Is 40 too old for a new grill?

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Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:59 pm

Hi TerriD,

I can honestly say when I went through my exposure surgery I was a nervous wreck. I was awake for the procedure and had to ask my OS for some valium so I could stop freaking out! I also had four impacted wisdom teeth removed when I was about 24. The surgery itself was easy being under general anasthesia. You will be uncomfortable after the surgery for sure, but nothing that won't resolve itself gradually over time. It's definitely easier than you are expecting. Also, I still have a bit of numbness from my exposure surgery but it doesn't bother me at all. There's a small "strip" along my upper front teeth that is numb but I only notice it when I'm running my tongue along the area, usually searching hopefully for a sign of the impacted tooth coming out! Remember that this is a common and relatively easy procedure for your surgeon. Be prepared with some liquids and soft foods plus some pain relievers afterward and you will be fine!

Good luck!
Karen

Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:16 pm

Hey All,

Have any of you had experiences with impacted canines? What type of procedure did you undergo? How long did the tooth take to come out? How long before the tooth was inline with its neighbors? I'm looking for a reality check. When I had my exposure procedure done in June I was thinking that perhaps within six months the tooth would come down. Now I'm thinking that maybe eight months is more realistic.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Karen

#18 Post by **GiverSSJ** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:42 pm

Welcome to board.

It is always good to get your teeth and jaw in order for your health(and for the function of your teeth). I am right now in braces for the function reason. I was always biting into my cheek and starting to develop TMJ.

Have you reconsidered getting jaw surgery since you first posted your original post?

Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:37 am

Hi GiverSSJ,

No, I haven't really addressed it. I think it's still too early in my treatment to know if braces will be sufficient to address my bite issues. I also fear that surgery would change the way my face looks and I've kind of gotten used to this old mug after 40 years!

Good luck to you,
Karen

Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:04 pm

HOORAY!!! I went to the ortho yesterday for an emergency adjustment and it looks like Phil, the impacted canine, is FINALLY on the move! I can see and feel a large bump on the roof of my mouth!! I hope that means I will actually start to see that tooth emerge by the end of the year! I'm already 10 months into my treatment and Phil seems to have been holding up progress. Once I get this tooth straightened out (no pun intended) I can get the baby tooth pulled and get my bottom braces on. Send me your good tooth vibes, People!!!

Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:00 pm

Thank you, Ken! I'm still in a lot of pain from my adjustment so I'm hoping Phil is getting the hint that I'm serious. GET OUT!

Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:54 pm

I still don't see any progress with my impacted canine. I have an adjustment tomorrow and I think my ortho is ready to discuss plan B with me. Originally he wanted to extract all three of my canines - the impacted tooth, the baby, and the healthy canine on my left side - and pull everything forward. Now I think that would look odd and may have a negative impact on my bite. Has anyone else had this done? I think maybe an implant shaped like my existing canine would look and feel more balanced, but I also know implants are expensive. Any insight?

Mon Apr 19, 2010 3:59 pm

I have an impacted canine and I have my consult for surgery on the 21st. I would really tell your dentist surgeon ortho whatever no when it comes to pulling out your healthy canine. The canines are very important when it comes to your bite. they are the strong and used to chewing and biting. Dont get it removed. Instead, talk to your ortho and if your exposure surgery wasnt a success they can go in and try again, and if that doesnt work get an implant.

Wed May 05, 2010 10:55 am

So, after about 10 months of trying to pull down my impacted canine, it was removed yesterday along with the baby tooth and another cuspid on the other side of my mouth. I was disappointed that the tooh would not move, but in a way I'm happy to have moved on to a new plan so I can start looking for some good results. Even if I do have to look a bit like a Jack-O-Lantern in the meantime!

#25 Post by **catgyrl** » Wed May 05, 2010 6:56 pm

Congrats!!

I just turned 42 and got my braces a month ago... AND I LOVE THEM! I've always wanted them, but we could never afford them. I, too, cut bangs for myself a couple of weeks ago, and I look even younger than did before - truly looked like a teenager. I don't mind looking young, but not THAT young. My hairdresser's gonna have a cow when I see her this weekend.

I also had a tooth extracted a few days ago, and if I smile REAL big, I look like a Jack-o-Lantern, too. I'm hoping to get a wire or powerchain put across it so it's not so noticeable.

You are SO cracking me up with the "Phil" thing. Keep up the positive vibe!

-Cathy

Thu May 06, 2010 3:19 pm

How funny, Cathy, I just posted on your blog about a minute and a half ago! I can't wait to get to my ortho next week and get these gaps on their way to closing! But the funny thing is, I've spoken to a couple dozen co-workers since my surgery, and unless I pointed it out, not one of them noticed these big holes. I might say they're being polite, but after three years of working here I know better! The office manager said to me yesterday, "Your cheeks look amazing! Did you get Restalyne?" I said, "Uhm no, I think I might be swollen from having teeth extracted." What an odd reaction.

Good luck! I will keep watch on your progress since we are in the same toothless boat!

#27 Post by **catgyrl** » Thu May 06, 2010 6:44 pm

Under Construction wrote:How funny, Cathy, I just posted on your blog about a minute and a half ago! I can't wait to get to my ortho next week and get these gaps on their way to closing! But the funny thing is, I've spoken to a couple dozen co-workers since my surgery, and unless I pointed it out, not one of them noticed these big holes. I might say they're being polite, but after three years of working here I know better! The office manager said to me yesterday, "Your cheeks look amazing! Did you get Restalyne?" I said, "Uhm no, I think I might be swollen from having teeth extracted." What an odd reaction.

Good luck! I will keep watch on your progress since we are in the same toothless boat!

Two toothless old goats!!

That is a very odd reaction - Restalyne?? I don't know if I'd ever have the nerve to ask someone if they'd had some sort of plastic surgery or anything like that. I'd probably just not say anything. I've had coworkers who decided not to even mention my braces to me, even though they had noticed I had them. One said she didn't want me to feel self-conscious. ??? If I were, I wouldn't be smiling and laughing up a storm. One asked me if I was going to get a boyfriend, and then said I'd probably want to wait another couple of years. I said, "Why, because I have braces? I happen to think I look pretty cute!"

Anyway, I asked the ortho today why I was only getting one extraction, and he said, "Why - do you want another one?" Haha - funny guy (NOT!) He said just what I said - that because my teeth are already pushed off to the right, we just want to bring them back over where they belong. My upper arch is pretty crowded (like a skinny U-shape), instead of more rounded.

I got new wires today!

Posted pics in my story thread.

I hope you're healing well. Other than some itchy gums, I can't even feel like I've had a tooth yanked. Good luck next week - keep us posted!

-Cathy

Wed May 12, 2010 2:48 pm

Testing to see if I can figure out how to post my gap photos!

Wed May 12, 2010 3:06 pm

Well that worked! Now you can all see my lovely gaps. I've decided it could be a great place to store my pen when I'm not writing!

Cathy, lucky you that it is only one gap...for now! I hope that decision sticks! I am healing well, thank you for asking. I'm barely taking any pain medication anymore. Which is fine for today, but tomorrow I go in for an adjustment and I have a feeling I'll come out needing to pop the pills again!

Onward and upward!

Wed May 12, 2010 4:01 pm

You dont even look the age you say! You look very young. Your gaps are coming along nicely and they will be gone before you know it.