1. Separators

Today is 4 Jul (Mon).

I have officially begun my journey on wearing braces. The schedule for today is to put on the separators and also to have two of my teeth extracted.

The purpose of these separators is to space out my teeth so that my orthodontist could place the metal frame which would be used to secure my braces.  The procedure for separators was very swift, it took less than 15mins to get it done (I have a very skilled orthodontist, heh!). Apart from the last separator which was so stubborn and didn't want to fit in between the gap of my shiny white teeth, everything went really smoothly. I had a total of eight separators fitted in between my teeth.

I then went up to L6 to wait for my extraction. I was called in soon after reporting. The minute I went into the room, I couldn't help but notice the long syringe of anesthesia.

Being a LA, the surgeon did not put me under the sleeping gas. Instead she injected the anesthesia into the gum, around the region where the surgical site will be. It was quite a painful one, whoever said there are no nerves in the gum needs to undergo one of these in their life.

It didn't take long before the numbing came into effect. I was told to wait outside the room for another 15mins (probably to ensure that the anesthesia works completely). I then decided to use the toilet. Bad choice. I missed my call back to the room and had to wait for another 15mins.

I was using my phone before I notice my number on the screen. Went in, and the surgeon injected more anesthesia into my gum again.

Then the surgeon took out something that looks sorta like a tool you use to crack the crab shells with, just much more smaller. The dental assistant then secured my head, which the surgeon then grabbed the tooth to be extracted with the metal thingy, and yanked at it. I couldn't feel anything of course, but I know it was a tough pull. Barely a few minutes, the first one was out. It was a peculiar feeling when the surgeon was pulling out the tooth, it felt like you are trying to pull something away from chewing gum, and I could feel the tissues separating itself from the tooth. Eww.

The second one was the same. So i'll just skip the description. I was given my extracted teeth (in a ziplock bag and a piece of gauze to bite on. Then I got sent out of the room to another called the Recovery Room. There I was given my Medical Certificate and I had to watch a video on post-surgery care. I also had a replacement of gauze before I made payment at the counter. Today's treatment costed me $2100-ish. $2000 for the downpayment of braces treatment and another $100-ish for the extraction of 2 teeth.

My appointments were already fixed so time to head home! Along the way, I picked up a mask to cover up my swollen face (pretty smart huh!)

Gonna come back next Mon, 11 Jul to extract another 2 teeth and put on the first set of braces. Can't wait for the transformation :D