Re: questions about banding -- lower jaw setback - for

[Guest guest]

--

Well, I had my appointment with my OS today and it was very

depressing. He took off the wires but rubber banded my teeth

together with about 20 rubber bands. I do look like " hannibal

lechter " . I am very depressed right now. He told me that he needed

to do this to help with positioning my teeth (he said it would

reduce my post op orthodontics work down from about 2 years to 5-6

months). Sounds good but right now, I'd almost say, you know what,

I'll take the 2 years othodontics rather than 4 more weeks of

nothing but a liquid diet and looking like some kind of freak. I am

so upset right now. Not only do I look worse than I did with the

actual wires, but I can't talk as well either and all my teeth

hurt. Bands are supposed to be progress over wires? I don't get

it. The final blow was when he said that I might not be banded shut

for just 4 more weeks (which would make 6 weeks total) but I could

be banded shut for longer (depending on how my bite looks in 4 weeks

when he removes the bands and puts only 2 on as " guides " . Right now

actually, I am just typing here and crying about the whole

situation. I am feeling sorry for myself and really doubting myself

about this whole procedure anyway.

Sadly,

Helen

> > Hi all. I had my lower jaw set back 5 mm on July 15th and I

have a

> > few questions about being banded shut.

> >

> > I am currently wired shut without a splint right now but I have

an

> > appointment with my OS this Thursday and he is going to replace

the

> > wires with rubber bands and is not going to put in a splint. My

> > total treatment time is 6 weeks.

> >

> > My questions are:

> >

> > 1. I have guidewires on my braces that have little hooks (I

have

> 11

> > on the top and on the bottom). When the OS says he is going

> > to " band " my teeth shut is he going to band EVERY tooth? Am I

> going

> > to replace wires with 11 rubber bands or is he just going to put

> two

> > or three rubber bands on to hold my teeth together?

> >

> > 2. I have read a lot of messages on this group and when some

> people

> > get banded they can open their mouth a teeny bit (like 1 finger

> > width) is this something that the OS gives you permission to do

or

> > is it just that you can open your mouth only that much?

> >

> > 3. It also sounds like from the messages, people who have their

> > lower jaws wired shut are usually " tightly banded " for the

entire 6

> > weeks with no way of opening their mouths at all? Is this true?

> >

> > I know I'll find these answers out on Thursday, but I'd like to

> have

> > an idea in advance if possible.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Helen

[Guest guest]

Helen, I would wager that this whole thing is soon going to begin to

look better. But you have to make that happen.

Think of how much of this process you've already come through --

every bit of that is behind you, and something that you won't be

facing again.

As for the banding, you don't mention changing the bands. Did your

surgeon tell you to do that? If not, it's likely that the bands will

loosen up a bit as time goes by. If so, well, just think of that as a

quicker route to progress!

I do remember what it was like to be a Hanniballette, and I didn't

like it either. But I got through it. My bands were not so tight that

I couldn't open, though.

I would suggest that you tell him how upset you are, if you're still

feeling that way when next you see him. Perhaps there's a middle path

that will still help, but not be so rigorous for you. And you have

told him, haven't you, about your troubles with nausea? I hope so.

Meantime, try to be of better cheer. This will pass. It's not a

disease that has no good prognosis. It is a troublesome, annoying

time -- but hey, your friends will be your friends, no matter how you

look, if they're real. If they aren't, it's a good time to find out.

Isn't there something you enjoy doing that doesn't involve your mouth

or food? Try indulging yourself in whatever that might be. Pamper

yourself in the ways that you can, and wait for the time to pass

until all that stuff comes out. Eventually it does. I promise. And

I'll bet that your teeth will soon be more accustomed to the bands

and less painful, too.

Cammie

> --

>

> Well, I had my appointment with my OS today and it was very

> depressing. He took off the wires but rubber banded my teeth

> together with about 20 rubber bands. I do look like " hannibal

> lechter " . I am very depressed right now. He told me that he

needed

> to do this to help with positioning my teeth (he said it would

> reduce my post op orthodontics work down from about 2 years to 5-6

> months). Sounds good but right now, I'd almost say, you know what,

> I'll take the 2 years othodontics rather than 4 more weeks of

> nothing but a liquid diet and looking like some kind of freak. I

am

> so upset right now. Not only do I look worse than I did with the

> actual wires, but I can't talk as well either and all my teeth

> hurt. Bands are supposed to be progress over wires? I don't get

> it. The final blow was when he said that I might not be banded

shut

> for just 4 more weeks (which would make 6 weeks total) but I could

> be banded shut for longer (depending on how my bite looks in 4

weeks

> when he removes the bands and puts only 2 on as " guides " . Right

now

> actually, I am just typing here and crying about the whole

> situation. I am feeling sorry for myself and really doubting

myself

> about this whole procedure anyway.

>

> Sadly,

>

> Helen