corynnehunzyker
Platinum Member
really excellent written your thoughts and feelings
The way towards an unexpected adult treatment
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- Start date
10th Chapter: It's really happening!
Well, after a few days I didn't really think much about these spacers anymore, the two weeks went pretty uneventful, not to say almost boring.
But there was this mix of excitement and fear of the actual installation date, raising with every day that went past.
And there it was, THE DAY!
To be honest, telling you I was nervous would be an complete understatement. The appointment was scheduled for 11 a.m. I was up at 6, brushing the teeth for the first time. And looking back, I can't really tell what I've done else until that time. And i was in the city almost an hour early, so I decided to have a coffee and a "last" cookie at a bakery nearby.
I entered the office 15 minutes early and brushed my teeth again, probably for the 3rd or 4th time that day. I was given a bunch of informational and mandatory sheets to read and sign while I already took place on the chair.
Honestly, I signed those sheets, but please don't ask what was on them in detail. My mind was completley focused on the tray next to me. There was already that mold of my teeth with the Beneslider. And it looked huge and intimidating.
I had to wait almost 20 minutes, always again staring to the left until my neck began to hurt slightly. Holy shit, it's getting real and it looks much more then ever expected.
But now it started. Local anesthesia goes in, at first on the surface, then the deep one. It wasn't the most fun experience but not bad or painful at all, just a really disgusting taste and a strange feeling with some tickling in the nose.
Okay, breath deep. First step is done and it wasn't horrible at all. Then it's time for the miniscrews (which aren't really that mini if you ask me). The appliance came with a positioning device. And pretty fast the ortho started with the first screw.
Wow! It really doesn't hurt or anything, but i never imagined he would need to use that much force of push and torque to get that in. Without a long break he inserts the second screw and takes the positioning device out.
This was pretty fast and some of my inner tension released slowly.
At that moment I really had to explore these screws with my tounge. To be honest, just these screws - or their head that was sticking out- didn't feel like much, but at that time my head went crazy again.
The assistant started to take out the spacers and clean the two molars with some detailed perfection. And then the cheek-retractor and tounge-blocker goes in. What a shame, I would have liked to feel things right away. On the other hand, the excitement skyrocketed pretty fast.
The appliance was put in, readjusted ect. for two or three times when the ortho finally said that the assistant may prepare the bands with the cement. I think (and hope) that i stayed calm on the outside, but my inside really was a mess at this point.
After it was glued in and secured at the mini-pins the cheek-retractor came out and I closed my mouth.
Holy shit. That thing is huge! At that moment there was no excitement or joy left. Just the realization that this will take some time to get adjusted to it. And that life will probably change in some aspects right now.
Saliva is pooling really quick and while I get the instructions for the care and important things to look for, the first attempt in swallowing results in a slurp. Well, that's embarrasing but at least a little funny as well.
But before I even had really processed this, the next challenge was waiting. Scheduling the next appointment in 8 weeks.
I really struggeld as I didn't expect that lisp and muffeld speech to be that bad. But the assistant obviously could handle it well and encouraged me, that this will last only a few weeks at longest.
I left the office with a "shank you". There i am, drooling and lisping. With an appliance fitted to my pallete, in real life. That won't come out when I'm annoyed.
While I'm walking back to the parking lot, my tounge still is in full-alert-mode. And while I'm trying really hard, swallowing always comes with that embarrasing slurp.
All these videos I watched with fascination and joy about people getting expanders or something like that. I'm now one of them. It's like tasting your own medicine. But at least, about half an hour later I realized it isn't just bitter medicine, it's bitter-sweet.
Well, after a few days I didn't really think much about these spacers anymore, the two weeks went pretty uneventful, not to say almost boring.
But there was this mix of excitement and fear of the actual installation date, raising with every day that went past.
And there it was, THE DAY!
To be honest, telling you I was nervous would be an complete understatement. The appointment was scheduled for 11 a.m. I was up at 6, brushing the teeth for the first time. And looking back, I can't really tell what I've done else until that time. And i was in the city almost an hour early, so I decided to have a coffee and a "last" cookie at a bakery nearby.
