So I signed the paperwork, and I feel like I've signed my life away! ... well, at least 2 years of my life anyway. 2 years of braces.
During the first evaluation in November, they said I might be a candidate for Invisalign (clear braces), but after full-mouth x-rays, the orthodontist determined it would be best if I got teeth pulled, in order to make room in my crowded mouth. Thus, the only option was regular braces. I will have ceramic (clear) brackets on top and metal on the bottom.
In preparation for getting my braces on next week, I had to get 3 teeth pulled. The first bicuspid on the top right, and the second bicuspids on the top left and lower left. Here's a summary of all the permanent teeth that have been pulled in my lifetime:
Eating with missing teeth is quite challenging--been eating a lot of applesauce and yogurt and green juice smoothies (pineapple, cucumber, and spinach).
I just got my spacers in on Wednesday, and it hurts so much more than the extractions, I feel. It was a dull aching pain all day long yesterday, and I finally sucked it up and took some 600mg ibuprofen (even though I want to avoid taking pain meds). I couldn't concentrate at work, so I just took it.
I also have been using ice packs and drinking cold drinks. Rinsing with salt water has also helped, though I'm not sure how exactly that works. One of the other remedies that has worked really well has been using the Red Cross Eugenol kit that I used when I suspected I had dry socket. You can apply the stuff right onto the teeth that ache, and it works really well. I just have to make sure I rinse my mouth really well afterwards.
With the pain from the spacers now, I'm a little anxious about the pain that will come from the actual braces, but I'm hoping to figure out what pain meds regimen will keep me functional at work and at home.
I'll post some pre-braces pictures, and post-extraction ones as well.
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Here are some pre-braces pictures, post-extraction of 2 pre-molars:
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