Not the best sign.
I was supposed to get my braces on this past Tuesday, however, the ever persistent virus that has been floating around got in the way. At first, I believed I'd simply worn out my voice screaming my head off like a ten-year-old girl at the New Kids on the Block concert (swoon) on Friday, but by Sunday I began to suspect something was amiss.
My throat was still sore. Monday was no better. I called Doctor L.'s office and asked what they felt would be the best thing for me to do. See, it was less than 24 hours before my appointment...and anyone who has been to the doctor knows that that means. I held out on calling because I wanted to gauge my state of health a little while longer. Bad idea.
To my immense relief, the woman J. felt for my situation and agreed not to charge me and we rescheduled for the following week. So, now I will be getting my braces put back on NEXT Tuesday. What fun!
Now, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, let me fill you in...just a bit.
Around six years ago, give or take, I went to the orthodontist for the first time. He evaluated me for braces and then sat me down in his office. During the evaluation he noticed some clicking and popping in my jaw. I explained that I'd had this problem since I was about thirteen years old. He then explained that had I gotten braces as a child they may have been able to prevent this, but now since I am an adult the only way to correct it would be to have surgery.
"On what?" I asked.
"You're lower jaw is too short and it is causing the joint stress," he informed.
"How nice."
Well, it turns out, he was right. He showed me my profile shot the Orthodontic Assistant (O.A.) had taken earlier. Sure enough, my chin looked weak. Short. Feeble. He showed me pictures of other patients he had in the past with the same problem and also the pictures post-surgery. The difference was amazing. This was his first warning.
"Now, I do have to tell you...having the surgery can change the way you look significantly and sometimes that is hard to adjust to."
His second warning was that if I delayed the surgery, the problem could get worse over the years. He said it could be five years down the road, or ten...maybe twenty. But, the point was that if I didn't have the surgery, I could end up with severe headaches and arthritis in my joints.
It only took two years.
At that time, I declined getting braces all together. I just couldn't afford it. But, two years later, I was experiencing exactly what the doctor had said I would. I went back to Doctor L. I still wasn't sure about the surgery, and he informed me that the braces alone might help. So, we went for it. Three years after getting my braces off, my jaw still is a constant source of pain and discomfort.
It was time... I couldn't avoid it any longer. My head was killing me, and I know it sounds odd, but I went to see my Dentist about it. Doctor M. did his exam and felt all the cracking and popping and gave me two options and a bottle of IBprofen. Option one was a mouth guard because on top of everything else, I apparently grind my teeth in my sleep. I said no. I didn't think that would help. The next option was to go see an oral surgeon. He gave me the referral.
Doctor A. was a nice old man who looked at my Xrays and then at my face and said, yep, surgery is definitely what you need. The Temporomandibular disorder (TMD not TMJ) had gotten worse and caused arthritis in the joint. It was starting to deteriorate. YIKES! To ice the cake, Doctor A. says, "You're already an attractive girl, but this surgery will make you even more attractive."
Uh...thanks?
Thus was born my new self-conscious regard for my profile. I'd never really noticed it before, but after all three of these doctors pointed it out to me it was suddenly blindingly obvious. To this day, I still cannot stand to look at a picture of me from the side. I absolutely HATE my profile.
I digress.
Anyway, this began a new process regarding insurance. I could never EVER afford this surgery on my own. At the time I began this journey I was working for a company who had CRAP insurance and it was still going to cost me about $3,000 out of pocket. Not bad, considering. The insurance lady at Doctor A's office was amazing. At first my insurance company declined the surgery. But, L. worked her magic and found a loop hole. According the state law (Florida) it is illegal for an insurance company who isn't self-funded to exclude anything that has to due with the bone or skeletal system. Alas, I was saved. They even agreed to consider it in Network because my doctor was the only one with in a reasonable distance who could perform the surgery. So, now all I had to do was find the money.
But, to my good fortune, I was laid off from that job before I could get the surgery. Good fortune, you say? Yes. As it turned out. Being laid off was the best thing for me...with regards to the surgery anyway. I went back to work at the City and even though I took a pay cut, the insurance was better and my surgery is now covered almost 100%.
Can't beat that!
So...a long story short...that is how we've arrived at today.
As you can see, the swelling has gone down considerably. But, my right cheek is still a little puffy. Hardly noticeable, unless you're me. Things are coming along nicely, though. I go to see Dr. A on Tuesday and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he tells me I can start only wearing my rubber bands at night. That will be a HUGE relief because not only does it mean that my teeth won't be clamped together anymore causing me indescribable amounts of discomfort and aggravation, but also that I might just be able to start eating soft foods. A small progression towards being able to eat normal food again....just in time for my trip to Las Vegas for my best friend, Sonja's wedding.
