A bit more detail on orthodontic pre-op appointment.

My last post on this topic was really brief, mostly because I was frustrated with how the appointment turned out, and then because my schedule was really busy.

So, I had my last appointment with my ortho last Wednesday.  The appointment was four and a half hours long.  The first part of the appointment was a hinge axis tracing.  To do this, they create a plaster (!) mold that cements in your mouth (they took my wires out to do this); for me, it was only on the lower.  Then, they use a type of face bow attachment that has a little stylus on it.  The face bow attaches to the mold.  When you move your jaw in different directions (forward, left and right) the stylus make markings on little sheets of graph paper also attached to the face bow that are supposed to indicate how the TMJs move upon excursion.  Somehow, the whole contraptions puts your TMJs in their ideal position so they can see where the joint should sit should you have the proper bite (I think--but I'm not entirely sure...).  Once the tracings were made, they made little marks on my face, right by my ears, that are actually little tattoos that indicate where my TMJs are.  This is supposed to help the surgeon make sure that my condyles are in their proper spot when he corrects my bite.

The procedure itself was not so bad.  The worst part was getting the plaster out of my mouth.  This was actual plaster, not the regular impression goo.  Not sure why it had to be plaster, but it was as hard as a rock and literally had to be chiseled out of my mouth.  I lost two brackets in the process, so those were replaced too.  This whole process took about two hours.

Next, I had impressions.  Usually, impressions have not been bad for me, but this time was a huge exception.  It took the assistant four tries before she got a decent lower (and she needed two total--so that was six lower impressions taken...).  They just keep sticking to the braces and ripping apart.  Finally, she applied wax over all the brackets, and that seemed to work.

The upper impressions did not get torn, so only two had to be done.  But they were painful!  On my left side, everything is very inflamed as it is.  I think there is a nerve that runs back there that is very sensitive. The plate she used for the impressions pressed right on it, and it hurt, a lot.  But, it was only for about five or so minutes each impression, so I sucked it up and didn't say anything.

Well, as soon as I left the office, I knew something was wrong.  My cheek felt numb, and it felt constantly like a string was being pulled through the inside (does that make sense?) only there was nothing touching my check.  I had the craziest numb feeling when brushing my teeth.  Now, over a week later, I still have numbness and I have had significant pain, almost the worst it has ever been.  The left side of my face is visibly swollen.  So this has me a bit worried.  If have this severe numbness and pain from an impression, what will it be like after surgery?

Anyway, after the assistant finished the impressions, my OD came over and took wax bites.  After he was done, I had new x-rays (a lateral ceph) and photos.  My ceph has changed quite a bit.  You can really see how my bite has opened up and how asymmetrical it is.

The weird thing is, I didn't get surgical hooks put on.  I asked the assistant, "When do I get my surgical hooks?"  And I got some weird looks, and she asked the OD, and he said I already had them!  Well, I suppose he would know, but I have the same hooks I've always had that are just part of some of the brackets.  I have no hooks in front at all.  I didn't want to say, "Well, in every blog I've read, they got hooks put on!"  So, I am wondering if this is common?  I was looking forward to that milestone!  It's exciting when someone gets their hooks and is ready for surgery.

Well, here I am, less than a month from surgery.  Can't believe it's almost here!  I will update later with pics of my bite!