I entered the office 15 minutes early and brushed my teeth again, probably for the 3rd or 4th time that day. I was given a bunch of informational and mandatory sheets to read and sign while I already took place on the chair.
Honestly, I signed those sheets, but please don't ask what was on them in detail. My mind was completley focused on the tray next to me. There was already that mold of my teeth with the Beneslider. And it looked huge and intimidating.
I had to wait almost 20 minutes, always again staring to the left until my neck began to hurt slightly. Holy shit, it's getting real and it looks much more then ever expected.
But now it started. Local anesthesia goes in, at first on the surface, then the deep one. It wasn't the most fun experience but not bad or painful at all, just a really disgusting taste and a strange feeling with some tickling in the nose.
Okay, breath deep. First step is done and it wasn't horrible at all. Then it's time for the miniscrews (which aren't really that mini if you ask me). The appliance came with a positioning device. And pretty fast the ortho started with the first screw.
Wow! It really doesn't hurt or anything, but i never imagined he would need to use that much force of push and torque to get that in. Without a long break he inserts the second screw and takes the positioning device out.
This was pretty fast and some of my inner tension released slowly.
At that moment I really had to explore these screws with my tounge. To be honest, just these screws - or their head that was sticking out- didn't feel like much, but at that time my head went crazy again.
The assistant started to take out the spacers and clean the two molars with some detailed perfection. And then the cheek-retractor and tounge-blocker goes in. What a shame, I would have liked to feel things right away. On the other hand, the excitement skyrocketed pretty fast.
The appliance was put in, readjusted ect. for two or three times when the ortho finally said that the assistant may prepare the bands with the cement. I think (and hope) that i stayed calm on the outside, but my inside really was a mess at this point.
After it was glued in and secured at the mini-pins the cheek-retractor came out and I closed my mouth.
Holy shit. That thing is huge! At that moment there was no excitement or joy left. Just the realization that this will take some time to get adjusted to it. And that life will probably change in some aspects right now.
Saliva is pooling really quick and while I get the instructions for the care and important things to look for, the first attempt in swallowing results in a slurp. Well, that's embarrasing but at least a little funny as well.
But before I even had really processed this, the next challenge was waiting. Scheduling the next appointment in 8 weeks.
I really struggeld as I didn't expect that lisp and muffeld speech to be that bad. But the assistant obviously could handle it well and encouraged me, that this will last only a few weeks at longest.
I left the office with a "shank you". There i am, drooling and lisping. With an appliance fitted to my pallete, in real life. That won't come out when I'm annoyed.
While I'm walking back to the parking lot, my tounge still is in full-alert-mode. And while I'm trying really hard, swallowing always comes with that embarrasing slurp.
All these videos I watched with fascination and joy about people getting expanders or something like that. I'm now one of them. It's like tasting your own medicine. But at least, about half an hour later I realized it isn't just bitter medicine, it's bitter-sweet.
surfreak
Platinum Member
Thank you for that great story about your big day. I almost can feel your excitement that you must have had.
How are you now, how did it feel when the effect of the anesthesia subsided? Did you feel any pain, of pressure/tension?
Is your speech affected, and what about swallowing? Could you already get used to it?
Your story made me remind my "big day" last October, when I got my Brackets installed.
I exactly remember all the single steps - from inserting the retractor - every single beep of the uv-lamp - until my lips could feel my new jewelry for the first time. And then the first lool in the mirror - All the silver, shiny metal looks so good on me - I can´t resist smiling
In my case it´s "just" metal brackets on top and bottom and "unfortunately" no screws, no bands and no parts in my palate.
How are you now, how did it feel when the effect of the anesthesia subsided? Did you feel any pain, of pressure/tension?
Is your speech affected, and what about swallowing? Could you already get used to it?
Your story made me remind my "big day" last October, when I got my Brackets installed.
I exactly remember all the single steps - from inserting the retractor - every single beep of the uv-lamp - until my lips could feel my new jewelry for the first time. And then the first lool in the mirror - All the silver, shiny metal looks so good on me - I can´t resist smiling
In my case it´s "just" metal brackets on top and bottom and "unfortunately" no screws, no bands and no parts in my palate.
Thank you for your reply, I'm currently writing the next chapter about the first days, I will include the answers in that chapter for sure.
