Yesterday, I went back to the Oral Surgeon for a checkup and to scheduled my next appointment.
Back in August I had 2 baby teeth removed {they were old and decaying, and practically falling out of my head} and now that my mouth has healed, it’s time for the next step.
You know, the one where he drills holes in my jaw and twists titanium screws into my jaw bone.
Essentially, for the price of of a nice used car, I’m going to get 3 screws in my mouth.
Right before Christmas.
Did I mention the teeth come later? Yes, yes they do. Apparently it’s just not cool enough to walk around with 3 missing teeth. Now I’ll get to walk around with 3 holes plus some screws popping up for a few months until my mouth has healed and is ready for actual {fake} teeth.
As with anything, there are pros and cons.
Pros
- I’ll be medicated for the holidays. 😉
- I’ll be forced to stay in my pajamas for a few days. Which of course means I’ll do nothing but nap and watch movies and text family members who are in the next room to bring me ice cream and chicken noodle soup.
- I’ll be too weak to cook or clean or even do laundry. {Okay, so maybe this will take a little acting, but I’ll make it work}.
Cons
- I won’t be able to eat any ham for Christmas dinner. Just soft stuff like mashed potatoes, gravy and jello.
- I won’t be able to drink any decaf tea for 7 days prior to surgery. {Tea is a natural blood thinner}
- The medication will run out and I won’t have anymore.
That’s all I can think of for now, but if you come up with anymore things to add to the PRO side, let me know. I like to keep it upbeat around here. 🙂
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
More Crappy British Teeth Stories
- Mavis and the Case of the Crappy British Teeth Part 1
- Excuse Me, But Does Your Husband Have Any Heart Problems?
- Raising Backyard Chickens: How to Get Rid of Nuisance Chickens # 572
Lorraine says
Pro: You can call yourself a cyborg! (at least, I think so).
I had my first implant put in last month, and the 2nd coming in January. While I agree with Lana’s husband, the sounds of the dentist working (and the blood – I had to look away for that part) were pretty freaky, the overall procedure was fantastic. Better than a root canal. My dentist put in a little screw thingy on top, so that the implant is flush with the gumline until it heals. I keep showing the screw to my kids (it’s cool!).
I don’t think the overall pain was bad at all (I do have a pretty high pain tolerance though). Some jaw aching (mine was a bottom molar), but not bad. Much, much less than getting wisdom teeth removed. Or any tooth removed, for that matter.
I took almost no pain killers, other than those prescribed for the first two days. You’ll do great!
debbie says
Oh my gosh!!! Lots of ice cream, cream pops, Popsicles, and narcotics!!!!
Heidi P says
Holy cow, what an ordeal! Well another plus is……the HH and kids will need to take down and clean up all of the holiday decor for you. I hate that part!
Sarah says
My husband had the same procedure a few years ago. He drank a lot of Jamba Juice, which around here is very much a pro.
Lana says
My husband has been through that and he had very little trouble or pain with it. I am not even sure he took any prescription pain meds. He said the worst part was the screw going into the bone–not pain–all sound effects. I do agree with the cost though–absolutely crazy!
Alexa says
So funny story- I did this last year over Christmas too (I also suffer from the joys of British teeth)! I had surgery on my birthday last December then flew from Seattle to the midwest for the actual holiday. I did pretty well until a flight attendant joked that I had 4+ hours to attempt to eat my airplane meal . . .I think I gave her quite the death glare. I had an extra surgery in there as well because I had to do some bone grafts prior to the actually implant surgery. The long and the short, you’ll be fine! The first time I took some prescription pain meds but after the implant surgery itself I just took advil and I was perfectly okay.
I joke that I helped purchase vacations for my dentists (yes plural) during 2013
Karen says
Granted, it’s expensive, but I’ve got one implant and can’t even tell (without thinking about it) which tooth it is. LOVE IT. Oh, and nearly NO pain from getting it done (I did have him put me out for it, though…just did NOT want to smell drilled bone). The pain was prior when I broke the bicuspid down the middle by grinding at night, and had to wait to get it pulled out until late afternoon.
Judy says
Um Gross..and my jaw is hurting just from looking at the pictures!! Well your half way there Mavis so you might as well go for it!!
This time make sure HH eats breakfast so he doesn’t hit the floor again!!!
Funny thing is my Dad was British!!! 100 percent right of the Queen Mary’s Boat in 1956. Dad’s teeth..well you know the story.
My mom however is Hispanic. She has serious strong super teeth. She is 83 and still has all her teeth!!!
