and by the way, I heard another term for what I have from JR. orthodontist: SPONGY MAXILLA! So, I'm going to have my own animated television show, I think...(Imagine the theme to "Spongebob Squarepants" playing in your head)
Who flops all around when I chew and I bite?
SPONGY MAXILLA!
Who heals for eight weeks and then suddenly's not right?
SPONGY MAXILLA!
Who hates MR. ELASTICS and loves blended food?
SPONGY MAXILLA!
Who's always instable but rarely is rude?
SPONGY MAXILLA, SPONGY MAXILLA, SPONGY...MAXILLA!!! HOORAY!!!
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SandraJones
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:23 am
- Location: Chicago
Oh Phil, you just really need a break here !
I hear you about veteran vs. rookie assistants. I am just into this second -round-of-braces experience and I've already experienced the difference. Separators was the first ... rookie couldn't even get one in properly, veteran stepped in and pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop the remaining 7 were in place in a flash. A couple days later I fixed the rookie's separator ! Easier for me to tolerate the rookie because I don't have any underlying worries.
It's bad that you (and I mean you specifically) have to watch their every move and inform them of what's going on when that should already have been communicated to them. Do you ever wonder how other people who are not so assertive (or who are not able to do thorough research) get on in life ???
I hear you about veteran vs. rookie assistants. I am just into this second -round-of-braces experience and I've already experienced the difference. Separators was the first ... rookie couldn't even get one in properly, veteran stepped in and pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop the remaining 7 were in place in a flash. A couple days later I fixed the rookie's separator ! Easier for me to tolerate the rookie because I don't have any underlying worries.
It's bad that you (and I mean you specifically) have to watch their every move and inform them of what's going on when that should already have been communicated to them. Do you ever wonder how other people who are not so assertive (or who are not able to do thorough research) get on in life ???
Nov 1960: born
1973 ?: palate expander
1973-1977: braces
Aug 1981: Le Fort I, posterior impaction to correct anterior open bite and class II malocclusion
Aug 2007: braces again to correct various alignment issues and class II malocclusion
1973 ?: palate expander
1973-1977: braces
Aug 1981: Le Fort I, posterior impaction to correct anterior open bite and class II malocclusion
Aug 2007: braces again to correct various alignment issues and class II malocclusion