Hi! I'm new!

[Alisonpv]

I'm still being a bit "too good to be true" cautious... I will ask for a pre-treatment etc.. But in the benefits summary it says Ortho lifetime max $3,000 per individual, to any age. treatment covered at 50%... But from what I'm reading it's really rare... so I don't want to get my hopes up too high.

He works for a large worldwide computer company

[DanishSheikh]

Hello. Im new aswell. Hope to see you more.

[Alisonpv]

So I decided on the Damon System, and I have a tenative braces on date of June 21.

But I have to see a periodontist this Thursday for approval to begin treatment.

This step is freaking me out I will be SO upset that if after ALL THIS (going from ortho to ortho with consults, working with the general dentist to get prior problems fixed etc...) What if the periodontist puts the kibosh on it and says no?

If he says yes, the next step is pre-molar extraction x2 on the top arch. I hope to do that the same day the braces are installed. (Has anyone done that? tooth extraction the same day you get your braces? Am I an idiot for going that route?)

[amyhenna]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I cut my research short with the idea that anything any orthodontist does to my teeth will be an improvement over what I've got going right now

It helped me get past the research part & jump right into the fun

A month and a half into ceramics on top & bottom six teeth, I sometimes wish I'd gone metal all around, but I also know myself well enough to know that if I'd done that, I'd always wonder if I should have gone with the ceramics.

The one drawback I can say for ceramics is it is very liptstick limiting!!! Even wearing ColorStay lipstick doesn't keep the red off the brackets and/or clear ligs. I'm going to try colored ligs next to see if they will disguise the lipstick better.

[Alisonpv]

I am all ready to jump in on the fun for braces!

It's the periodontal surgery threat that has me nervous. I had chosen Damon braces to avoid palatal expansion surgery (fully knowing it won't be 100% perfect) But as you said, ANY improvement is better then what I have right now!

But the ortho just told me this week that he thinks I need "periodontal treatment" before he can start his treatment. My periodontal appointment is Thursday.

[debinator]

I had to wait about 3 months after "periodontal treatment" (osseous surgery) before getting my braces put on- but it was definitely worth it. Like you I had a fairly large lapse in routine cleanings, and had to pay the price (2 root canals, 2 separate osseous surgeries (different areas) laser treatment, gum graft... you get the picture) and it took some time to get things where they should be but it was worth it (it would have taken less time if I would have had my current dental team (current "team" since November)

DO what they recommend as it will save you trouble later down the road, even if you have to wait a couple extra months.

Good luck!

[Alisonpv]

Well, I need a gingival graft on my bottom 2 incisors, and a frenectomy. No bone surgery thankfully.

He said it was a 20-30 minute procedure, they say it'll take an hour including numbing, and postop instructions.

They had a cancellation for TOMORROW... So I took it. Less time for my anxiety to freak me out. By the time I figure out whats happening, It'll be over! I'm going back to work afterwards, hopefully that isn't a mistake. I'm also doing it under local anesthesia.. also hoping that isn't a mistake.

Maybe I need to start a thread in the "stories" forum.

[Tobilei]

Oh wow, that's quick (but quick is good sometimes, I can empathize with anxiety, I have it and it's terrible when I have to have anything dental done).

Good luck for tomorrow!

[Alisonpv]

Well I just got back to work a little bit ago.. about an hour or so Post-Op.

I knew better but I got behind the pain, I should have stopped for Ibuprofen on the way back to work, but I didn't (knowing I had some in my desk that I forgot to bring)

On the way back from the periodontist the graft site hurt quite a bit, eating and talking are going to be a problem. But it's been about 20 mins since I took my prescribed 800 mg ibuprofen, and it's starting to ease up on the pain. Once I get ahead of the pain, I hope I'll feel better... The donor site (palate) currently isn't hurting too bad, it could be because it's still numb, I can't really tell.

I was given a "stent"... it's sorta like invisaline braces but it covers my palate too... It's sorta nifty, it's supposed to put pressure on the donor site. But it makes my teeth ache, like it doesn't fit 100% right... (maybe this is what braces feels like?)

[Tobilei]

I'm glad it's over with! I hope the pain isn't too bad for too long for you.

And yep, braces do have that tight sort of feeling, like every tooth in your head is under pressure (it's not constant though, usually when you first get them on and for a day or 2 after an adjustment).

[pony3333]

thanks for sharing your experience.

[Alisonpv]

So I wrote this BIG long post for the "stories" forum, of my entire experience involving root canals, scaling and root planing, cavities, the orthodontist consults, the gum surgery.. it took over an hour.. When I went to post it, it vanished

Anyyyway.

Gum Graft Surgery, Day 2.

Day 1 was pretty good! Once I got ahead of the pain, I kept up on my ibuprofen and tylenol every 6 hours. I went back to work right after surgery, worked the rest of the day. After work I had some soft vegan meatballs and a carnation instant breakfast smoothie. We had tickets to a musical! I Didn't want to miss it, so we went. I did just fine, no problems

For sleeping, I took one of the vicodin he prescribed, as well as ibuprofen. I slept like the dead. lol

Today is day 2, doing great.. been rinsing morning and evening with salt water.. rinsing of the stent after I eat.. VERY little pain! I am so surprised!

I am going to try taking the stent off for some periods tomorrow. I don't really want to wear it at work full time next week, we'll see how it goes

[pony3333]

sorry to hear that you lost your long post. good to know you are doing well with gum surgery.

[djspeece]

Congratulations on your progress! Glad that you are having success managing the pain. Best of luck.

[Alisonpv]

Day 3 & 4-

One thing that I have been surprised by, is how TIRED I am... 10 hours sleep each night over the weekend, and I'm still tired.

I have only been wearing the stent while eating. Palate is definitely sensitive, Oddly cold hurts just as much as warm does... It likes body temperature lol.

I flossed for the first time Sunday AM... I was feeling furry, I'm glad I could do it. Friday and Saturday, making the "Flossing face" (you all know what I'm talking about lol) Hurt too much on the stitches.

Sunday AM I woke up a bit sore on the grafting site (Bottom front)... I had slept on my stomach with my chin on my hand... apparently too much pressure.

Ate real food Sunday... sort of... Tuna sandwitch and Soup at Panera.. scooped the tuna off the sandwitch and ate it with a fork, then gently ate the bread lol.

Going well!

Thanks for the wellwishes!