SARPE Preperation.

Prior to my upper jaw operation taking place, braces were placed on my upper teeth from August 2008 - July 2009, this was done because the orthodontist who was responsible for overseeing the project was not satisfied by my top teeth and felt that it needed to be straightened before SARPE took place. This required me to go back and forth from Aberdeen to London once a month during my third year in order for my braces to be tightened.

Every now and again to judge if my top teeth had become straighter, a model was taken and renewed every few months.

Two weeks before undergoing SARPE a SARPE brace was placed onto the roof of my mouth in order to assist with my upper jaw expansion:



The brace is fitted in before surgery as it is the main mechanism responsible for the expansion of the upper jaw. The purpose of SARPE itself is to weaken the upper jaw by splitting the upper jaw in two so that it is mouldable. The incision is normally made bang in the centre of the roof of the mouth.

Once it is weakened, my orthodontic surgeon is hoping to expand my upper jaw by 10mm, by telling me to use a key mechanism and twist the brace (there is a hole in the silver box in the middle) 3 times a day until the desired amount of upper jaw expansion is reached. Each twist of the brace widens my jaw by 1/4 mm.



A change in toothbrush was required to ensure proper cleaning post operation. I was required to change my toothbrush to one with a small head, so that I could reach those hard to reach areas post operation.



Yes I know what you are thinking, and yes it is a toothbrush for 2 year old girls!

In addition to this prior to my operation I had a pre-op assessment with a Facial Maxillo doctor who told me about what laid ahead. In her words, she branded this whole journey to be a "life changing experience", as it not only will be hard and painful, but the rewards at the end of it will be amazing. This however remains to be seen...