4 months video update

Thought it was time for another video update..

Day 127

Some recent profile photos.. I am still seeing slight changes but nothing major anymore. My bite is improving even more with my new elastic configuration. I only wear them at night now, but they seem to be really doing their job. I still struggle somewhat with my new appearance. At times I love it and at others times not so much... I REALLY WANT these BRACES OFF NOW! but I must wait till 12th December! Hoping the time goes super quick...

1 year in -{}-{}-{}-{}-{}-{}-{}-BRACES-{}-{}-{}-{}-{}-{}-

It has officially been ONE YEAR IN BRACES!!!! Wow I really can't believe it!!

I went to the Ortho yesterday and was given the official date for when my braces come off. DECEMBER 12th is the BIG DAY!!! My Ortho is really happy with how my teeth and bite are coming alone and took some update photos. He gave me a new and very INTENSE elastic configuration. I wear three band, 2 ostriches and 1 camel. The elastics are tight but thankfully I only have to wear them at night when I sleep:) yay.. not more uncomfortable elastics during the day.

I'm really happy to have this new configuration because it will help close the slight occlusion I have on the sides and bring my back molars closer together. I have 3 months in these elastics, so hopefully they do there job :) Can't wait to get them off, the count down is on!!

My teeth one year ago, September 2010

My teeth now, September 2011

They are so straight! Love it..

Crazy hectic elastic configuration to close the slight occlusion :)

Day 101

Yesterday was 100 days since SURGERY!! Time has been moving along super fast, believe it or not but it's only 16 weeks till CHRISTMAS!!! How crazy is that?!?!

Spring has just arrived here is Australia and I couldn't be more happy.. It really is my favorite time of the year!! I am counting down the weeks till my graduation from uni and of course getting my braces off. It really is an exciting time.. come November, there will plenty to celebrate, including my 24th Birthday!!!

My swelling is pretty much non existent now, there is just small area's of swelling around my lips and chin. Numbness, however is definitely still hanging around.. It dosen't really bother me all that much, but occasionally I REALLY notice it, especially the areas in the inside my lips and cheeks. My poor bottom lip is still not back to normal either, it actually hurts when I pinch and press it with my finger tips. Anyone else experiencing that??

One nice thing I noticed recently was that my cheek bone lines have finally returned. (the area you apply blush!) I definitely have a lot more definition in my cheeks since surgery. A lady from work was commenting on my new profile and was amazed at the difference in my cheeks. She reckons it almost looks like I've had a face lift or botox fillers in my cheeks because they sit higher up now. hahaha I had to laugh and reassured her that I have not had any botox!!! It's just a little added bonus from having jaw surgery! LOL

I am pleased with the results thus far, I'm not going to lie and say it has been easy and that I've had a perfect outcome. I still feel as though my smile is slightly cant (tilts up more on one side with slightly more gum showing) This was evident before surgery, and the surgery has not improved it. However, looking at the creases and facial lines that form on my face when I smile, I actually think it's more to do with the muscles in my cheeks causing the slight slant. It's as if the soft tissue and muscles in the right side of my face don't lift as high up as the other side (hence the more evident smile lines on the left) Does that make sence?? Maybe the slant actually has nothing to do with my jaw position and arch plane.? anyways I guess it's only really noticeable if you closely analyze my face, but generally I am happy with my new smile :)

Before...

After..

top and bottom mid lines dead on.. Love it

I still cannot believe the difference in my bite. At the front, there is NO open cap at all. Before surgery my overjet was around 5cm, now my teeth overlap perfectly, with no overjet or open bite!!!

Here is the before and after profile shot again! Stoked with my new profile. So much better!!!

Day 93

Hey guys, just a quick photo update.. Hope you all doing well.. I am 13 weeks post op :)

WTF????

WOW CHECK THIS OUT!!! Anyone keen to add some extra bling to their mouth??? haha CRAZY!!!

Would you even be able to seem them when smiling? The things people do... :(

Day 76

Tomorrow marks 11 Weeks since surgery!!! Wow It really has flown by, but so glad to be at this point. I am so busy with the start of Uni semester and my internship, but loving every minute of it because I know I'm on the home stretch with finally finishing my degree. Can't wait to start earning proper money and working in the real work, with my brand new bite and smile!!

My Ortho has said that he will take my braces off as an early christmas present, so hopefully I will be brace free around end of November, beginning of December. YAY :)

I'm getting tired of constantly having to wear 3 elastics, and I'm finding it really hard to wear them all day, especially when I have been having work interviews and meeting new people during my internship. Unfortunately I have been taking them out for a good part of the day, as I just don't feel comfortable talking with them in... I also think they look a tad unprofessional when working in such a professional environment. Wearing the braces is bad enough :(

I can't really notice the last remaining swelling in my face, I know there is some still there, but it's really not that big of a problem. The only things bugging me at the moment are the numb areas in my bottom lip and chin. I am always paranoid when eating or drinking because I feel as those I will constantly have crumbs or drips of water on my chin that I wont notice because I can't feel it there. I eat really carefully and wipe my chin after every meal, to avoid this happening as much as possible.I can't wait till all the feeling finally comes back.

Beside that, I'm eating basically anything now, except really tuff things like steak, nuts and biscuits. It's so great to finally enjoy food and not have to be restricted to soft foods only. My TMJ pain has finally settled down, it so much better then it was a month ago. I still sometimes wake up with aching jaws, but nothing like it was previously and the headaches have gone which I am really happy about.

My tongue thrusting therapy has been going well. I have noticed that my tongue tends to sit more comfortable at the roof of my mouth now and does not push against my teeth as much. The myofunctional exercises have really been helping. Still a work in progress though..

Big shout out to everyone who has or is having their jaw surgery soon.. All the best with your recovery. I am trying to keep up with all the blog posts but it's getting hard to find time to comment on them all. Just KNOW that I am thinking of you all and hoping for a safe and quick recovery.. Stay positive :-)

xxx