Massage therapy and my jawssss

Hey Everyone!!

I just wanted to make an update regarding something pretty cool. I went to get a massage today, and to my surprise, there are massages for the jaw and mouth area. She taught me how to massage the muscles around the TMJ and other areas of the mouth since I've had a lot of tension in there areas which has been causing really bad headaches and pain. I'll explain the exercises in a video when I have time. 

I'm going for an adjustment on wednesday. I'm pretty excited about that! Hoping I can book my surgery!!

Some quick updates since my last video. Me and the bf are good. According to him we never broke up. Anyway we worked out our issues and things have been really good. Tomorrow is our two year anniversary. Hoping for a nice and relaxing day! 

I'll update on thursday once I know whats happening with my braces, and jaws and all that jazz. 

Braces and Jaw Surgery and my life

Not much to say

Hey everyone!

I have been making a lot less videos and blog posts the past while as everything has sort of slowed down. The surgery is still far enough away that I don't really feel like its happening. I have to admit I'm sort of forgetting about it which might not be the best thing when the time comes.

Right now I have two teeth at the front that just touch if I push my bottom jaw to the left and as far back as it will go, its a really gross feeling since my teeth haven't touched in years. Feels like they're going to grind each other down or something. Other than that I don't notice any huge changes in my teeth. My jaw does make a horrible cracking noise every time I yawn. I've been really careful not to open it too wide when taking or eating and it's helped me avoid a lot of headaches.

Classes are over now and I have exams in a couple weeks so I feel nice and relaxed just staying home preparing for those. I have to admit I don't feel like Terra since having the braces on, I feel like i'm stuck in this in between time where I sort of don't try my best to look my best because the braces are always right there. Although I like my face to some extent i'm very excited for this surgery. My nose is very narrow and because my top jaw is further back, whenever I force my lips closed, it pulls the tip of my nose downward. I would loveeee for my nose to turn up a little and maybe even widen out a bit.

I had a dream last night that I was in this hospital that looked really old and I was talking to a surgeon who was going to do my jaw surgery. This surgeon wasn't my actual surgeon Dr C, so it was just weird.

Oh heres some news!! We got another dog!
For those of you who don't know this, I love love dogs. I have a really big heart when it comes to animals, part of the reason for my vegan ways. None of my dogs were purchased in pet stores, they were all in need of homes because other families didn't want them anymore. The new dog is 8 months old and hes a shih tzu X coton, he is very hyper compared to my other two who are 10 years old. His name is Bowser and the woman who had him was going to take him to an animal shelter, and no little dog deserves that.

My other two are Tommy and Pookie. Tommy is a shih tzu, we got him at 7 weeks old when someone we knew bought him as a christmas present for her kids and then they didn't want him anymore after a couple days. Tommy is my baby, he's 10 now and I can't imagine my life without this dog. Pookie came about 4 years ago, and was probably about 6 years old at the time. He has lived with two different families and was sent to a shelter both times. He is a miniature shih tzu and is possibly the cutest dog in the universe. He is a fur ball!!! He has become good friends with Tommy and they play together all the time

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Dear World, I now have a very slight but visible underbite

You just weren't kidding when you said expect changes. I can't even imagine where my teeth will be in another few months, let alone in 8 months when I'll be surgery ready!!!

I've been having a very difficult and challenging month so I haven't been as jaw obsessed as I have become this past year because life is just crazy sometimes. I posted a while ago about how my bite no longer appeared as open in the front as it had when I first got the braces put on and that seems to be because my class III malocclusion is now becoming apparent. When I run my finger across my front teeth I can feel my bottom teeth are much more forward than the top, and with my tongue I can only feel the edge of my top teeth when I close my mouth. I'm starting to look like a witch!

 

Since my bottom jaw is more prominent than my top I notice that the bones of my top jaw are really far back compared to my teeth which have been compensated over the years. This could be why my nose looks so damn big from the side! I just hope that resolves, at least slightly!

We did the warrior dash last weekend, its a 5km obstacle race, with a lot of hills!!! I can run 5km like nothing but running up and down steep hills the whole time was a challenge. I'm going to try to get a decent time in 2 years when I am fully recovered and breathing through my nose like a normal person!

I can't remember if there is anything elseeee hmmmmm
Oh yes!! the horrible archwire!!! so on the bottom left my archwire is sticking out about half a centimetre or more and my cheek keeps latching onto it. It really hurts!!! I still have a month until my next adjustment so if it gets any worse I'm going to call them and ask if I can come in and have it snipped. Also, my bottom tooth that was sideways is almost straight now, it looks so nice lined up with all its friends :)

We have almost made contact?

