Community Chat

[Boomernichols]

@smoochy Pray for your strength and comfort!     I had 2 teeth removed by an oral surgeon and have yet to replace the gap.  My teeth had abcessed below the gum and both had j-hook roots mt dentist could not handle.

[BirkiLady]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

Whenever a tooth is extracted or lost then there is accelerated bone lost from the jawbone in the area where the teeth were pulled or lost. Then over time the bone loss continues and can affect the adjacent teeth which can lead to further problems including loose teeth and even tooth loss. So, dentists can place a bone graft in the socket after extraction to help prevent that from happening even if an implant isn't an option. Bone loss in the jaw plays a major part of aging in the way a person looks.

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 @smoochy  @SilleeMee 

After having a couple of bridges over the years (both ultimately broke) and at 76 faced the possibility of a third one, I simply said "NO. I'm going with implants this time. I want something permanent!" My DDS was stunned, but sent me to another DDS for a second opinion. (Good idea IMO.) Second opinion agreed with me. I researched Oral Surgeons and ultimately went with the one my DDS had recommended. Surgery was 09/25/2024 for two removals, bone grafts, and the posts for the implants.

I'm allergic to painkillers; the oral surgeon agreed to do the procedure without any medication at my request. Thus, I was awake and knew what was going on throughout the hour-long surgery. I watched as he took the tool to removed my upper back teeth in one stroke! And was stunned at the length of roots attached to each tooth - yet it didn't hurt. This guy was amazing.

His RN had drawn some of my blood to mix with a bone graft to be used for my bone grafts during surgery. I watched and learned more about the use of bone grafts throughout the procedure. 

Then, he held up two sets of long sterling silver posts! They looked too long for my mouth, but he assured me they would fit . . . and with a drill-bit type thing, the posts fit! Again, NO PAIN at all. (Never tasted blood throughout the procedure.) 

It was PAINLESS during and after! He gave me a RX for pain, which I did NOT have filled. 

On the way home, I was starving. Asked my son to stop and order a vanilla shake and french fries! No problem eating french fries an hour later (chewing on the right side). Ended up returning all the "soft foods" I had purchased (that are not diabetic friendly) to the grocery store the next day! I was able to eat homemade beef stew, egg dishes, oatmeal, soups, etc., for the few days; returned to my normal food within five days.  

If you are able to afford implants @smoochy, I highly recommend going this route. I'm 76 and did it without any painkillers. 

ETA: I return to the oral surgeon the second week in January, 2025 to check on the healing (it's alreay a done deal) and to give my DDS the OK to go ahead with the final part of the "cosmetic part" of the entire process.

The implant procedure cost $8,133.13 minus discounts for paying in full and 30 days prior to surgery. I don't have dental insurance.  

@SilleeMee 

When all is said and done, I will be able to return to Prolia injections, which have been stopped this year due to the dental infections encountered following the second bridge breaking, which was a blessing in disguise. Who knew? Anxious to keep my bones (and teeth) healthy!

[LTT1]

@smoochy 

Checking on you to see how it went?

[smoochy]

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@LTT1 wrote:

@smoochy 

Checking on you to see how it went?

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thanks. It was rescheduled for tomorrow morning 

[smoochy]

so the aftercare for my procedure is interesting. Because the X-ray showed that my tooth's roots extend into a sinus cavity. Meaning after the tooth is gone there will be a hole the floor of that sinus. Meaning I am forbidden to blow my nose for two weeks. And cannot have any carbonated drinks. And cannot use straws. Apparently if I do those things, I could rupture my sinus or cause a huge infection or something. And would have to return immediately for more surgery where he would plug the hole with a blood patch and "fat from your cheek" I was told. Yikes. This is not my idea of how retirement would be. I had more fun in the '70s than I'm having being in my seventies. Haha

[Trinity11]

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@smoochy wrote:

so the aftercare for my procedure is interesting. Because the X-ray showed that my tooth's roots extend into a sinus cavity. Meaning after the tooth is gone there will be a hole the floor of that sinus. Meaning I am forbidden to blow my nose for two weeks. And cannot have any carbonated drinks. And cannot use straws. Apparently if I do those things, I could rupture my sinus or cause a huge infection or something. And would have to return immediately for more surgery where he would plug the hole with a blood patch and "fat from your cheek" I was told. Yikes. This is not my idea of how retirement would be. I had more fun in the '70s than I'm having being in my seventies. Haha

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I am so sorry @smoochy that you are having a rough time of it. I hope you have someone that can get you some baby food or soft meals. The first few days after I found rinsing with salt water a big help with healing. It's been a week and I still am eating baby food and mashed potatoes. I am supposed to be on a diabetic renal diet but cannot eat anything but soft foods. Like yourself, I was told no straws or carbonated beverages. 

I am saying a prayer that tomorrow goes well for you and you heal quickly.💐

[tends2dogs]

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@smoochy wrote:

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@monicakm wrote:

@smoochy 

I nearly fell out of my chair.  When I read "I sing in an elite 100 member award winning show chorus", my mind instantly thought you were in the Broadway show "A Chorus Line".  Love LOVED that show.  I saw it on Broadway in 1977.

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oh my gosh that's hilarious 😆 no I'm a member of Sweet Adelines International. The chapter chorus I perform in is Toast of Tampa Show Chorus. If you're so inclined, find us on YouTube. Look for our name followed by 2023 International Semi finals. You'll get a taste of why this is such a huge part of my life 😉 four part a cappella harmony, stage makeup and glitzy sparkly costumes 🤩✨

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I looked this up, @smoochy, and it was wonderful.  Everyone has on the same earrings and it looks as though everyone is wearing the same make up.  How fun for you.  Would you care to share which one is you?  All the women seemed to have beautiful, white teeth!

[JoyFilled Warrior]

Hi @smoochy 

I've seen Sweet Adelines several times.  Is a wonderful songs & show!  Thank you for this entertainment.

Id heard that a lot of Surgeons wont do Heart Surgery without a Certificate from their Dentist.  I guess that's vice versa too.  Dentist needs Doc Heart Cert.  Coming & going.

Good luck, or hope you had good luck at Appt today!  

Am interested how it went.

[smoochy]

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@JoyFilled Warrior wrote:

Hi @smoochy 

I've seen Sweet Adelines several times.  Is a wonderful songs & show!  Thank you for this entertainment.

Id heard that a lot of Surgeons wont do Heart Surgery without a Certificate from their Dentist.  I guess that's vice versa too.  Dentist needs Doc Heart Cert.  Coming & going.

Good luck, or hope you had good luck at Appt today!  

Am interested how 

went well thank you. Went to sleep, woke up when it was done. Long acting IV painkiller just now started wearing off. Was Prescribed a few oral narc pain pills to cover me. Minimal bruising, little bit of swelling. Overall a positive experience with an excellent doctor. 

[LTT1]

@Yahooey @smoochy @JoyFilled Warrior @tends2dogs @Trinity11 

I had two teeth extracted last July...they were two back molars and did not have the additional implants done YET. The surgeon said he fixed the bone so that I could have the implants later if imchose.

My insurance ended up covering the additional cost of anesthesia [at my insistence the procedure included general anesthesia].

In the past, I had a back molar removed and no implant and it hasn't been a problem that I can tell.