WTF IS GOING ON?!?!?

FIRST thing tomorrow morning, I'll be ringing my OS to organise to come and see him straightaway!!! Something is NOT right with the right side of my jaw and I have been experiencing severe pain all weekend in my TMJ area.

I can barely chew properly and I am experiencing scary (bone crunching/sliding sounds in my right ear when I open and close my mouth. Also, when I slightly press my fingers against my face near the jaw joint I hear the horrible noises also!! I don't know what's going on!! But I am in pain and very scared!!

I'll keep you updated when I know more, but hopefully I can get an xray done ASAP.

3 weeks left in BRACES :)

Just a few more before/after shots :) counting down the days till the braces are finally removed in 3 weeks. BRING IT ON... Ohh and I finish my university degree this week... All good things to come

The before shot

After

The before shot

After

Last birthday in Braces.. Day 163

Today I turned 24 and could not be happier with knowing that this will be my last birthday EVER spent in braces! It has been a very hectic few weeks of preparing for my last uni exams and assessments so I have decided to leave all celebrating till when I officially finish on the 23rd November. I did however go out with friends for a lovely dinner and a few birthday drinks.

I had my final review at the orthodontist last week and everything is on track to get them off in 5 weeks!!! :) Once I am brace free I have organised to have a huge celebration dinner with family and friends at 'Jamie's Italian' in Sydney. It is Jamie Oliver's first restaurant here in Australia and only opened last Monday. It has gotten great reviews and the food looks amazing! Can't wait!!!

Looking forward to finally being able to see my teeth free of all wires, surgical posts and brackets..

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!!!