Bike Accident :-(

[Pax]

So glad a competent doctor got a look at you, Emily. Sorry it's going to be a long fix though. Hopefully you'll see some good results quickly!

[ny biker]

Wow. It's frustrating to think that the CT scan was not able to pick up the fractures, though I guess the inflammation you had at the time might have made it harder for them to show up. A friend had a similar experience last year after a bike crash, with the initial x-rays showing one injury but a follow-up x-ray showing something else. But, at least now you know what's wrong and what needs to be done to fix it.

I actually recently saw a doctor who had his jaw wired shut due to a fracture. He was able to talk well enough for me to understand him. He mentioned a liquid diet, and looking forward to getting back to eating real food. Hopefully you won't be wired up for too many weeks.

[rebeccaC]

Glad you have more info Emily but sorry about the consequences of the info. The thing about the wired jaw I’d be thinking about is filling my freezer with my favorite ice cream’s for some wonderful milkshakes. and Rainbow's ftw...and remember the clouds that come floating into our lives can also add beautiful colour's to a sunset sky. Wishing for a quicker healing process than anticipated.

[Crankin]

I am so sorry, Emily, but at least you know what the treatment will be. Don't give up...
I can't speak to the jaw wiring part, but I had Invisalign braces from 2005-7. Yes, I had regular braces as a kid, but what they don't tell you, is that unless you wear a retainer forever, your mouth shifts back. I still wear the Invisalign retainer 3 times a week. The process was pretty non-invasive and moved much more quickly than anticipated.
Keep us posted.

[emily_in_nc]

I am so sorry, Emily, but at least you know what the treatment will be. Don't give up...
I can't speak to the jaw wiring part, but I had Invisalign braces from 2005-7. Yes, I had regular braces as a kid, but what they don't tell you, is that unless you wear a retainer forever, your mouth shifts back. I still wear the Invisalign retainer 3 times a week. The process was pretty non-invasive and moved much more quickly than anticipated.

Thank you for sharing your experience! I too had braces as a child (the ugly metal full-band ones that were most common back then), and although my teeth were gorgeously straight when they first came off, as a 9th grader I wasn't diligent about the retainer, so yes, mine also slipped back some, although they were still far better than pre-braces. If I end up getting the Invisalign, I may end up with teeth as straight as back in 9th grade. I would be more diligent about wearing them now, too!

I have read several sites/blogs from people who have had their jaw wired, so have a pretty good idea what to expect. Liquid diet, check; discomfort, check; but joy when it gets taken off: double check! We will probably need to get a Nutribullet for making smoothies, a waterpic so I can clean my teeth, and lots of liquidy stuff. Milkshakes for sure. Most people lose weight when they're wired, so that makes milkshake an allowable pleasure! I already miss crunchy foods, though, as I've been on soft foods only since my accident (April 21).