HeyBuckey!'s Story

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:41 am

Ola ladies and gents!

P.S. - PrettyWoman of course I remember you!!!

Well guys first I want to say YESSSSSSS!!! Camel Cowboy the good ol' smoking Ortho that normally worked on my teeth isn't the only Ortho in that office anymore! Woo hoo!!! There's a new guy and I don't have to try to take time off work to switch offices anymore!!! Not only that, he is very detailed. I love it when they talk orthodontic terms to me about my overjet :lol:

. However, there was a catch with the new Dr.

He...Dropped the S bomb on me. :shock:

Yes. We talked about jaw surgery yesterday. Now I'm torn. Extractions or jaw surgery. After looking at my condition, considering my frequent headaches, this crunching noise my jaw seems to make now, my receding chin, and the possibility of me having to get the surgery in the future including having to re-open where my extractions where (or are gonna be) to make room for implants. I guess 1-4 weeks off of work doesn't sound that bad after all.

If anyone has any suggestions for my surgery/extraction ordeal please, please, PLEASE! Let me know.

The Ortho said the outcome for both would be good but the tech said she had an overjet, (and it was from sucking her thumb until she was 16! Score!) had teeth removed and still has a minor overjet. Are the extractions really still worth it? I have no clue anymore!

Anywho.

I've resulted to eating popcorn. I was happy about it too!

I can't stand how all kinds of foods are brought in during the holiday season because I always want to eat it! Especially if it has a really high sugar content. Just like that Carmel Popcorn I ate.

I'm a very bold and daring person

.

I'll post pics later on tonight if I have enough oil in my engine

.

Ciao for now!!!

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:49 am

After viewing one of my favorite AW members thread (PrettyWoman) I remember one thing that I didn't mention! At my next appointment, They'll be fixing my smile so my upper incisors match up! Alright!!!!!! NO More longer incisor!

It's too bad I have to wait until January 21st to get it fixed though

.

opera^gal · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:32 pm

Glad to have you back on the board, post-holiday-school stuff.
Re: surgery -vs- extraction..I've had neither, but my advice would be to first consider the function of your jaws/bite. If the best solution to those issues is surgery, go for it and be done with it. The next consideration is aesthetics. If you don't mind a slight overjet, and the doc things the jaw issues will resolve with your complete orthodontic treatment plan, then perhaps extractions are enough. You could go with the extractions first, and see how you progress method. Confusing, I know. If you trust this new doc, I'd question him more about your treatment and what he believes he can accomplish with all the options, maybe during an out-of-the-chair-fingers-out-of-your-mouth moment.
Let us know what you decide! 2010 will see LOTS of changes for all of us AW folks, to be sure!

PrettyWoman · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:52 pm

Hi Buckey

It's soooo nice to open AW and see your posts

I'm also very proud of your academic achievements and I'm sure you'll do at least that well next semester. My admiration is even greater because you also work and I don't know where you find the time, will power and stamina to study in your free time. Well, I guess college is a little like braces: you suffer for a while, but the results last a lifetime and are totally worth it :wink:

I know exactly what you mean when you talk about being too tired to type... it takes A LOT of effort

And then you have to think about what you want to say, which is even harder... There are days when I can just stare at the screen, but after a while the urge to share my thoughts with the world comes back LOL

Gald to hear your Hanukkah celebrations went well (btw: sorry about the Xmas assumption!!!) and there was a lot of food. This is the time of the year when many people can't even look at food anymore (myself included :wink:

)

I read your post about the new ortho and his suggestion for surgery vs. extractions and this is a serious dilemma!! I'm not qualified to give you any meaningful advice, but you may want to consider another "second opinion". If I were presented with such choice, I would definitely ask at least one more ortho. Surgery is a serious thing, but so are the extractions. This is a tough choice - maybe once you post some recent pics, other fellow Metal Mouthers will provide more input.

