Before/After

Here it is. The moment you've all been waiting for. The qualitative analysis of before/after photos. I have to say, looking at these I realize how lucky I am and how well things turned out. Everyday I'm in awe of my new biting capabilities and I'm glad my face didn't completely change because of it. I mean of course I look different but I'm still definitely me, only better!

The Results Are In

As Expected

Two weeks or so now with the braces off and just as I figured, I'm ecstatic about it. Why wait this long to post then, you ask? Well if you don't know me by now you may never ever ever know me, wooo-ooo-o-ooo. It's just great. My mom bought me a couple pounds of mixed nuts which are now gone. I've been eating tortilla chips by the basketful. Hell, I'm even flossing everyday! The abutment for my implant is installed and I have a temporary crown on until I'm done bleaching my teeth. Then they'll match the color to make the real crown. The temp pops off pretty easily when I take out my lower retainer so I'll try to remember to take a photo of the post underneath so you can see what's going on. Having it put in was SUPER easy. Other than a couple pinches here and there I truly could not feel a thing. Oh and Dr.Misleh had this tiny little torque wrench to tighten it into place! Cutest torque wrench ever. Anyway, everything's amazing. I couldn't be happier with the outcome (even that little gap I was whining about earlier closed itself up!) and would do it all again without thinking twice.

(*I was going to snap a quick picture because I happen to have my camera here at work and found my battery had died. Check back in a few hours.)

One Week Countdown

Not much time left now. I went in to discuss a small gap with Dr.Styrt yesterday so he loaded me up with TWO overlapping powerchains to take care of business. He thinks it'll be sorted by next week but I didn't mind mentioning that if it's not ready I'm ok with waiting another week or another month. I'm not keen on letting it slide and having the dentist "fix" it with veneers or something like that.

Planning the After Party

Forget the taffy. Never really liked popcorn. Don't miss chewing gum too much. This is what I'm drooling over http://www.nutsonline.com/nuts/ .

Three Words

Dee.
Ban.
Did.

In four weeks from now! Under the morning fog of La Jolla on February 3rd I will be getting the crowbar treatment to remove these shiny dental decorations! I believe the plan is then to fit me for a removable (Essix?) retainer so that my dentist can install (or "Load-In" as we say in the theatre) the abutment for my implant a week or so later. Then however long it takes to get my teeth whitened and the crown made to match and I'll have permanent retainers put in afterwards.

Prit.
Tee.
Excited.

Well, Here I Am

Not too bad hunh? Pretty amazing stuff. One thing I noticed going into this is no matter what, nobody comes out looking worse than they did before. Definitely different, but always better. There are still details about my smile that I don't like but will probably not be fixed at this point, but frankly, I'm sure no one else sees them but me. That's what happens when you obsess over a part of yourself for three years. But for now, no more exciting appointments until after the New Year.

Until then, from the most sincere part of me, relax, be safe, enjoy the company of those you love, and have a wonderful holiday season. Love to all.