opera^gal's story

[opera^gal]

Yes, each retainer after the initial set, is not included in the original payment for orthodontic treatment. Luckily, each of the clear ones <so far> I got a break $-wise, as they are done in house. The hawley replacement<s>, will not have that advantage, but MIGHT be covered by my new dental insurance <which did NOT cover the implant/graft >.

[drgnchsr36]

Ugh, that bites. Ok, I'm being lame - but why did the insurance not cover it? Cosmetic?

[opera^gal]

I believe that is their argument, yes.

[opera^gal]

Called the office today to see if I could move up my suture removal appt, and they said 'yes', so a week from today, the nasty lil porcupine stickers will be out, gone, hasta la vista!!!

[drgnchsr36]

I guess there's no use arguing that one with insurance. :/

Good luck at your next appt! Hope all goes well!!

[jensceana73]

Been gone for a while..but glad to see everythings coming along fine. You had me wincing at your discription of the procedure. I would have needed a valium. Probably 2. I'm to have this done inside my mouth (da) at some point down the road. Yippee for me. After reading your experience...it makes me wonder how people do it that have to have several done. Yowzeepaloza!! Maybe I should go for a wooden tooth..... superglued in.

Good Luck with the suture removal.....

[opera^gal]

jen..I have to believe that getting an implant for a molar is much less a big deal to worry about..my fella had one a few years back with no whoopdeedoo at all. So don't start carving that wooden tooth just yet. Glad to hear things are good at home with your family!! Welcome back to AW!

[opera^gal]

So, I figured out why I heard the implant doc say the sutures were self-absorbing aka dissolving...had 2 of them disintegrate today, leaving a piece of the material floating around like a spare bit of shredded wheat cereal. I spat it out the first one, thinking...ok..no big deal...and not an hour later..another one! Who knows what I'll find in the morning...no sutures at all and some magic tooth built by the shoe elves perhaps??? I can see the doc on Thurs when I go in for the 'removal' appt...'umm, where are they?'...'Well, they sorta..kinda..turned into breakfast cereal, so I got rid of them'...yeah, that is SURE to go over well

[opera^gal]

This afternoon, a couple more sutures came out on their own . I believe I only have one left, and that one isn't even attached anyone on one side..holy heck!!

[opera^gal]

I woke up this morning, and appear to be suture free . Not sure if that was what was supposed to happen, but when I see the doc on Thurs, I'm sure he'll let me know. Feels strange, and still swollen, unless that is the bone graft under the gum, doing it's thing.

[opera^gal]

All good news at the implant doc check up today. For only 2 wks out of surgery, everything looks 'A+' according to him. He felt around a bit, to see about my concerns about swelling here and there, and he said it's all normal, and to expect things to continue to shrink down over the next month or so. As far as what to wear to fill the gap while I continue to heal and wait..he suggested a flipper <single fake tooth on a retainer type acrylic plate>, making sure there was no pressure on the healing tissue. Got an appointment to have the implant 'uncovered' and the post screwed in, first part of August..not really that far away. Said if I had any concerns or questions, to call and he's see me asap.

When I got home, I took a look at the clear vacu-formed retainer with the original toothus fakimus from the ortho, and thought 'hey, I can try to modify this so it doesn't press on the healing tissue..and if it is an epic fail, I couldn't have worn it *as is* anyway'. A couple snips with cuticle nippers and a little filing of the bottom of toothus fakimus and VOILA!!!...it fits perfectly!!! No need to shell out more cashola for another device. It was t-i-g-h-t going in, as my lowers had shifted slightly without wearing a retainer for 2 wks, but it's all good now !

A side note: my fella went to the dentist yesterday....yanno the one... with the troublesome lab who couldn't get the bridge right in both colour and fit for me.......well....apparently he's DUMPED that lab, as they also screwed up a few other projects along the way...I feel vindicated, that I was NOT the crazy, problem patient who couldn't be satisfied..HA!

[opera^gal]

Stopped by the dentist today, as he wanted to take a peek at how I was healing. He agreed that everything looked great, so that was good to hear. Will go back to him in a month or so, to work on the sensitivity issues on the adjacent teeth that have material on the lingual side. I mentioned the type of injections I had with the implant doc, and the dentist made a note in my file, for the next time he needs to get me numb.
One funny note: while I was waiting, I heard the dentist talking to another patient about HER issues with the color of a crown, and how the NEW lab will definitely get it right THIS time around. She came out, and I had to hide my snickering.

[opera^gal]

The portion of the gum that will eventually be covered by the final crownus fakimus, looks totally normal now..3 wks post surgery..the swelling there is gone and it is back to a natural shape and colour..yay! Lower down, things are still a bit out of sorts, but that should join the normal zone eventually.

[opera^gal]

Been just over a month since the implant surgery. The lower portion of tissue still seems swollen and a touch sore, but I am still hoping that will chill out as time passes. Headed back to the ortho in a little over a week, for a retainer check. Not much *feels* like it needs tweeking, but she always seems to find something to bend with her lil magic pliers, just to ensure I feel it . I do plan on raiding their toothbrush drawer, as I can't find the 'good kind' out there in the regular world...maybe some wax as well, 'cause you can never have too much wax

[opera^gal]

Saw the ortho for a retainer adjustment this morning. I explained how I was getting some tight spots back and forth between the lower hawley and the clear/toothusfakimus retainer, so she said to stick with the clear from now on and after the implant is completed, I'll get a new hawley anyway. She tweeked the springs on my top hawley, SO MUCH, that I couldn't put it back in..whaa? . Couple more twisty turns with the magic pliers she wields and it was tighter but still able to fit into my mouth without a fulcrum and lever. I was complimented on being a compliant patient when it comes to retainer wear, which is always nice . I go back in another 2 months for another peek, then again after the implant in uncovered, so they can fiddle around with the clear retainer so I can wear it over the exposed post during healing. She talked about a type of tooth-colored paint/acrylic they can use in the clear retainer, in place of toothus fakimus, to give the illusion of a tooth, but keeping room for the post. I'd imagine that by September, I'll have new retainers, a new crown on the implant post, and be D-O-N-E with all this....until the next retainer adjustment (how about 6month intervals? love you guys but I'm sick of lookin' at ya! )