;D
To be honest, without spoiling too much of that next chapter, I'm not 100% sure if I can agree on that "unfortunately" you mentioned about palatal appliancessurfreak said:
;D
surfreak
Platinum Member
For me, as a real braces-freak in my mid 50ies, it´s definitely "unfortunately"
I also would love to get a headgear and the jackpot would be to get a palatal expander with herbst-appliance installed.
I already had to wear a headgear from 12 to 14. For the last ten years I had some appliances from the bracesshop, where I had Headgear and Herbst included.
So I already have an idea how they feel. But the most important thing I was still missing - the permanent and fix installation, without any possibility to hide or even take it out.
I also would love to get a headgear and the jackpot would be to get a palatal expander with herbst-appliance installed.
I already had to wear a headgear from 12 to 14. For the last ten years I had some appliances from the bracesshop, where I had Headgear and Herbst included.
So I already have an idea how they feel. But the most important thing I was still missing - the permanent and fix installation, without any possibility to hide or even take it out.
11th Chapter:
Looking back, i don't remember much of me driving home, but that's no wonder regarding the chaos in my head. It was a constant mix between "holy shit, this is huge and embarrassing" and "I can't believe I'm really wearing a fixed appliance, that's so cool".
I thought, that the saliva thing wouldn't be that bad as I had worn these nighttime splints ect. In the end, this thought was really wrong and my mouth really tried to wash the appliance out of my mouth. Swallowing feels wrong, annoying and exciting all at once. And of course, the dreading slurp, that is necessary to catch all the saliva around the appliance... This is really embarrassing.
My thoughts are quickly interrupted, when I receive a text message from my mother. "How did it go? How do you feel? Do you think you can eat a bit? I got some really soft cake without any solid bits. Anyway, I would like you to stop by on your way home to see how you're doing."
Under normal circumstances, this kind of intrusive messages and requests would have caused a massive fight about boundaries ect. instantly. I had told her before that she shouldn't prepare anything and that I don't now if I stop by, probably not. And after this message I really didn't want to visit her and answer her questions. But honestly, it felt even less like the right moment to start another fight with her.
And honestly, she already heard me speaking strange as a toddler 30 years ago, so no need to be embarrased. The rules of behaving there are clear as well. Don't be too miserable, otherwise you will get asked every hour how you're doing in the next week. But more important, don't show any sign of your excitement, that conversation isn't needed at all.
During the greeting she looks so concerned at me, that I had to laugh for a short moment, but then came the conversation / her questions.
"How was it?"
"It wash not that bad ash exshpected. Didn't feel much." Hell, that lisp is huge...
"And now? How does it feel and is it painful?"
"It feelsh incwedible huge. But at leasht itsh not painful. Only shwallowing feelsh tewible and I weally can't shpeak."
Okay, someone please kill me, it's not only the "s" sounds but also these "r"s that I can't pronounce...
"Hmm, it's probably still numb, do you have painkillers for later? And don't worry, your speech isn't that bad at all."
I just nod, she's my mother, she is supposed to be nice and supportive and probably far away from an objective opinion. But in my mind I'm getting really concerned about work.
She did notice that it's not the day for having extended conversations and quickly brought the cake.
"Are you allowed to eat and are you able to?"
"I will twy, no idea how it ish going."
And there it was, the first bite with that appliance. I think I was to distracted by thinking about my speech and I didn't follow the things i know from all the videos. I took a spoonful like I always would and that was a fault. As soon as I closed my mouth, everything of that soft cake squeezed all around every bit of that slider. Hmm, that's hard to manage. With the next bites, which were way smaller it worked okay, perhabs because every corner was already filled with that first piece of cake. But honestly, no fun at all and I quickly felt that I needed some wax to protect the cheeks and tounge. You remember about the fake RPE, I mentioned earlier? It's mostly the same. First few bites are "exciting" and funny, but after latest 5 bites it's annoying and you take it out. But now this is fixed and doesn't come out any way...
"That'sh howwible. At leasht I will looshe shome weight with thish"
"Just remember that it's the first hours, it will be a lot better already by tommorow."
