Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012!

Happy New Year to you all!



Wow, it has been a REALLY long time since I posted anything - I was preoccupied with showing off my new pearly whites!

Life has been fantastic since I last posted back in March when I officially got my braces off. I have a new dream job and I am happy and healthy - can't ask for anything else.

Update on my teeth/surgery - I have to wear my night "retainer" every night for the rest of my life (as per my Orthodontist's orders). It looks very similar to Invisalign. Sometimes if I don't wear it for a few nights, I can definitely feel that my teeth have shifted a little bit (even though I have upper and lower wires). I have to ensure I keep on track per doctor's orders! As for my numbness that I was always speaking about - I STILL have some. I'd say it's still about 5% numb in my upper left lip and the middle of my lower lip, as well as a bit of a topical numbness in my chin area. I'm OK with this though. If this is the only side effect, then that's pretty great.

How are all of you out there? I hope everyone is enjoying their braces/jaw surgery journey as much as I did. Stay strong and know that it's WORTH IT!!

Best,

Alexis

21 comments:

  1. You look gorgeous!!
    If I recall correctly you went to crescent right?
    I'm seeing my surgeon there in a week to set the surgery date and hopefully surgery after i'm done this term.
    It was great finding your blog at the beginning of my process because it really motivated me to go along with it and not back out.
    I'm so excited to one day have a bite that closes properly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terra,

      Yes it was Dr. Reinish at Crescent Oral Surgery - he was fantastic and I do not regret a moment of it. I hope your appointment went well! Did you set a date?

      Delete
  2. Your teeth look amazing! hats off to your orthodontist!

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  3. Hi, I stumbled upon this blog (which I love btw) as I've been trying to decide what to do about my open bite issues. I have a 4mm open bite and would need a maxillary osteotomy like you. But my main concern is that I've had major jaw pain for 10ish years as I'm 25 now...my open bite has increased 1mm in the past 4 years or so. Insurance won't cover my surgery so that's another factor. But as I've been living with my jaw problems, I get migraines where I can't see/half of my body goes numb when anything is adjusted with my jaw. So going into braces for a year before surgery scares me to death because I can't live with migraines like that so frequently. Did you ever have immense pain like that? Going to the dentist about kills me but I've learned to manage it with doing physical therapy/laser/muscle relaxants etc for a couple days leading up to and right after appointments. I just don't know if that's what I'd have to live with for 2 years constantly? Any advice you can give would be so great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading my blog Erika :)

      Fortunatly, I never had pain caused by my teeth or jaw issues - I went through with braces and the surgery because I wanted to prevent any future issues with them.

      My advice is to talk to your orthodontist/doctor and see if getting jaw surgery and braces will help cure the pain (even if it will increase it during the wait)... it may be worth it in the end.

      I wish I could give you more advice, but I think going to your doctor is the best way to go.

      Good luck with everything and I hope you'll let me know how it goes!

      Delete
  4. Hi I have been following your blogs and congratulations on going through jaw surgery. I was just wondering who your orthodontist and surgeon were as I am in the process of looking for both an orthodontist and a surgeon for my teeth and jaw.
    Please let me know.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jerry! Thanks for reading my blog!

      My orthodontist was Dr. Mark Ziedenberg. His office # is 416-781-1105. My oral surgeon (who was recommended by Dr. Ziedenberg) was Dr. Reinish at Oral Crescent Surgery.

      They are both based in Toronto.

      I hope that helps and good luck with your search!

      Delete
  5. Wow, you truly turned your life full-circle! It's good to see that the decision has so far brought you only positive results. This may help those who plan to undergo the same procedure decide.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading my blog Randy! It was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I'm so thankful that I had the guts to get braces as an adult and go through with the surgery.

      Delete
  6. Hey Alexis,
    I've messaged you before because my surgeon works out of the same place as yours. I see Dr Caminiti. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions since we're from the same place and our surgeons are from the same clinic.
    I've been in braces for 13 months and although my ortho told me i would be surgery ready much sooner, they keep putting it off.
    I'm finally scheduled for October 5th 2012.

    I was wondering, how long before surgery did you see the surgeon for moulds and all of that? I'll be seeing my orthodontist at 3 months pre surgery and he said he might send me back to the surgeon if my bite is where it should be. (long story but they closed my bite instead of opening it).
    Did you find it difficult getting appointments with your surgeon?
    Also, did you find the staff to be rude? It took me 5 phone calls to get an appointment and then I just ended up having my orthodontist call them because they kept hanging up on me or saying they would call me back.
    I just find this process to go a lot slower than they say it will and it's been frustrating.
    Hope you're enjoying your new smile :)

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  7. Hi,

    Your blog was the first I ever read regarding jaw surgery, and helped encourage me to go for it (your results were so great)! I am now 3.5 weeks post op and so far, so good- I don't regret it :-) Just being patient with the healing process at this point. I'm sure soon I will look back years from now, as you have, hopefully with the similar positive results. Thanks for sharing your story!

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  8. It’s nice to know that you did not experience any discomfort or pain while wearing your braces. Finally having a great smile after wearing braces for so long is definitely a great way to welcome the New Year. 2013 is near! I hope it turns out to be a happier year for you than 2012!

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  9. Hi I hope you are still responding to this post. I was just wondering who your denyist is and would it possible to put up some profile pictures of your teeth. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  10. If you still read this blog, I was wondering if you have the surgeons lateral X-rays, and official before/after photos?

    ReplyDelete
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