Braces Update: 1 year down

1 year with In-Ovation C braces

Whoop whoop! It's already been a year? I can't believe it. Actually no, what am I saying? Yes, I can believe it. It's been annoying and uncomfortable and I can't wait to get them taken off. Since my last update 6 months ago, a lot has happened in my mouth. Okay, that sounds weird, but I don't know how else to word it.

April 2012 was a bad month, mouth-wise. My orthodontist informed me that the gums on one of my lower teeth has started receding, the reason being either that I brush too hard, or that the braces have moved my tooth a little forward. She scheduled me for dental skin graft surgery.

On April 14th, I had the surgery. It was horrible. I've literally never been in so much pain in my life. The surgery was long, and although I got local anesthesia, it still hurt. When I walked out of the clinic, my mouth kept filling up with blood every 20 seconds and I had to spit it out. The reason it bled so much, is because they had to cut out some skin out of the roof of my mouth, and transplant it over the exposed tooth.

I couldn't smile, talk or eat properly for about 2 weeks. I also had to visit the clinic every week that month for a checkup. And then, I got the bad news that the surgery wasn't successful. They scheduled me for a second surgery.

On June 8th, I had the second surgery. I was really dreading it, but it turned out to not be as painful as the first time, and it went by faster. I also asked them to give me more anesthesia, which definitely helped. Again, I couldn't eat or talk properly for 2 weeks. And... the surgery was unsuccessful again. I was devastated, as I really don't think I can handle that surgery again. They said that the muscles in my lower jaw are too strong, and keep pulling out the stitches.

I'll have to get the surgery again. Even though the receding gums don't bother me right now, I have to treat it to prevent future periodontal disease.

Also, one of my wisdom teeth has started coming out, and the orthodontist said that they'll need to take it out, but they'll do it after my braces come off. Geez! My poor mouth.

Braces-wise, I've still been going to the orthodontist every 3 to 4 weeks. For the past 3 months, I've had to put an elastic around two of the brackets, to pull one tooth down. Or something like that... The elastic doesn't bother me, I just take it out when eating and put in a new one afterwards.

The good news, is that my orthodontist has started filing my teeth to make sure they're all aligned, which means that she's beginning to do the finishing touches. I haven't asked her yet when my braces will be coming off, but I'm hopeful that it will be soon.

She originally said that my treatment will last for a year to a year and a half, so naturally I'm starting to get really antsy to get them off. I have my next appointment on September 15th, and I think I'm going to ask her when they'll come off. Keep your fingers crossed!