Traveling Twosome
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  • BeBelize - Our life in Belize (2011-2013)
  • Earlier adventures (2003-2010)
    • First Belize Trip 2010
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"Pearl" in Winter Garden, Florida
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Long shadows in Wyoming

Getting Braces Next Week!

8/24/2017

2 Comments

 
This week I had my dental and orthodontic appointments.  That was a lot to do in back-to-back days, but I'm thankful to have it done.  Fortunately, all went well. I was finally able to get my teeth cleaned and received a clean bill of health from the dentist.  Look Ma, no cavities!  It was a relief since any dental issues with my teeth, gums, or existing dental work (I have a bunch of crowns of various ages on most of my molars) would have delayed my orthodontia, and I really want to get moving on it.  The faster I start, the sooner I'll finish, right?!  The dentist was very sweet and understanding, and even though I am usually very anxious about any kind of dental interventions, even cleanings, I was actually a bit more relaxed than usual.  Maybe after all I've been through with my jaw and oral surgery, cleanings don't feel like such a big deal any more?

I loved the orthodontist and his office staff.  They were all interested in my jaw fracture story and very sympathetic.  He did confirm that my bite is off (open bite on the right side and more of an overjet in the front than I had before my accident).  Because of the bite issues, I will be getting brackets instead of Invisalign.  That is fine with me, actually.  I had initially hoped for Invisalign, but after reading about the restrictions on eating and drinking I knew they would be difficult for me.  You are only allowed to have the aligners off for two hours per day, and they must be removed for every single thing you eat or drink other than water.  I tend to sip coffee for awhile in the morning and have a glass of wine before dinner. I have a fast metabolism so need an afternoon snack.  Even more importantly, eating anything on longer bike rides would be a dilemma.  I'd have to take the aligners off, stash them safely, and leave them off for the rest of the ride, cutting into my measly two hours of daily "off time".  

Fortunately, braces have changed a lot since I had them in my pre-teen/early teen years! No more full metal bands, which hurt and look awful to boot.  I'll be getting the Speed System braces, which have very small brackets.  On the top six teeth, the brackets will be clear, and the rest metal.  I will have to have elastics at some point for my bite issues as well.  

Most importantly, I found out how long all this is going to take, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The orthodontist said that I will be done in 8 to 14 months, with a good chance of this taking less than a year.  This is not bad at all considering that average length in braces is 18-24 months.  Speed braces really do speed things up, which gives us hope of hitting the road and traveling again sometime next summer.  Yay!

I'll post a photo once I get braced.  The big day is August 28th, four months and one week after my accident.  Not that I'm counting!  ;-)
2 Comments
Cheryl Geeting link
8/25/2017 11:13:24 am

Glad all is going well and that (hopefully) you'll be all done by this time next year. I know this has been a long ordeal!

Reply
Varsha
11/10/2020 08:51:37 pm

Hi Emily, I found your blog since about a month ago I also got into a bike accident and fractured my jaw in 3 places. I got surgery soon after and jaw closed for 2 weeks and bands for 4. I and am on the path to recovery but it’s been a challenge for me. Your blog has helped me, and I do have further questions regarding recovery if you would be able to answer them for me! How was progress like for you regarding opening your mouth, did you experience a lot of tooth sensitivity, and most importantly, when did you feel you were returning to normal? Thanks!

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    Emily & Barry

    We're a long-married, early-retired couple who are currently traveling as nomads with no fixed home base.  After years of living in North Carolina (Emily's home state), we spent 18 months living oceanfront on Ambergris Caye, Belize, a year road-tripping the US in a Honda CR-V, a year in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and are now roaming North America in our 32' motorhome, Pearl, following warm weather whenever possible.

    Our passions are bicycling, walking and hiking, birding, continuing our midlife struggles to learn Spanish, enjoying healthy food (and the occasional donuts & pie!), traveling (duh!)  We travel with a fleet of bicycles and Paisley, our 10-year old Boston Terrier. 

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    Paisley, May 2016
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    Pearl, a 2007 Newmar Bay Star
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    States visited in "Pearl"

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  • Traveling Twosome Blog
  • BeBelize - Our life in Belize (2011-2013)
  • Earlier adventures (2003-2010)
    • First Belize Trip 2010
    • Fall Sail Cruise Aboard Logos 2009
    • Conch Key 2007
    • Charleston Sailing School 2007
    • Biscayne Bay Sailing School 2007
    • Key Lime Sailing Club 2006
    • Southwest Parks 2006
    • BEYC/Jost van Dyke, BVI 2005
    • Offshore Sailing School 2004
    • Annapolis Sailboat Show 2004
    • Finger Lakes 2004
    • NY State Bike Tour 2004
    • Biras Creek, BVI 2003