What Does Happiness Mean To You?

I've asked myself this question time and time again. There are several answers to this.

• Happiness is...Family
• Happiness is...Good Health
• Happiness is...Good Friends
• Happiness is...Wealth
• Happiness is...NO BRACES!!!!!!!!!

I am officially free of my braces! Or, as Ashley would say..."Mom's no longer a brace face". :)

November 23, 2010...it's a day I'll not soon forget. What a wonderful and exciting day. My appointment at Dr. Gerlein's office began at 11:55 am and what transpired was something amazing. I can't believe how it feels! I can't believe how it looks! And to be honest, I haven't stopped smiling since that day! I've never been vain, nor have I ever been too concerned about my looks. I did this to get rid of the pain of several years and not for looks. But for right now, I'm going to just enjoy this a little bit and not feel the least bit guilty about smiling at each mirror I pass! The before and after pics are to your right....judge for yourself and let me know what you think of the new me!

Some quick information. All told, it took about 2 hours for everything to be finished. First, they attached my permanent retainer behind my bottom front teeth. Then, they removed the brackets and wires! Heaven! I got to brush my teeth - sans metal! Yippee!!! Then, it was Dr. Gerlein's turn - time to get the glue off my teeth. I have to admit, it hurt a little bit but it's because I have so much sensitivity right now in my mouth with the nerve regeneration. But, it was a small and sweet victory when it was finished...all trace of "brace face" was gone! :) Once everything was cleaned off, it was time for some quick impressions. First, an impression of my upper jaw so they could make my retainer. Next, impressions of both top and bottom - "records" for Dr. Gerlein. I'll be famous! Because of the severity of my jaw issues and the transformation (without issue) that has taken place, Dr. Gerlein will be sending my case and records off to the Dental Boards for study. I'm not sure if this is something to be excited about or not! LOL

I MUST give credit where credit is due! On my left, the most wonderful orthodontist in the entire world - Dr. Gerlein. He is amazing and fantastic and I know that my experience with adult orthodontia would NOT have been the same had it not been for him. And on my right, Connie - just one of the several awesome and wonderful ladies that work in the office - the one who had the honor of setting me free!

Bracing For Change....

We're getting close! I went to the orthodontist on Wednesday - had impressions done on my bottom jaw for my permanent retainer. It will, in fact, be a Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday for me with no braces! Yayyyy!

Sniffer Repair...

It's been a while since I last posted, so sorry! Let me get you up to date on the latest happenings.

I can almost feel my chin....entirely! My top lip is no longer numb. The gums of my bottom jaw are beginning to regain just a small amount of feeling. I have zero, count it....ZERO....feeling in the gums of my upper jaw. The feeling on the roof of my mouth is almost all back so I no longer worry about burning the heck out of my mouth when eating pizza. The left side of my face under my eye is still a little numb, as is my bottom lip....but all very do-able. If no more feeling came back, I'd be absolutely fine with it!

Chewing is still difficult and I struggle with it daily. Talking, as much as I love to do it, is also difficult and I still have to think about many of the words my mouth is forming. I still spit and drool from time to time. If it bothers Brian, he keeps quiet. Such a wonderful husband. :) All in all, things are progressing nicely....except for....

...my nose. *sigh* As you all know, it's been giving me trouble since the surgery. Surgeon said it was normal, ENT said it wasn't. After three or so weeks of antibiotics, nasal sprays and ointments (and no changes), surgery is slated for December 2nd. At that time, he'll repair my torn septum so it feels right and I stop whistling and open up my turbinates a bit more so I can breathe normally. Yayyyy! Finally. No more whistlin' Dixie as a bedtime song! Ugh.

Surgery...as I said, December 2nd. It's an outpatient procedure, nothing like the one I had done in May!! I'll go back the following day and have the packing removed, then a couple more days of down time and I should be good to go! I'll be so glad when it's done!

I visited the orthodontist last week - had impressions done of my mouth. I go back this week on Wednesday and....drumroll....should find out when I get my braces off! He has to look at the models to see what final adjustments he has to make before they come off! But, it looks as if we're still on target for December sometime. If he doesn't have a date for me on Wed., he will at my next appt. I can't WAIT to know!

Although I'm still struggling with a few aspects of how I look....here I am!!!