My Dental Journey

[sdawdy]

So, I decided to do a few update photos (mostly to see if these closing loops are doing anything???)

here is my bottom arch. As I mentioned at my last adjustment they took off the double lig configuration that I had going, but due to that my canines started tipping (very little but enough I could tell) toward/behind the lateral incisors. So a slight bend in the wire was made...but now either they are too far forward or the lateral incisors are too far back. here is a pic to show what i mean


Here is the photo from when i had the double ligs.


Now i am starting to notice a crossbite (somewhat with my canines) quite disappointing (but trying to tell myself that things get worse before better)

So here are some today shots of the uppers


Here are a couple weeks ago (although not the same angles)



All in all, i dont think i see any changes

[sdawdy]

Since the last time I posted my world has changed in numerous ways. On June 9th, I tripped in a pothole at work and injured my knee. Thankfully it was a minor sprain but got to spend the next couple of weeks on crutches. So as things were healing (or so I thought), I was slowly developing a blood clot behind the knee. On June 21st, I woke up that morning and was in quite a bit of pain in my back. So, I decided I would take a shower and see if warm water would help relax the muscles. As I was in the shower, I started coughing. And what do I cough up? Blood.

ALARMS are now going off. I jump out of the shower and tell my hubby get dressed you are taking me to the ER. He takes me. They do a chest xray, tell me I have pneumonia, give me a prescription and send me home. A couple of hours later I end up going back to the ER because I was in so much pain and having problems breathing. They do a few more tests and realize, oh wait you dont have pneumonia, you have a blood clot in your right lung. Bam.....Admitted to the hospital. I spent the next 2 days in the hospital. Tuesday night, they let me go home. Back to work on Wednesday.

Sounding Crazy? It gets better.....

The following Saturday, I notice that I am starting to have problems breathing again. But I ignore it thinking its just part of this. On Sunday, June 28th, I end up at the ER AGAIN... they did more tests and admitted again for 4 days as now there are blood clots in my left lung.

So, now we are trying to figure out was it my birth control that caused the blood clot, was it the fact I was a smoker that caused it, was it the knee injury that caused it, or was it genetics that cause it. So now I am on blood thinners for at least the next year and if the genetics test shows positive then the rest of my life.

I have looked death in the face 2 times in about 7 days. Things are getting better now, they have all the different blood levels under control.

But in the mean time, I forgot completely about my teeth. I took pictures tonight as the last time I was on here, I was not thinking anything was happening. And I have an appointment with the fill in ortho tomorrow (my ortho is on maternity leave).

Left Picture will be 6/4, Right picture will be 7/22







This shot shows you can see the gap in the front but it is more noticable to me than anyone looking directly at me

[sdawdy]

Sorry for the gigantic pics. I forgot to resize them

This should help see things better....

well I cant seem to get these to pics smaller even though I resized them.

Stephanie

[starzz]

Sdawdy, that is a scary story about your pulmonary embolism(s)! So glad to hear you have recovered. and recovered again

It happens that I've read a bit of the medical literature on that disease (PE) for research purposes (I'm not a physician). It sounds like you have had multiple risk factors (smoking, birth control, immobility following sprain, and possibly genetics).

So, now we are trying to figure out was it my birth control that caused the blood clot, was it the fact I was a smoker that caused it, was it the knee injury that caused it, or was it genetics that cause it.

I want you to understand that it's not about pointing the blame at a single responsible risk factor; rather ALL these risk multiply together (interact, in fact) to increase your risk.

The good news is you can control some of these risk factors and can choose to reduce or eliminate them, thereby reducing you risk of a recurrence. Please, please try to work on quitting smoking; as I'm sure you know it will have so many benefits. You might also reconsider what form of birth control you use given your recent medical history and I would encourage you to discuss that with your health care provider. Wishing all the best.

Your teeth pics are a good size to see details well, I don't think they're too big and you seem to be making nice progress.

[sdawdy]

Starzz,
Thanks for the reply, it has been a very hectic month and a half. The good news is we have changed my birth control to one that does not have estrogen in it...the part of birth control that has the blood clot problems....and I have officially been 1 month and 2 days without smoking. I am making the changes I need to do to make sure this (within my control) does not happen again. This has been really scary. Gotta remember to tell the ortho that I am now on blood thinners and to mark my chart for future reference!!!!! We dont need any accidents there!!

Thanks on the noticing of progress, I have super stubborn teeth and any movement is good especially when it came from no where like it did this time

SD

[starzz]

Woohoo, good for you smoke free for 1 month, 2 days!!!!! Sounds like you're doing the right things and the condition is being managed well.

[sdawdy]

Just an update....

Health: Seems to be doing ok. Still lots of Dr appointments. Still playing the waiting game on is it genetics or the knee injury but a decision will be made on 09/10/09. Still smoke free. 6 week and 2 days

Teeth: At the last adjustment, the ortho put a no space power chain on on the inside pegs of the brackets on the front two teeth, then the wire, then a no space power chain on top of all the teeth. Over night the big gap was almost closed (see front photo from 6/4, gap that size or smaller(i think smaller)). I did get the closing loops removed (YEA!!!!!). And that was pretty much it. I freaked out the whole office when I told them I am now on blood thinners....I go back (i think) 8/13 for a retie, then 9/3 for an actual adjustment.

