Adjustment number 14!
Okay, I know I'm horribly behind so here is an update!
Last Monday was adjustment number 14. As you can see from the photo below my central incisors are finally completely touching! The power chain helped to some degree but didn't quite close it, so Dr. Waese had to use some elastic string - he said that would be a no-nonsense way of doing it and the space was closed almost as soon as he was finished tying the knot!
He put a bend in the top wire to pull down my left pre-molars and also activated more expansion. I can definitely tell that my top jaw isn't quite wide enough yet because my lower teeth are pressing on my upper canines but it seems to be getting better.
I asked him about mid-lines and he said the expansion in the upper wire should do it, however he gave me an elastic to wear diagonally at nighttime only.
As far as my lowers go, I finally have the extra hooks removed and he was able to make an adjustment but not in such a way that my molars would come closer to touching, I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer for that.
Next appointment, he is going to observe so that he can fashion an upper and lower night guard. Previously he said that he was going to use an FFMP but had moved away from them since the night guards seem to have better results. Lucky for me he said he would charge the same price even though the night guards cost $200 more.
I also saw Dr. Tocchio today, he also noticed that I need more expansion on my left side but said everything else looks good. I will see him again in two months.
Oh, I also went for my first post-op cleaning, I was amazed at how much plaque Cheryl was able to remove. It feels so much better!
I'm still taking it easy as far as chewing. I was able to slowly bite into a bean burrito this weekend, that was a thrill and a half, let me tell you!
That's all for now!
posted by Graham @ 7:47 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Hey Graham I just read your March 25th blog and it sounds like everything is going well! I'm at week #2 Post- Op of my Le Fort 1 surgery. My face looks a little scary to me but I think its just due to all of the swelling. i think my nose hurts the most due to the sweelling. Do you have any tips about how to get the swelling to go down faster other than using ice packs? I have to admit getting through the first three days was the hardest and now its way easier.
Sincerely,
Barb
Glad to hear you're doing well, Graham! Bean burrito, that is impressive and sounds messy and delicious all at once.
Barb - switch to heating packs to help with swelling - ice only works for the first few days post-surgery :)
Yep, heat is the way to go!
Looks like you're coming along wonderfully, Graham! Your teeth look great!
I'm on week 9 since my LeFort & BSSO done Jan. 22. Everything is FINALLY starting to settle down nicely, the infection is cleared up and the numbness is starting to subside!
Eating is still proving to be a challenge though, can't really open my mouth wide enough to bite down on anything, so my food is still being cut up into small pieces.
Looking forward to tackling that steak & corn-on-the-cob sometime this summer (hopefully!)
Is there anyone that had a Lefort 1 midface reconstruction upper jaw surgery that had their splint fastened by by 2-4 screws. Two of the screws are way up underneath the lip at the base of th nose and they are actually screwed into your sinus bone? The only reason I'm asking is because I wanted to know how long did you have your splint in and how much did it hurt when they unscrewed it in order to take out the splint? I think the name of the method they used to put my splint in is called a maxillo mandibular rigid fixation, it's usually called a MMF. I know I'm just probably worrying about nothing, but I believe that "knowledge is power".
Sincerely,
Barb
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