I'm very confused lol. My decompensating bite has decided to stop opening more and start closing up. My bite opened a lot over the first two months in braces and now it has started to at least appear like its closing. I'm not exactly sure whats going on here. My teeth all look much straighter, I'm really happy with it.

A little update on my wisdom teeth
The holes have started to close very nicely. My right side is hardly a hole anymore and the left side is still noticeable but I'm not really losing food in them anymore which is a relief! I also notice that the jaw bone on the top seems to be receding where I had the top wisdom teeth pulled. All in all I'm starting to think that maybe these changes in my jaw bone from having the teeth out are causing my bite to sit differently. It's not bad though, at least it doesn't look as bad and my chin is less stressed than what it was.

I have a lot of messages I need to respond to regarding jaw surgery but its been a busy few weeks. I have a stats test tomorrow and my last stats assignment due soon on hypotheses testing and estimation. Its also been really nice in Toronto and we've been spending a lot of days driving out to the beach and enjoying the short lived summer we get here.

Tongue thrusting
Its improving, I have taken some tips from some great videos I've watched on Meghans blog and I notice that my tongue is slowly getting stronger and resting more naturally where it should. I also am much more aware of when I start thrusting and I stop myself. I usually notice the pressure I put on my teeth which I used to ignore.

Life with braces
I've gotten a lot of comments on my videos from people who are going to get braces asking what its like having braces in your 20's. At first I didn't really mind them, then I didn't really notice them. Now though, they are that horrible thing you don't notice is there until you want to  bite into a sandwich, or you catch yourself in some reflective object. They aren't horrible, but I don't feel like myself. Besides having a stupid open bite and a class III malocclusion, I've always had people comment on how much they like my smile, it was like that thing I had going for me I guess. I still smile just as much, except now I feel like a 12 year old and I don't get those comments anymore. I think a lot of people are hesitant to ask about braces, only a couple people I know have taken notice of them and asked about it, other than that I think a lot of people wonder but don't ask. I don't really care because I know its temporary and I really want to have jaw surgery so the braces will just have to work themselves into my look for the next year or so. Although I do miss being able to eat in public with no worries.

These are some pictures from Canada day, we went to Cobourg which is about an hour away from Toronto, off of Lake Ontario, they were having lots of Canada Days festivities.

Question about teeth moving before jaw surgery

Hey everyone! I'm a little confused because I have noticed that after my last last visit to the ortho, my bite opened more, and now after this visit I just had, my bite looks more closed. The images from the front make it hard to tell where my jaws are actually sitting, just how open my bite is.

 

First Adjustment

Hey Everyone!

So yesterday I went for my first adjustment. It has been about 10 weeks since my braces were put on. So anyway I went in and an assistant removed my top wire and replaced it with a thicker wire. She changed all my bands which was really nice because they weren't looking oh so clean after 10 weeks.

Two of my teeth are not perfectly in line and the bands alone haven't moved them enough so she decided to tie wire around them to pull them forward in the place of the bands. The wire is really hard to see but I feel the pressure mostly on the bottom tooth.

I asked my orthodontist how long he thinks it will be until I'm surgery ready and he said at this point it looks like 6-8 months. He informed me that at my next appointment we will have a much better idea and I'll have more answers at that point.

My main concern was getting a surgery date that works for me, since my surgeon books pretty far ahead, fortunately my ortho informed me that it won't be a problem, and once he has a good idea as to exactly when I'll be ready he will let me book the surgery, although technically it won't be 6 months yet. I was really happy to hear that. He said he was happy with the progress and next time I'll have a stronger wire put on the top. I don't want to imagine what my last wire before surgery is going to look like, this wire is already pretty thick in comparison to my last wires.

I will probably make a video talking about my wisdom teeth healing and my teeth moving once I actually see them move a little bit more. Keeping my fingers crossed in hopes that I have a lot of progress these next two months so I get the okay to book the surgery. I think that will be the most exciting day I have this year!

At this point my teeth are all very sore and I've been on liquids because chewing is too painful, I really regret not buying ice cream lol. I've been making smoothies so it hasn't been bad, I'm trying really hard not the clench my teeth as I think that causes the most pain. I now run with my tongue in between my top and bottom teeth and I find this makes running much more comfortable. I have a little race/obstacle course coming up in two weeks so I'm hoping my stamina is good. I've also noticed that my diet has been a huge help. I am a vegetarian/vegan for about 8 years now I think and I really realize how important nutrition is now. For anyone undergoing a no chew diet, I can't emphasize enough how amazing vega supplement is, its like those protein powders you get in a tub thing except its all natural and it gives me so much energy. I can tell you, I'm going to be making drinks out of this stuff everyday when I have jaw surgery.