I, thank God have been blessed with my mom’s super strong teeth!!!! The dentist shakes her head every time I have my 6 month check up and says, “Unbelievably Good Strong Teeth”…in which I just grin and say yep , “My Mom’s”!! LOL
Sorry you weren’t as lucky ..but hey when you get the new Titanium Chompers in, you’ll be better then ever!!!
Good Luck and enjoy the Drugs!!
Mari says
There is a kids song – ‘All I want for Christmas is me two front teef, me two front teef. me two front teef.’ That song can become your Christmas Carol lol.
Pro’s?? Just think of that gorgeous dazzling smile you will have in a few months. All good things are worth waiting for.
Keep smiling anyway
Mari says
Meant to add…… Xmas is a time of brandy and hot toddy. Because you can’t have ham…. and have to have liquids……. Brandy and Hot toddy are a liquid. 😉
Peggy Ann says
I agree with Mari. A little spiked egg nog may not be so bad!
And like Judy I have strong teeth –at 50 still no cavities; so I cannot imagine what you will be going through.
However, please. know that your readers will keep you in our prayers and hope that the healing process goes quickly and smoothly. We look forward to seeing your “new” smiling face.
Mavis Butterfield says
50 and no cavities? Holy Smokes. My husband is one of the lucky ones too. No cavities yet.
J. says
Does your insurance cover conscious sedation (since it’s three teeth)? How much would your extra cost be? Have you thought about it? I would also ask about a special oral rinse the doc may want you to use after the procedure.
Mavis Butterfield says
Got the special oral rinse, and I will be knocked out. 🙂 Yay!
Jenifer says
If there is anyone cool enough to be missing teeth while walking around with screws….
God speed on your recovery.
Ps, maybe purée the ham? My mom did that with turkey when I had my jaw wired shut over Thanksgiving. It was pretty tasty!
Penelope says
My husband is in the process of getting a bridge. His tooth gets pulled tomorrow. It keeps abscessing. He opted for the bridge because an implant would probably mean sinus surgery for him.
good luck!
Dena says
Pro: Prior to surgery, write some all purpose 3×5 cards, so you don’t have to talk & just hold up the one you need at the moment for husband or kid(s) to read & then do for you..
Pro: Inform your husband & kids that they have the opportunity to rack up so many bonus points w/ you during this time, so that you’ll be waited on hand & foot.
Pro: Liquid meals are all the rage, & you can catch up on those kale smoothies.
Pro: You are having it done this year, not the next, where all medical & insurances will be a circus.
Con: Sometimes you absolutely have to vocalize w/ a husband &/or kids.
Con:The waiting on hand & foot will probably last three days tops; then all you have is Lucy.
Cont: You’ll start drooling when your family eats solid food in front of you.
Con: You may have to carry dentist’s certification that you actually do have all that metal in your mouth, when you have to pass screening for airplane travels.
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha HA Ha… Funny! 🙂
SJ Smith says
Now I really am grateful to my mom and her doctor. He put her on flouride when pregnant. in the 1960’s. I know they don’t do that now, but apart from yellow teeth… they’re strong and healthy. No cavities until my 40’s, and even those I suspect a change in body chemistry or something in our water supply at the new home.
I’m sure your family will make your Christmas a true blessing. Enjoy them while they’re young! Maybe they can put on a Christmas pageant in your room for you or something?
Jodee says
I had this done a number of years ago to my front tooth. Long story and 70 stitches later, I had a temporary tooth in place while I waited for the fancy finished one.
At the time I was teaching school and was at the white board giving the lesson when the temporary tooth came loose, shot across the room, and landed on a student’s shoe. True story – I couldn’t quit laughing as I thought of what my little 5th grade darlings would tell their parents that night… All said and done, the implant was truly worth it!
Laura says
I just had 2 screws put in today. It seriously took 15 minutes to put the screws in and quite a few hours for the numbness to wear off. I’ve only taken the Advil so far. Its not that bad. It was a great excuse to stay in my pj’s today and just lay around. Can’t wait to be able to eat right again.
LaToya says
I love it when you talk about your crappy British teeth. I had great teeth all my life. Had braces later in life. And then my teeth started falling out. Now I have one that came out in a noticeable spot. And I need the implant or the bridge thing. It’s like crazy money – $4K-$6K. I ain’t got that. I am looking at all those reward credit card options to see about doing it that way. Wherever I can double dip instead of just make payments. Ugh. Would be so much easier if we didn’t eat. Or smile. 😐
Mavis Butterfield says
I asked the oral surgeon if they offered a cash discount and they said no. So I am charging my surgery and getting airlines miles. Seems silly to me since they have to pay a credit card fee. Whateva.