Wednesday, August 25, 2010

splint: first impression

I hate the splint. I absolutely can NOT stand it. I feel like I'm suffocating with it in, because it forces my jaw closed at night. It's huge - I look like a football player. It's my retainer as well, now, and my teeth HURT like crazy - it's weird. Most likely because I'm trying to work my way out of the splint at night and it's hard to get my teeth in and out. I have to wear my clear retainers during the day for a few hours because I'm not getting my 8 hours in due to spitting it out so often (which is really difficult to remove, I'm not sure how I'm getting out of it!)

My lower jaw is pulled quite a bit forward to get it in the splint - so when I take it out my jaw is confused about where to sit. This morning my front teeth were bumping like mad, during lunch today I saw a legitimate large overbite, which scares the crap out of me.

I have a headache, I'm exhausted from waking up every hour or so either suffocating, searching for it because I've managed to spit it out, or from my teeth and jaw hurting.

I'm going to give it the 10 days he asked - it's a new thing, and my jaw doesn't like new things. I want this to work - I want the rest of my jaw pain to go away and I want my range of motion to improve and I want to eat normally - but this sucks.

Boo. I had high hopes for this splint.

4 comments:

Corey said...

we should start a club, i hate my splint too. your teeth won't be so sore after a week or so, the splint is just tighter and harder than retainers...so hope that gives you something to look forward to. yes it sucks. bleh.

Brent said...

Hi Stephanie!
Bummer news! I hope the next 10 day really work out for you. What is next if not?
I will pray for healing and success for you!
Brent

stephanie said...

I'm not sure what's next. Adjusting the splint? My orthodontist said it was difficult but do-able? Perhaps the shots in my jaw joints? I'm not altogether sure this pain will ever go away - my joints are very unhealthy from all the damage pre-surgery. Having surgery has stopped them from worsening at a rapid pace, but they're really bad joints.

Last night wasn't quite as bad as the first few nights... so I'm still crossing my fingers.

Brent said...

Hi Setphanie!
How are things coming along? I hope you are adjusting and feeling improvement with your splint.
Regards,
Brent