The nitrogen gas was definitely a fun experience :wink:

I wonder if they sell it at a pharmacy? :lol:

There are days when I could use some, I would finally tell everyone exactly what's on my mind without worrying about the consequences

The effect was not like ADHA, I didn't want to move, just the babbling... If you end up getting extractions, please give it a try - I would love to read about your experience

On the eating front, I can only try to imagine how skilled you are to be eating eggrolls :wink:

But popcorn - that's different! I must admit, I've had popcorn at least 5 times in the last several weeks and really enjoyed it

Please, anyone reading this, don't mention it to my ortho :wink:

In my defence I can say that I brushed my teeth thoroughly and then followed up with WaterPik. And of course I chewed very carefully, so my braces did not sustain any damage. I also ate hazelnuts, almonds and cashews, just couldn't resist... Still that's nothing compared to eggrolls

When I read your post about the Camel Cowboy, I was laughing so hard I almost fell off my chair :lol:

Where do you get these ideas? I want some please

And I remember Seniorita Man Hands (SMH) from one of your older posts - when I went for my last adjustment and the assistant was opening my brackets, I kept wondering if she and SMH could possibly be twin sisters :lol:

Maybe she started reading my mind, because after a rough start she finished off gently. I was even considering asking her to give me that tool and a mirror and I would open my own brackets and take out my archwires - do you think she would let me :?:

It's very exciting about your incisors!!! I can imagine they are bothering you, although I must admit they look pretty good to me

But if there is one thing I learned from having braces it's the fact that only the perfect teeth are good enough now

Where I would have settled before, I will demand perfection now. And even if nobody else sees what I see, I know it's there and I want it fixed NOW :!:

Too bad you have to wait almost a month, but on the other hand, in less than 4 weeks your incisors will be picture perfect

That's a very good thing.

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:42 am

Hey, hey Opera^gal

Thanks for those suggestions! I have a pretty vicious overbite (overjet) and a weak chin. My biggest worry is I may have developed a case of TMJ. I called my Ortho's office yesterday to see if they know anything about the condition but of course I was told to get in contact with my dentist to get a definite diagnosis. I think I'm just suffering from a case of paranoia

. But I think I'll go ahead and get in contact with my dentist office to schedule the extractions but ask them if they could check me for TMJ and if I do have it, see how severe it is and if the braces and extractions alone will solve my jaw trouble. I do have to say, it would be nice if I had a chin

. But that's more of a vanity issue.

Anywho, it would be alot easier to talk to the Doc sitting upright with his fingers out of my mouth. Literally. That's another great option too!

Hello PrettyWoman!

Lucky me, I have a lighter load next semester! I'm ECSTATIC about it! LOL!!! We both have a thing about staring at the computer screen

.

No worries! You had the best of intentions! Around this time I know I can always find something good to eat no matter what! And boy do I!

Your input helps out alot! When I was searching around for Orthodontist's, the first one I ran into mentioned jaw surgery. I thought "HECK NO! You people are crazy! Just give me the friggin extractions!" But now after being paranoid about if my jaw is the cause of my headaches and now the crunching, I'm starting to wonder if that might be a better idea than I thought. But you're right! I should get one more consult to see. The hospital I work at has an orthodontic department and a department that does orthognathic surgery. I think I'd be in good hands here. Of course I didn't get around to the pics last night. Hopefully today, wish me luck!

LOL!!! I had to laugh at the nitrogen gas comment! I just might be able to use some of that too! But then, I might not have job :lol:

. Patient phone calls can be brutal sometimes

. Anywho, I was thinking it might have an adverse effect on me

. I have a very vivid imagination sometimes...If I get those extractions instead of surgery, I will most certainly get the gas. Just for you

. If only they did sell that stuff in pharmacy's. Nitrogen over Starbucks. It might become a new trend.

Yeah, I hope no one tells my ortho either! He must not know!!! Your secret is safe with me PrettyWoman. I gave in when a friend of mine asked why I couldn't eat popcorn and mentioned she ate popcorn when she had braces. I like you was very careful making sure that I didn't bite into a hull and that none of the kernels get stuck in my gums. You're right. Popcorn IS MUCH easier to eat than an eggroll.

