By the time I returned to my dentist things had changed. For one, I was getting pretty agitated that I had paid around $2000 and was still hurting. Plus my Dentist of forty years was retiring so I was transfered to the other Dentist in the office. He wanted to try another trim on my bite to see if it would take off the pressure. So I let him try that but returned within a couple of weeks complaining again. What's going on, I asked. Lets do a new x-ray on a new machine he had just purchased. Its called a full-cranial cone-beam CT. I was around a hand full of his patients to have this done since it was so new to his office and they had just trained on it. It was really strange, I even teased the dental assistant that every time it circled my head, which was about six times, that I could hear "Cha Ching".
Back in the chair, talking to the Dentist and getting to see photos of my jaw bone and teeth, he confirmed what I was dreading to hear. "You have a crack in the bone". Pull the sucker then, I told him. He said he would but that because it was the only molar left on my left side that I couldn't have a bridge or partial which wouldn't hold. It would also cause my top teeth later down the road to get cavities or more crowns. Long story short, he talked me out of going toothless.
Things were explained on what I needed and dates made to see a colleague in Shreveport , a Dental Surgeon. So I kept the appointment with the surgeon and he went through an exam and would you believe it... Another CT of my jaw. Yep, he had the same updated technology. "Cha Ching, Cha Ching". Dr. Baker explained what he would be doing and what to expect. I would come back on the date we made which was yesterday. He called in two Valium to my Pharmacist for me to take one hour before the surgery. My youngest daughter drove me and was my keeper for the day. After I arrived and was settled in the surgical chair, the surgeon gave me several shots. I had opted out of being put under to sleep and that was why the Valium. I don't do drugs well at all! In just a short time it really became a blur. I really didn't even know the world was turning. In my stupor I must have asked for a few selfies as you can see.
Dr. Baker, pulled my tooth, cleaned out the bone in the jaw, replaced some of my bone with a cadaver bone, and then inserted a Titanium screw. He then closed with a few stiches. I will go back next week to see how things are going. Antibiotics and pain meds for at home. Soft foods only for three months while my bone grows with the cadaver bone. I have Osteoporosis so more precautions will be taking to make sure it doesn't crack or move while fusing together and healing.
My Titanium Screw $2486
When three months has passed I will return to my Dentist where he will build me a new tooth that will be built by the Itero Digital Impression System that my Dentist now has. No more gunk in the mouth or impressions. Wont have to wait and return to have it put on. Its built right there in the lab and I will leave with in placed on that Titanium screw. Who knew I would be going through all this six months ago. That new tooth will cost me another large amount .."Cha Ching, Cha Ching".
Oh, and those two Valium I took...Remember I told ya'll that I don't do drugs of any kind good. They effect me in a weird way. I left that day with my daughter, who drove us to get a smoothie since I hadn't had anything to eat and now couldn't. I don't remember that al all. She took photos of me in the car, asleep and snoring. When she took me home, I fell down in my walk in closet but my husband helped me up and I wasn't hurt. I took my new prescribed meds and lay down. Didn't even know the day was passing until later. But I can take it, cause I am Titanium now.
No comments:
Post a Comment