Setting teeth on edge

This year, as part of my “resolutions”, I finally went back to my dentist to continue my TMJ treatment and finally set aside more time and bidget for it. But on my return, I found out that I need to have a root canal since my pasta ‘resto’ has been destroyed and the nerves are already showing. They have to remove them so they can put the pasta back.

I already got one root removed, but am returning this Saturday for the last one as I needed to take antibiotics to stop the infection. I must also remember to sleep early the night before so the anesthesia will work more quickly this time.

So there goes more money away from my hands. At least my braces readjustment has fixed a crooked tooth.

What I put up with every single night

Imagine your teeth and put in the metal brackets / braces on each tooth (those are the 4 square boxes).

Next, imagine elastics put up and over connecting two teeth from top to bottom (those are the yellow ellipses).

Don’t forget the initial wiring for the top set of teeth.

Can you see it now? Now imagine this same instance on not just the six pairs of the front teeth, but all of them.

Can you feel it? If you don’t, let me tell you now: It hurts a whole damn lot.

I could tell you the whole process why this is being done, but I don’t want to bore you to death.¹ But what I can tell you is this: because of the bite splint, my bottom teeth have to follow the position of my top teeth.

I took pictures but they look unflattering, and I don’t want to scare the whole lot of you who read my blog². Also, it looks like my mouth has been stitched like a voodoo doll. So yeah, you’ll have to settle for a graphic representation of what I put up with every single night.

I can’t talk, I can’t sneeze or cough properly, I can’t yawn. And since my teeth are still not touching properly, I can’t even chew. If before I can nibble a bit of pasta and what not, these days I can only “eat” soups and other soft foods that don’t require me to chew.

<– I feel like this right now.