Welcome to

Well, here’s the news: 2 of 4 of my orthodontic screws got inflamed. One – more so than the other, and it also was very loose. I went in for an emergency appointment today and they had to take out the loose screw. Before they can put one back in, we have to wait for 6-8 weeks. This is an unexpected setback

In addition to the inflammation, I had deep grooves from wire ties cutting into my gums. In one spot gum even sort of receded (got lifted up). I was told it will go back to normal. I hope so!!! It’s on my upper tooth #3 and it’s right in the front and is very asymmetrical at the moment.

They took off the wire ties from the top completely. I now just have one screw at the top and a big ol’ red hole from the second screw. They re-tied the bottom teeth in a slightly different way so there’s not so much pressure on the gums. They also changed the wire at the top and put in a really thick, heavy-gauge one. I’m guessing this prevents the teeth from sliding easily back into the pre-implant position (my top teeth really moved in these 2 weeks, so it would be too bad if all the progress they made would be undone).

Removing the loose screw was a bit painful, so the doctor gave me one shot and then drove the post out with a screwdriver. I got a sad chuckle from seeing how assistants were afraid to even touch the screw, cause with only a bit of movement it would wiggle and I got a weird feeling in the bone, so I’d moan

Hope I can get the inflammation in the other upper screw under control. I’d hate to have to take it out, too and wait even longer. I was told to continue rinsing with Peridex beyond the originally prescribed 2 weeks. I got a bit of staining on a tooth from it, but they scraped the stain off today. I don’t mind the temporary staining, as long as Peridex helps. I know that most of the staining, if not all, can be removed by my hygienist at the cleaning.

I’m due for a semi-annual cleaning this September but I’d love to get cleanings more often while in braces (once every 3 months or so). However, it’s $100 every time and I keep telling myself I’ve already invested a lot of $$$ into my Oral-B Sonic Complete and Oral-B Professional.