Re: Post-op jaw shifting ??? To Irene

[Guest guest]

Irene,

The first part of bone healing involves the formation of a fibrous

bridge between the two bones. Its function is to hold the two bones

and provide a bridge/ladder for the osteoblasts to lay down new bone

(ossification). Since it is fibrous it allows for some flexibility

whereas ossified bone is rather rigid. After eight weeks enough

ossification should have occurred to create a rigid bond. In my case

after eight weeks my upper jaw was easily moved back and forth.

CPT BOB

> >

> > Bob

> >

> > At the risk of over simplifying things, picture a regular ball in

> > socket joint--which the Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) is not.

> > The " ball " portion of the TMJ is the Condyle and the " socket " is

> > called the Mandibular Fossa.

> >

> > No, I am no longer in elastics. The lack of ossification (filling

the

> > gap with new bone)in my maxilla (Upper) is probably due to being

put

> > in elastics too early. As I opened my mouth the elastics pulled

on

> > the maxilla creating movement which prevented proper bone

healing.

> > So, I am on a no chew diet with no elastics for at least three

weeks.

> >

> > Were the elastics working? Yes, while I wore elastics my midline

> > lined up perfectly. As soon as I took them off my lower midline

> > shifted left again. The OS tells me that it can take 6 - 8 weeks

to

> > properly retrain the muscles.

> >

> > As for pain in my chin, no, although my lower lip and chin are

still

> > pretty numb. Ocassionaly I get a shooting pain running through my

> > chin, but it is very short lived. Since your pain is somewhat of

a

> > phantom pain, I wonder is pain meds will actually help.

> >

> > Be very carefull using any drug that the OS/OD did not prescribe.

> > Drug interactions can be dangerous. I recommend you consult with

the

> > OS before using any drugs other than what he prescribed.

> >

> > Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a very mild antidepressant and

anti

> > anxiety drug which also has antihistamine properties.

> >

> > CPT BOB

> >