My camera is dead so no pics for now. I will get them up later

[sdawdy]

Update time!!!!

Health: Doing good. We think we found the right level of Warfarin to keep my INR between 2 and 3. I am back for blood testing once a month now after several weeks of do this then retest, then do this and retest, etc, etc, etc..... I have more blood work tomorrow to determine if the blood clot was due to the knee injury or if it is a genetic issue (APS). I see the Dr next week to find the results.


Braces: Had an adjustment today. I have been told there are minor tweeks needed on the bottom then they are done. For the top, my ortho said "this, this, this, and this needs to be done then we will be done". I got so excited to hear the words we will be done, i forgot to ask what she meant by "this".
Bottom: Got new powerchain to keep everything in place

Tops: Removed the wire tie powerchains from under the wire, added a full no space powerchain, replaced wire, then another powerchain on top of the wire. same old boring silver

Elastics: Left side only class II



SMOKE FREE since 6/20

[sdawdy]

Sorry I have not posted or taken pictures in a while, but I have been really busy with school starting back up and my health.


So, I went for a retie on 9/24 and because there was so much movement, (yes you heard me right, there was so much movement), the assistant called my ortho over and they decided to put a couple of bends in the wire. Now i have not posted pictures in a little while, but the gap between my front 2 teeth literally closed up over night. I am getting so happy with my new smile. (only took 32 months and counting). I still do not have a debanding date and really want to ask if they will be off by Christmas, but I will not do it.

Here is the latest picture of my teeth.


You might see what seems to be a shadow or the picture is blurred a little with my powerchain, no that is not a camera mess up, i have a powerchain below the wire and above the wire

Here is the picture I took prior to that



Ok, so on the health side of things, we can not get my INR stable, and the next person who comes near me with a needle is going to get it. I am back to weekly blood test as they can not get the meds right. Other than that, it is just a fight now with Workman's Comp to see if my Dr (who decided the blood clots are not genetic) is correct or if their Dr is correct.

[Grover]

Gee that gap has just disappeared!

[petitcanard]

You've had quite the journey! Your teeth are looking great, and I'm glad to hear you're doing ok health-wise. Congrats as well on being smoke free

[sdawdy]

Grover and Petitcanard, thank you for your comments. Sorry it has taken me this long to respond back but I have been super busy with my health, work, and school.

I had a wonderful appointment today....I am about to BUST!!!

I have a debanding date!!!!!! ok so my ortho started out by saying so how are things going...i told her great and that she was going to look and see that my teeth were as perfect as they were going to get and that she was going to say lets take them off....she started laughing and said lets take a look. She did a little looking at things and said for me to bite down and said "Oh my goodness you are correct. Everything is where it needs to be. We get to take these off at your next appointment." I am in complete shock. SO then I was able to ask a few questions about retainers. I will have a fixed retainer on two upper central incisors and a lower fixed retainer from canine to canine. She wants to use the upper fixed retainer to make sure the gap does not come back. (I thanked her many times for that). I will also have Hawleys for both top and bottom.

So then they explained to me that they remove braces in two appointments one week apart. Some of it I dont remember because i was cheering that my braces were coming off. But I think she said that the first appointment (January 6th) they will remove the molar bands and anything to the back of the canines. Leaving the front six on top and bottoms. They will then do the molds for the Hawley retainers. Here is where it gets fuzzy. I am not sure if the Fixed retainers will be applied at this appointment or the next one. But one week later I go back to get the retainers and to get the remaining braces off.

As I was cheering that my braces were coming off, there was a girl there that was pretty young maybe 10 years old that was crying because she was not getting her braces put on yet and she still needed work with the headgear. I felt so bad for her.

I am so freaking excited and no one answered their phones tonight. I was trying to tell the world and no one answered. So I knew I could come here and share the good news and get some cool answers back.

Here are some pics of my teeth as of today


Me with BIG Grin


Bottom Arch


Top Arch


Right Side


Left Side

Oh yeah, since no one was available for my to cheer to when I got the news, I am not going to tell anyone and see how long it takes for people to figure it out....

So what do you think!!!!!!

As far as my health is concerned, I am doing fine. I am still fighting workmans comp for benefits and am having to do an appeal thru the state as they claim that my blood clots did not come from my knee injury (even though my Dr said the opposite.) I have a feeling this will become a long battle and will take a bunch of time.

[Quirky Girl]

Congratulations on the debanding date!!! Your smile looks great!

[sdawdy]

Thank you Quirky Girl. I am so excited. I have only told a couple of people that they are coming off. I am going to leave it as a surprise for my husband. he will be shocked when i come home and it is all gone!!!!

[alibracket]

So so lucky. Im very excited for you! 32 monthes is awhile but you stuck with it. Congrats. Fixed retainers and Hawleys, ..your teeth are gonna stay put!

the ortho says im going to have a fixed retainer on the top as well. I'm not sure about the bottom. But im sure after all this time in braces (and money), I dont want my teeth to even THINK they are moving out of line.