Tongue Thrust Progress!

My jawline with the tongue thrust, it was actually worse before, this is just me trying to show you guys now

To anyone who doesn't know, I've been trying to correct my tongue thrust. It will be a lot easier after I have jaw surgery, but I'm doing what I can, it has made a huge difference in my side profile when looking at my jaw line. The tongue thrust caused the area under my jaw and chin to sort of bulge out.

Also, just wondering if any jaw surgery patients out there are runners? I'm a runner, and I run long distance. I've noticed that now with my jaw worsening its really hard to keep my bottom jaw shut and not vibrating as I run. I guess because my jaws don't fit closed its causing some shock. Its horrible, I'm hoping this will improve post surgery as I would really love to run without my jaw hopping around. I got new runners, haven't tried them out yet but they are soo comfy, and super cute.

Hope all you guys are doing well.

I have an adjustment on Wednesday and I'm hoping I can get an idea of when I'll be surgery ready. Wish me luck everyone! Can't wait to get this done!!

Also, thanks so much to all the wonderful bloggers that have been so helpful and have provided so much information. I love love love it!! I'm going to do a very awful post with my orthodontist pictures of my face, they are horribly ugly and I hope you guys don't have nightmares.

Terra

Favourite Lip Balm

Hey anyone reading this,

So I know how important chap stick and lip balm are for anyone with braces or undergoing jaw surgery. I have become addicted to lip balm. Anyway I got the new MAC liquid lip balm a couple weeks ago, its from their surf line and it is so great! Its a little pricy for lip balm, about the same cost as the lipsticks I think? I have a mac pro card so I got 40% off. Anyway it looks kinda like a lip gloss but feels like a balm, and it has a nice light shimmer. I actually keep it in my pencil case for when I'm studying or I'm at school.

Just a little advice to anyone in uni, summer courses are not worth wasting your summer! What was I thinking. Anyway I'm just finishing midterms which is why I am up at 3am making a post. Other than the mac lip balm, I love the palmers chap stick. It looks like a giant glue stick. the texture is really nice and it lasts forever.
Sorry the images are mirror image, ughh, i don't know how to change this on a mac, anyone know how?

Pictures of my braces

Hey everyone! Just wanted to take some proper picture of my braces for future comparison before I end up getting a stronger wire and my bite ends up changing more. I really always thought I had more of a chin but I guess I really don't. Its amazing what you notice when you realize how abnormal your jaw really is. I also have a permanent pouty lip lol. Fortunately this will all change after the surgery. Just a quick refresher.

• I got my braces about 2 months ago
• I got my wisdom teeth removed about 2 weeks ago (i think)
• I am going to the orthodontist on the 22nd of this month (June)
• I should be surgery ready by December
• I am hoping to have surgery in April 2012

I really wish I could go ahead with surgery in December but I really want my mom to be here and since she lived in Australia she is worried that the weather might be bad here and that she might have a delayed flight or that something might get in the way. This way in April the weather is decent here and we're less likely to have a snowstorm. I don't think I could totally trust anyone else to care for me so its worth the wait.

Every day I get more and more excited for this surgery and to just imagine that next year at this time I will have a whole new bite and jaw!!

There are a couple other surgeries I am considering now that my fear is gone. I have a really hard time breathing properly through my nose and I have also had issues with my tonsils for years and years. My childhood doctor didn't believe in removing them and they sort of never stopped swelling up. I was suppose to have them removed a few years ago as I was constantly waking up in the middle of the night not breathing and just getting throat infections etc. I chickened out! Anyway I'm lucky they haven't gotten worse but I mean they give me trouble so they're not worth having. I also need to have my adenoids removed. I may have a deviated septum as one side of my nose doesn't work at all, so I'm going to wait until this jaw surgery business is over to see of my nose works properly.

I was actually looking into rhinoplasty before I found out I needed jaw surgery and hopefully the surgery will help with my convex nose that is so obvious due to my convex profile. It seems that jaw surgery changes a lot of the facial features so hopefully my nose will fit with my jaw once its all in line. Well thats that and here are some pictures I just took.

My teeth and lips closed from the side

Teeth and lips closed from the other side

This is my lips closed, its very un-natural as you can tell

This is the natural position my lips close in, with my mouth closed

These are my teeth fully closed from the side

Teeth fully close from the other side

This is my teeth fully closed from the front, smiling big lol