Hi Mom!
Sorry about that! I know it's been over 2 months since my last update, but I've been a busy guy!
First off, let me say that P.Smitty and I had the BEST TIME EVER visiting y'all last month, and the 30th class reunion was also so much fun. It was *especially* great getting to re-connect with my long-lost friend Mary, who lived across the street from us. Turns out she doesn't live all that far away, so hopefully she and her husband will pay us a visit to S.F. in the near future! (hint-hint!)
P.Smitty and I are doing well except for the little problem with P.Smitty breaking his foot a week or so ago. Guess those cowboy boots he bought on vacation will have to wait to be broken in.
I have to say that after all the great caregiving he gave me after my MMA (and MMA Part Deux) surgeries, it's nice to return the favor in any way I can.
Anyway, the day after we got back, I rolled on down to Palo Alto to have my braces put on (third time's a charm!) by "Dr. I". ....and here they are!
I decided to spend a little more for the 6 clear bands on the top. After what they cost, I figured what's another 400 bucks?
...but let me back-track a little to get you up-to-speed.
It turns out that the X-Rays and MRI's showed that my (allegedly) "perfect teeth and bite" weren't actually all that perfect to begin with.
For starters, the way my teeth were fixed the *second* time with braces wasn't exactly the best way it could have been done. Truth be told, I should have at least had my lower jaw moved forward back then, which makes perfect sense since I always had a significant chin deficit. This was way before my OSA diagnosis, but I can't help but think that had that been done back then, I might have been able to avoid the MMA surgery.....or maybe not. Who really knows?
Regardless, "Dr I." says that the angle of both my top and bottom teeth are off quite a bit. Note: this was after the 2nd round of braces and way before the MMA surgery. The top ended up at a questionable angle (more inward) and my lower teeth are pitched out signifigantly. Now, after the result of the MMA surgery, when I bite down, the top and bottom teeth meet together instead over-lapping like they are supposed to. In addition, my molars don't meet in the back at all and that is making my jaw joint hurt. To bring temporary relief, Dr. I previously crafted a plastic appliance that I could wear at night, (on the top and bottom), but because of the braces being in the way now, he altered the lower one to still fit, and I wear it with rubber bands at night. It's not quite as enjoyable, but it's better than nuthin'!
So to me, I honestly think that my MMA surgery was done perfectly, and my jaw is exactly where it needs to be. It's just that the teeth aren't. Luckily, the angle of the teeth can be fixed pretty easily. Dr I. is going to create (i.e. grind) a little extra space between my front lower teeth to allow them to be angled/pitched (not moved) back. He will do the opposite with the top teeth and that should pretty much fix the "lack of an overlap" problem.
The bigger problem is going to be the molars. Dr I. is going to have me wear rubber-bands from the top to bottom in the back (oh goody!) to create tension and pull the the molars closer to each other. This will take time, but we hope it will work. If not, the 2 lower "fixed bridges" I have on either side will need to be replaced with ones that are "built up" higher.
We are hoping to avoid that because those bridges were not cheap and they cannot be "altered". Only replaced.
How long will all of this take? Who knows, but I'm "visualizing" 1 - 1.5 years max. ...but if it takes longer, it takes longer.
Another challenge I have ahead of me is how this is all going to be paid for! I have submitted the claim (with a medical CPT code) to my health insurance company because I feel the need for braces is a result of a previous medical procedure (the MMA surgery) and I would not have needed them otherwise. Makes sense, right? Unfortunately, the insurance company thinks it's a dental issue, so we do not agree. The difference of what I will ultimately have to pay if it's not covered by medical will be about $3,700 so I'm going to be patient, but keep fighting until I exhaust my last resource. Luckily, I have a good benefits administrator here at work, and I think that will help me.
I know all of this sounds like a huge pain in the drain, but it's really not that bad. The MMA surgery was successful, and now it feels like forever ago, and I'm sure that in another couple of years, this whole orthodontic thing will feel like a thing of the past as well.
So, I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Oh! I almost forgot to add that on Sept 12th, we'll be having our 2nd annual MMA Summit, so I'll get to see all my fellow MMA friends, hopefully meet some new MMA friends as well, and we'll all get to tell our "war stories"!
Who loves you, mama! xoxo:
Pinski
