It's coming to an end

Well, after my little bit of bonding on Wednesday, that's it. I'm finally done. I've had my braces off for almost two weeks and I couldn't be happier with the results. For all you fellow bloggers, thank you for always answering my questions and being so supportive. For those of you that have just stumbled upon this blog, I hope you find answers to any questions as well as a positive outlook on this surgery. It has truly changed my life. I no longer have to worry about not showing too much gum in pictures or having my face look twice as long as everyone else. I can smile and feel so much more confident than before. My sister even jokes that we finally look related. The best advice I can give is to find an orthodonist and surgeon that you trust and that communicate well not only with you, but with each other. If you don't feel good about the first surgeon you see, go see another one! I knew after meeting Dr. Q (who was actually and great referral from Dr. Kunik) that he was the right surgeon. I couldn't have asked for a better team. Dr. Kunik and his staff were always so caring and they never had me leave after an adjustment wishing that my braces were tighter. They were able to move my bottom teeth enough that I got out of lower jaw surgery and my teeth were in place for surgery after only nine months. Dr. Q is the best at what he does. We went over the surgery over and over until all my questions were answered. He explained everything to my boyfriend and mom so they felt at ease (or close to it). Every surgery is different, every recovery is different. Mine was easy and not all are, but the results are life changing and worth every penny. If you are worried about the surgery, the recovery, the diet...keep in mind that this is only a flash time of your life and when it's over, you'll be so glad you did it. Plus, smoothies are pretty good and post-surgery weight loss isn't too bad either. So, I hope to stay in touch with all the bloggers. If any of you newbies have questions, please feel free to email or message me on Facebook. Good luck to all of you!

I'm free!

So, I got my braces off on Tuesday morning. It feels great!! I got to throw out all my bands, wax, food picks, super floss, and floss threaders. I have a feeling I'll be finding the bands in random places for awhile. I always seem to have at least a couple floating around somewhere. They are so sweet at Dr. Kunik's office. I was surprised with a cake, flowers, coffee/coffee thermos, and another cool t-shirt. It was like I won the orthodontic lottery or something! From there I went on to Dr. McCarty's office for my gum recontouring. I wasn't expecting to have so many shots in my gums! It took about an hour and made a huge difference. I'll take a close up this weekend when they aren't so red. I still have to go back on the 17th to get a little bonding on one of my front teeth. I also got to see my x-ray today with all my hardware. Here are before and after shots:


BEFORE:















AFTER:














I couldn't believe how much that tooth on the top right of the x-ray came down and how deep the anchor for that implant is!! I'll post more pics after my night out on the town with some friends this weekend.

So close, yet so far

I went in for my last check before de-bracing just to make sure it all looked okay. I had almost convinced myself that he would look and say, yup they are great and take them off. That didn't happen. This will be the longest week ever! Only about six days to go. I also scheduled my gum recontouring for the same day so I'll have big, naked teeth in no time!

I wish you all and your families I happy Thanksgiving. May you all have a safe holiday.

Almost a brace free Turkey Day

I was really hoping that my braces would be off in time to rip through some corn on the cob for Thanksgiving, but its not going to happen. No biggie, there is one tooth that needs to come down just a bit more to close the bite all the way. I did get my permanent retainer put in on the bottom so my teeth are double wired. I've got a new band on the left and hopefully that will do it. I go back in two weeks for a quick check and then I get my braces off on December 2!! Only three weeks to go! At least I'll have them off in time for the office Christmas party.

Other good news

I have finally gotten all my bills straigtened out with the insurance company! I will be getting a reimbursement from Dr. Quaroni's office that will be used to pay the anesthesiologist and the hospital. Dr. Q's office was so quick to issue the payment once we talked it over with one of the ladies at my insurance company. I feel so much better. That is a huge relief!

On a side note: According to my representative at United Healthcare, none of the providers are supposed to collect the deductible or out of pocket maximum prior to submitting their claim to the insurance company if they are "in network". That way, claims get paid as they are submitted and you don't have to worry about getting a reimbursement to pay providers whose claims were processed first. I'm sure all insurance companies are different, but it would be a good question to ask your insurance or human resources contact before you make any kind of payment!

Still getting there...

I was so excited to go to the orthodontist this morning with hopes of making molds for my retainers. However, I was shot down. My midlines are still off so I got a band on the right side this time that I'll wear 24 hrs a day to see if that does the trick. The bottoms are great and the mold was done for permanent retainer. These dang top teeth are just being boogers. So, I go back in three short weeks and will try again. Keep your fingers crossed. If all goes well then, it looks like a brace free Thanksgiving.

Getting there!

I saw Dr. Kunik today. It seems as though that really awesome band that I've had to wear across the front for the last five weeks worked. My midlines are lined up perfectly. So, now I just have to wear it at night to keep things that way. I'll have to go back to wearing it during the day if I notice that its slipping. Other than that, I just have one heavy band on the left side in triangle formation to get my teeth to touch a little more. I go back on October 20. If things look good, then they will take molds for my retainer and I'll get these things off two weeks after that. That would put me right at four months post op. Not too shabby. Just in time for the holiday parties!! So, I'm back to the countdown clock. Tentative de-bracing...t-minus six weeks. Keep your fingers crossed that my teeth comply with that!