8 months post-op and having concerns....

March 12, 2004

Hi everyone-

I had upper, lower, and genio last July. I got my braces off in

December. I don't have to wear a retainer anymore and I sleep

wearing a night guard. Everything has been okay healing wise, but

lately, it seems like it has gotten worse.

I am constantly aware of my jaw... it always has like a dull ache.

When I eat, even something soft, it crackles and pops. Just the

whole joint area just kinda annoyingly hurts. It sometimes feels

like it's gonna lock up on me or something. I didn't have any of

these problems before the surgery, but knew it was a risk after

surgery.

It also feels like my chin and lower lip have gotten " more " numb.

And that my chin area has gotten more stiff. I feel it all the time

now. Could this be the nerves trying to come back to life?

Last time I saw my doctor about a month and half ago, I asked him

about the cracking(it's happening much worse now), and he said if I

didn't have it before, I shouldn't have it now. So, he thinks it

just the joint trying to adjust to the new position. I have an

appt. with my surgeon on the 23rd. Since that's a while off, I just

wanted to know if any other post-oppers have experienced this and if

anyone thinks this might lead to me needing a second surgery.

Please let me know your thoughts. I'm feeling real worried. Thanks

for your input.

March 12, 2004

Most people I know who have needed repeat surgeries (except for

genio) have detected something " off " in the bite. Lots of people have

snaps, crackles and pops, though, particularly while the jaw is still

getting itself accustomed to its new position. (Whidh I would think

yours is, at only 8 months. I am astonished that you're out of

retainers so soon. That would be scary as the dickens to me.

That business of " a dull ache " alone justifies seeing your surgeon,

I'd think. And it never hurts to ask about anything that's troubling

you. You paid the man for his skill and knowledge, so if you need

them, call on them to help.

And yes, I think the nerves could well be trying to come back to

life. They have lots of ways of being ornery, but as long as they're

being ornery, you know there's life in them.

Cammie

> Hi everyone-

> I had upper, lower, and genio last July. I got my braces off in

> December. I don't have to wear a retainer anymore and I sleep

> wearing a night guard. Everything has been okay healing wise, but

> lately, it seems like it has gotten worse.

>

> I am constantly aware of my jaw... it always has like a dull ache.

> When I eat, even something soft, it crackles and pops. Just the

> whole joint area just kinda annoyingly hurts. It sometimes feels

> like it's gonna lock up on me or something. I didn't have any of

> these problems before the surgery, but knew it was a risk after

> surgery.

>

> It also feels like my chin and lower lip have gotten " more " numb.

> And that my chin area has gotten more stiff. I feel it all the

time

> now. Could this be the nerves trying to come back to life?

>

> Last time I saw my doctor about a month and half ago, I asked him

> about the cracking(it's happening much worse now), and he said if I

> didn't have it before, I shouldn't have it now. So, he thinks it

> just the joint trying to adjust to the new position. I have an

> appt. with my surgeon on the 23rd. Since that's a while off, I

just

> wanted to know if any other post-oppers have experienced this and

if

> anyone thinks this might lead to me needing a second surgery.

>

> Please let me know your thoughts. I'm feeling real worried.

Thanks

> for your input.

>

March 12, 2004