Here we are again, talking about my teeth. Really the only annoying ongoing problem post MMA (aside from the numbness, but that’s not really too annoying). Why a problem? Well, I personally like symmetry. I like to chew my food equally on both sides. If I have M&Ms or something small like that, I eat 2 at a time. One for each side. Symmetry, OCD, call it what you will, I prefer to chew that way…and since my surgery, that has not been able to happen. grr. argh.
When I first got my braces off I commented on the unequal feeling back in molar-land, and my ortho said my teeth would likely still move a little and not to worry. So I didn’t. But it’s been awhile now. A too long while for me to be satisfied…and so I angst my irk here. For you.
Here’s where I am in orthodontia: The retainer they gave me for the bottom had hooks that looped over my teeth to hold it in place. Those hooks, unfortunately, started pushing my teeth apart and I got little gaps.
I’ve already been wearing the new retainer to correct that for a couple weeks so the gaps are not as pronounced. In case you can’t see it in these pix, it’s where the bubble of spit is on the left picture (so rad, I know). :) sorry. In other words, the gaps occured between the teeth that some would call canines (though mine be none so pointy anymore) and the first molar-y looking ones. What did you want me to say? Eye tooth and first bicuspid? Okay I said it.
So they made me a new retainer. This one actually encases all of my bottom teeth within one piece of plastic with springs to pull the teeth back together.
While I was in getting this retainer, I commented (again) how my back teeth didn’t touch on the left side. Once again the little pieces of carbon paper were inserted and once again I was instructed to chomp chomp chomp and grind…and I was assured that I was crazy (okay she didn’t say crazy) and that my teeth did touch. I also mentioned the numbness I am still experiencing in my gums and teeth, and then that was blamed for my crooked feeling. But I know that’s not true. I mean, yes, I am crazy…but no, my teeth do not touch at all evenly on the back left. Here, judge for yourself and tell me how the carbon paper touched…I’m pretty sure it didn’t.
I went to see Dr Steve my dentist (he looks a little like my boyfriend and has a Shelby of his own) who was about to do the carbon paper thing for me (I felt he was unbiased but skilled in the carbon paper test) when he put the cute little dentist mirror back there and said, “Uh Shelby, I don’t need carbon paper. Those teeth don’t touch.” SEE! Told you!!! So I’m feeling miffed…but I do have to say that I didn’t peek back there before getting the new retainer so things may have changed. HOWEVER: they do not feel different. So I think this is how it has looked all along and I am … irritated? Yes, that.
But from the front all looks good, and maybe that’s all people really care about (unless they are me and craving a meetup between upper and lower molars).
ta-da (Just don’t try to chew on that back left side)
I’m also experiencing a little clickity clickity in the right jaw joint which I think is occuring because I chew everything on the right and non-purposely try to make the left molars touch by moving my jaws around (which doesn’t work, but for some reason I notice sometimes I am doing it and I stop when I notice, but still…it happens).
Okay have I ranted enough?
Here’s a little non-ranting story: Dr. Steve wanted to make sure I was flossing and I told him I have a huge bag of those pre-flossed picks and I floss while I am driving. He broke in and said “I’m glad you’re flossing but I can’t condone practicing oral hygeine and driving…” I said, “I don’t look in the mirror or anything and he said “Oh…” and then I thought, did he think I was driving with my mouth open, chin back, and eyes on the rearview mirror peering into my mouth? I suppose I could have been. But no, I just kind of mindlessly use that little pick thing… Geeze, now I feel like a bad driver…but I swear I’m not distracted! I think I’m more distracted putting on chapstick (and no I don’t look for that either). I’ll stop now before the non-ranting story turns into a rant. Wouldn’t want that.
Next entry we’ll talk numbness. Everyone’s favorite subject.