Pics of My Current Underbite

These pictures were taken about 2 weeks ago. It's hard/unnatural for me to close my mouth and I have developed a lisp =/ Can't wait until surgery fixes this...

6th Adjustment

Hello. I just came back from my 6th adjustment, and today did not go as smoothly as other times lol. My ortho decided to take molds of my teeth today to see where my bite stands in prep for surgery - the assistant had a really hard time taking the molds out of my mouth - so uncomfortable. And then she was putting on the new rubbers on my teeth, she broke one of the brackets and it felt like my tooth was going to come out of my mouth - it left so loose. It freaked me out. But the orthodontist said that it was just my tooth beign a bit loose because it wasnt braced now ... whewww! Anyway, they put on a new bracket and all was well - but I was there for almost an hour.

My ortho said i did a really good job with the elastics - she said she was surprised how much my bite changed in just 6 weeks of wearing the elastics. I guess changing them 2-3 times every day really paid off! This time she only gave me 1 elastic band to wear on my right side. When I asked about surgery she said it looks like maybe in 6 months I'll be ready... that disappointed me because I was hoping for January/February =( She told me she will analyze my bite on the molds and see if it could be sooner.

My underbite is really, really, realllly bad right now and I am very anxious for the surgery.

5th Adjustment

Just got back from my 5th adjustment. I got elastics today! I saw people talking about these on the forums and I thought I was one of the lucky few who did not have to wear them.. haha.. yeah ok..

She told me I have to wear them 24/7 (with the exception of eating & brushing) and change them 2+ times each day. On the package it says "medium 1/4". Putting them on and taking them off is pretty easy I have to say but having to change them a few times each day will I'm sure be annoying. Also, I can't really open my mouth wide with them in so I'm trying to keep it closed as much as I can.
Anyway, the orthodontist told me that my underbite will get worse in preparation for the surgery - my underbite looks pretty bad as it is now and it makes me wonder how much worse it can get =/

OS Records & 4th Braces Adjustment

About a week ago I saw my OS to discuss my records, see image predictions etc etc. So basically he told me that I have 2 options - I can get just lower jaw surgery (by bringing it back and rotating) or double jaw surgery (upper forward and lower back and rotated a bit). When I saw the image predictions (which show a side view), I didnt see that much of a difference between the 2. The OS said they can achieve a good bite with both types but that I would have better results with double jaw surgery because suppoesdly my upper jaw is somewhat deficient/retrusive and my face looks rather flat/long. He also told me that I look like I may be ready for surgery by the end of this year which shocked me because my orthodontist told me 8-10 months or so.. So I am still thinking whether I should go for the lower jaw only or double jaw but I think I am leaning towards double jaw because I don't want to regret it later and I'll be going under the knife either way so whats a couple more days of discomfort if the results will be much better - I guess that's the way I look at it now...

Yesterday I had my 4th braces adjustment. The missing molar on the bottom left - she told me that she won't be able to close that space and eventually I will need an implant there - not too happy about that but what can you do... She also said she spoke to the surgeon and told me I will not be ready for surgery by the end of this year.. it will take longer (much to my dismay!). The reason for that is because she wants to close the gap of the tooth they extracted a few months ago (before we knew I'd be having orthognathic surgery) and close another space for a missing tooth I have on top (I know - my mouth is so complicated!). She said that technically I could have the surgery before, and after she can work on closing the spaces even more; but she doesn't recommend that because she thinks they will be able to make better decisions during surgery when my spaces are all closed. Bummer, but if that's what is best then that is what I want.

So now, I'm just going to relax and wait for the orthodontist to give me word of when we're nearing surgery time so OS can get the insurance papers rolling.

Besides that, my teeth are sore today as usual.

3rd Adjustment & OS Consultation

I had my 3rd adjustment yesterday and a consultation with the Oral Surgeon (finally!!!)

The OS was first - it went fine, although they did not get to take x-rays/pics etc because they had an emergency (someone came in with a broken jaw..). So basically the doctor just talked with me in his office for a good 30-45 minutes, explaining all the surgical details, etc etc. It was very thorough and although he kept encouraging me to ask questions I couldn't think of any! I drew a blank or something.. ugh. My ortho told me this is one of the top Oral Surgeons around and he has a ton of experience - he does these types of surgeries all the time - while most other oral surgeons only get to do jaw surgery every once in a while supposedly. So far, from just speaking to him, I like him as a person. He seems nice, funny and knowledgeable. He is also the chief of oral surgery at a top-rated hospital so that is just icing on the cake and makes me feel confidant that I will be in the right hands. I know that it's wise to shop around but I really don't think I'll find a better qualified OS in my area so I'll be sticking with this one. I am supposed to go back this Thursday for the records - pics/x-rays, etc. Oh and he also told me that my insurance will most likely cover the surgery - he said he's pretty sure of it as he is one of the doctors who wrote their provision on oral surgery.

The ortho appointment went good. I told her I saw the OS finally and that I am opting for surgery. So now she changed gears and is going to make my underbite even more prominent! Yay!! LoL... I guess I can deal with that as long as the ultimate outcome is good =) She changed both wires and replaced them with thicker ones and I got a long rubber thing going across all my top teeth - she said it will pull them back. It felt tight.. tightest I've had it so far.

Today, I had to go back to the ortho because one of my bottom ligatures came off and I lost it. No biggie, but it was kinda annoying having to go back in today - her office is not exactly around the corner.

So right now, things are looking good (although I am sore!) and I can't wait to see what the OS tells me after he examines my x-rays and all that stuff.

Back from Europe

I was away visiting family overseas for the past 2 weeks. I left right after my adjustment so my teeth were a bit sore for maybe 2 days but it wasn't too bad. After that it was fine. I ate a lot of chocolate while there and only flossed like every 3rd day or so... I know bad =/

Good news is I got my health insurance card!!! I will be calling the oral surgeon's office today to schedule a consultation - hopefully I don't have to wait long to see him. I am really anxious about what he will say and relieved to finally have health insurance =) !!!

2nd Adjustment

I had my 2nd adjustment yesterday. It was supposed to be May 18th but I had some last minute travel plans so I had to go in early. Anyway, it was very fast yesterday - maybe 5 minutes.. I am so happy she took the stained ligatures off (from smoking) - they looked disgusting. The orthodontist told me I really have to go see the OS for the consult ASAP - she said she needs to start making bite decisions. I am in the process of getting health insurance - hopefully I'll be approved - after that I gotta make an appointment with the OS.

Anyway, my upper right teeth are very sore today.. nothing much going on - going away for 2 weeks yay! That's about it.