Monday, September 29, 2008

Yay :)

Things are continuing to go well. I went in this morning for the dentist to adjust my denture, it had one spot that pinched when I opened my mouth wide but its 100% comfy now. I am so happy! The metal that was exposed already looks like it is starting to fill in more. That screw that was showing is mysteriously gone and covered now (already, even the doctor was surprised!). I really do think it was that bulky thing I was wearing in my mouth before, it would make my mouth sore and it was so hard to talk with it in, I think it was rubbing away the skin graft from having it in so long, but I had to wear it to keep my lip from falling back in. After that vestibuloplasty I wasnt taking any chances of having it go right back in the way it was before, so it was kind of a lose lose situation there. My doctor seemed very happy to see it is filling in after only a few days of wearing the new denture. So they are going to call me to schedule my appointment to have the teeth attached to the implants, it is an outpatient surgery done there in the clinic so I get to go home right after, there will be some swelling but nothing like before (I dont think, though I am a sweller).

I am just so excited to get so far, after everything I have been through. I am trying to stay positive. I do still have to have a couple of smaller procedures, really just cosmetic stuff, done in the future but right now I am staying focused on getting the teeth permanently attached! There are so many things I am looking forward to being able to eat again, I swear I'll probably gain 100 pounds in the months after this surgery.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Got teeth?

I did, some new bottom ones. :) Right now it's just a temporary denture but they will actually be attached to my implants later on. I think we are aiming for in a couple more months, it feels like they keep telling me 'a couple more months' but I am pretty sure they mean it this time!

I like it. Cosmetically, there are a few things that bug me but I am going to have to get used to it. First, my chin juts out in my profile. BUT it looks ok from the front so I can ignore that. Second, on either side of my mouth its a bit sunken in (because the chin comes out so far). There's not much they can do about that now. Also, its almost impossible to smile, and when I do- the bottom teeth dont show! Argh, after all this time waiting for teeth and they dont even show when I smile! I hate that because the only way I can smile now is with my mouth partially or all the way closed. That is because I lost SO much soft tissue and gum on the bottom that they can only build it up so far, so it is lower than where my normal teeth would come up to (if that makes any sense). It also makes it a little difficult to close my mouth all the way naturally. I am going to mention that to the doctor on Monday when I see him again. He wanted me to wear it for a bit before they made any adjustments to it. I am sad that I have lost my old smile, but will have to get used to this new one.

Pics!

Teeth- excuse the pimple on my chin, I swear I am almost 30!
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One Chris took of me smiling, he thinks I look beautiful:
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And the closest I can get to a smile where my teeth are showing:
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Talk to you all soon!