I then quickly said goodbye and made my way home, still with almost half of the cake stuck in my mouth, impossible to get it out by slurping or poking with the tounge. This is going to be a long and hard time with this.
At home I quickly went to the bathroom to look into the mirror. What a mess, seems like I hadn't swallowed anything of my cake yet.
Its time to open the big box of essentials that I ordered with excitement and joy last week.
And it's the next thing to consider: It takes so incredibly long to get all of that clean... I definitely will have to change my alarm for next week if I want to make it to work on time.
Puhh, at that point... no excitement at all, just annoying as f...
Looking back, i don't remember much of me driving home, but that's no wonder regarding the chaos in my head. It was a constant mix between "holy shit, this is huge and embarrassing" and "I can't believe I'm really wearing a fixed appliance, that's so cool".
I thought, that the saliva thing wouldn't be that bad as I had worn these nighttime splints ect. In the end, this thought was really wrong and my mouth really tried to wash the appliance out of my mouth. Swallowing feels wrong, annoying and exciting all at once. And of course, the dreading slurp, that is necessary to catch all the saliva around the appliance... This is really embarrassing.
My thoughts are quickly interrupted, when I receive a text message from my mother. "How did it go? How do you feel? Do you think you can eat a bit? I got some really soft cake without any solid bits. Anyway, I would like you to stop by on your way home to see how you're doing."
Under normal circumstances, this kind of intrusive messages and requests would have caused a massive fight about boundaries ect. instantly. I had told her before that she shouldn't prepare anything and that I don't now if I stop by, probably not. And after this message I really didn't want to visit her and answer her questions. But honestly, it felt even less like the right moment to start another fight with her.
And honestly, she already heard me speaking strange as a toddler 30 years ago, so no need to be embarrased. The rules of behaving there are clear as well. Don't be too miserable, otherwise you will get asked every hour how you're doing in the next week. But more important, don't show any sign of your excitement, that conversation isn't needed at all.
During the greeting she looks so concerned at me, that I had to laugh for a short moment, but then came the conversation / her questions.
"How was it?"
"It wash not that bad ash exshpected. Didn't feel much." Hell, that lisp is huge...
"And now? How does it feel and is it painful?"
"It feelsh incwedible huge. But at leasht itsh not painful. Only shwallowing feelsh tewible and I weally can't shpeak."
Okay, someone please kill me, it's not only the "s" sounds but also these "r"s that I can't pronounce...
"Hmm, it's probably still numb, do you have painkillers for later? And don't worry, your speech isn't that bad at all."
I just nod, she's my mother, she is supposed to be nice and supportive and probably far away from an objective opinion. But in my mind I'm getting really concerned about work.
She did notice that it's not the day for having extended conversations and quickly brought the cake.
"Are you allowed to eat and are you able to?"
"I will twy, no idea how it ish going."
And there it was, the first bite with that appliance. I think I was to distracted by thinking about my speech and I didn't follow the things i know from all the videos. I took a spoonful like I always would and that was a fault. As soon as I closed my mouth, everything of that soft cake squeezed all around every bit of that slider. Hmm, that's hard to manage. With the next bites, which were way smaller it worked okay, perhabs because every corner was already filled with that first piece of cake. But honestly, no fun at all and I quickly felt that I needed some wax to protect the cheeks and tounge. You remember about the fake RPE, I mentioned earlier? It's mostly the same. First few bites are "exciting" and funny, but after latest 5 bites it's annoying and you take it out. But now this is fixed and doesn't come out any way...
"That'sh howwible. At leasht I will looshe shome weight with thish"
"Just remember that it's the first hours, it will be a lot better already by tommorow."
I then quickly said goodbye and made my way home, still with almost half of the cake stuck in my mouth, impossible to get it out by slurping or poking with the tounge. This is going to be a long and hard time with this.
At home I quickly went to the bathroom to look into the mirror. What a mess, seems like I hadn't swallowed anything of my cake yet.
Its time to open the big box of essentials that I ordered with excitement and joy last week.
And it's the next thing to consider: It takes so incredibly long to get all of that clean... I definitely will have to change my alarm for next week if I want to make it to work on time.
Puhh, at that point... no excitement at all, just annoying as f...