I had to name that Ortho something

. He always had on jeans and a flannel shirt with his z-coil shoes :lol:

(no offense to those with orthopedic shoes), and he smoked. With those facts in mind I had no other choice :lol:

. I saw Senorita Man Hands at my appointment. I sat in my chair and prayed she didn't get anywhere near my mouth.

There's a little SMH in all of us :lol:

. I hope your mouth doesn't hurt too bad from the torture. Did you want her to stop to ask her if she was having a good day? If so, you know exactly who you've dealt with. You know, if she was having a bad day, she just might let you do your own adjustment. Now that...would be a story to tell

.

This long tooth is bugging the heck out of me! I didn't want to wait 6 more months for it to join the rest or the rest to join it so my mouth can look semi-normal again. I have to definitely take pictures to show off the "long tooth". I'm a perfectionist type freak myself. Ever since this metal came on I can't help but look in my mouth. Now since jaw surgery was mentioned I can't help but look at my chin! I've got some real issues.

RECAP: Have a sitdown with current ortho, go to dentist, check out other orthodontists.

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:04 pm

Well after a crazy week, here are my pics from my adjustment.

Do you see that long left (your right) incisor? Yikes! I've gotta get that fixed!

Good ol' bite pic. It's rounder, but sticks out a whole lot more. If I didn't smile so much I don't think I'd know what to do seeing I can barely keep my lips over my teeth

.

Right side. Yikes...again

From the left. Check out my little chin. That is one thing I'd like to enhance and the reason why I thought about surgery. As I'm trying to be rational I noticed, I should just get the friggin extractions. If I have to get surgery at a later date...oh well!

I really don't have an oh well attitude about my mouth. I do gotta choose something soon though!

Hope you all enjoyed!

PS - I had really bad lighting in some of those pics! Please forgive!

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:28 pm

Well everyone,

I still haven't scheduled an appointment for the extractions. Why? Well...I think I'm just plain old lazy! Not to mention, I've been trying to put all of my mentals together to make a whole Web Designer. I was given an offer to do logos for someone (it's a side job of course) and I worked on a logo for my crafty mother. That is what I've been doing. And seeing and visiting with my family, SHOPPING, trying to sleeping

, watching some pups, working, cleaning, brushing, forgeting to flossing

. I gotta find a smiley with brown teeth to represent my oral state of being.

If I eventually put my mentals together I might even make two people, let alone just ONE Web Designer.

I have officially made my decision to pull these harmless bicuspids. Poor things

. I'm gonna miss them and having a filled spot in my mouth for a while :cry:

. Bloody open holes...HERE I COME.

Maybe I can keep my bicuspids as a souvenir....NOT!!! Besides I don't think they let you do that

even though they're your own teeth. It's a shame no one believes in the tooth fairy anymore. I couldn't imagine some floating thing trying to grab a hunk of bone from beneath my pillow anyway. Let's face it, I'm not the best sleeper and I'm even worse if I'm waken up out of my sleep...Tooth fairy...If your out there...Don't think about coming to my house. I would be surprised if you were able to leave something under my pillow, but you'll be even more surprised if you accidentally catch a fist in the eye.

Anywho, I'm not feeling that well and I'm a little on the delirious side. I actually fell asleep at work while speaking to one of the patients! She was talking about billing and all I remember is hearing her shout "IS ANYONE THERE?" Boy was I surprised. Of course I had to play it off like I had been listening instead of drooling the whole time :lol:

. I caught the most pertinent part of the conversation at least. I felt horrible for doing it but when you are under the weather it doesn't matter. Maybe she would feel sorry for me if she knew I had braces

.

It's not cool sleeping when your under the weather with braces either. I can't breath out of my nose and am relying on my mouth to keep air in my lungs. My mouth feels like it's stuck in that position when I wake up and my brackets are usually digging into my lips. Yeah...No fun at all. That's only part of my worries and I'll spare you all the details.

Welp! I gotta go brush and get to bed so I can get at least two hours of sleep tonight. Wish me luck!

PrincessPeach · **Posted:** Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:06 pm

They let me keep my teeth when i had them out, i keep them in a little jar in my bedroom as i reminder

alibracket · **Posted:** Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:20 pm

Hey you.
Congrats on making a decision. Less to obsess about.

I think they let you keep your teeth. My girlfriend still has teeth that she had pulled. Theyre in a ring box somewhere in this apartment.

Otherwise your teeth are looking great. Ihave started occasionally using peroxide as part of my cleaning regiment. It seems to have actually helped clean my power chain(the same one i have had on since OCTOBER!)

But glad to see you back and shaking. Cant wait for more progress.

Bekah · **Posted:** Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:31 pm

I had extractions and have been really happy with them. I am sure that you feel better having made that decision!!!

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:18 pm

Good afternoon Kids!

Thank you all for patiently dealing with me even in states of delirium if you must

.

PrincessPeach - Oooooh! Really? I may have to jump at that idea! I do like to remember my crooked grin smile

. Not to mention I ran across some pics of me when I was 16...hmmm...Cute smile indeed, but I still wish I had got braces a little sooner than 7 years later. You and Alibracket are giving me ideas of where to store my lovely bicuspids when I finally get them out. It will help with those rainy days when I'll feel like my teeth aren't moving anywhere

.

Alibracket - Hey how's it goin?

If you ever decide to propose to your girlfriend...Please, please, PLEASE!!! Make sure you grab the right box :lol:

Don't you just love Peroxide? It helped turned my once blue turned green ligs back to a shade of blue green. When people looked at my teeth they thought my ligs were blue so I must've done something right

.

We've got to do something about your Ortho...OCTOBER! Geez! Maybe he gives you a ridiculously strong wire so it'll last a little longer. There should be a rule against that. Really.

I do have an adjustment tomorrow (not trying to rub it in your face or anything

). Hopefully Camel Cowboy will continue to remain MIA because they are going to pop a few brackets off tomorrow to re-align my smile. I will definitely post pics even if it turns out to be 2 weeks after the appointment

. I'm a lazy online book reading weirdo at work...

Bekah - I appreciate the info! I think I will be really happy with my extractions when I get them. I'm still kind of waivering to the surgery side because low and behold! On my right side where my jaw and face meet I've been having some strange disturbance. The skin is tight and it aches...Hmmm...That isn't normal but I think my body is trying to trick itself into believing it needs the surgery

I'll more than likely get the extractions but I'll let you all know how tomorrow's appointment goes!!!

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:40 pm

AND NOW! For the moment you've all been waiting for!

Adjustment pics

. These deserve some comparisons. Here we go!

Check out the new smile! I'm proudly wearing pearlized blue ligs. Hopefully they won't turn green

. I got that fixture on my upper left incisor! YESSSS!!!!

Right side.

Left side.

My favorite and yours too

. THE BITE PIC!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm.....I didn't realize how much things could change in 4 months. Things are looking good ladies and gents. In my eyes anyway

. Sorry for the picture size dilemma. I guess I still dont have it figured out

.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!

againbrace · **Posted:** Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:23 am

HeyBuckey,

Good comparison pix! Looks like you've had some good progress already. Thanks for posting them. They will be good to look at when you're clost to homebase and see how far you have come.

Tell those toofers to keep it up! :lol:

Later! Ken.

Emms · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:20 am

Wow HeyBuckey, your pics are great, the differences in 4 months is unreal. Your upper arch is looking really good, you must be happy

HeyBuckey! · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:43 pm

Thank you all for the comments!

Againbrace

Thanks a bunch! I was shocked when I saw how far my teeth have come in such a short period of time. I couldn't be happier with what I'm seeing. I think I'm gonna do a comparison every four months just for the heck of it!

Emms

Thank you very much too! I'm am very pleased with it and as of today, I do NOT regret getting braces.

As a side note, I've got an official day for my extractions. Hold on to your seats...Thursday, February 4th, 2010 is the day 5pm MST is the hour. I'll be showing up early because I'll go directly from work. I'm extremely excited and nervous all at once. I told them to drug me up but they'll only numb my mouth really good

. I was looking forward to that gas too!

Oh well!!! Shoot! I guess as long as I don't feel it like they say, I'll be just fine. Thank you all for your support up to this very moment.

Happy teeth movement!

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