That's what getting an implant should be called...the waiting game. It takes forever. First they pull the remaining vestiges of your old tooth. Then there is the bone graft with time for it to take. Next there is the implant surgery itself. More time for it to heal. Next exposing the graft and a temporary cap is put on. More waiting for healing. The next step will be another fitting for the crown. Then the waiting for the crown to come back from the lab. After that the fitting, etc..... None of the above steps included all the times I had to go down there to have the pontic (fake tooth that is affixed to the teeth on each side of it) put back on because one wrong bite and it would pop off.
Today, I had the implant exposed and a temporary cap put on. I'm going to the dental school at UAB in Birmingham. It is a learning school which is good because the process is cheaper....and bad because they are learning, ie...slow. Nice people, good school, excellent dental work...just slow. Today, I laid practically upside down from 1:45 to 6 pm.
OY VAY!
It's a slow process Stevie but it will be worth it. My friend got implants 5 years ago and she literally has a smile on her face ever since.
ReplyDeleteMe, I am terrified of dentists and have to be dragged screaming there. My greatest fears are Lightning, Flying and ... Dentists.
Wow. When you're in a dental chair a minute becomes several hours, which means, according to my calculations, you were standing on your head for 52 hours and 14 minutes and 37 seconds. Looking at it logically like that, it's a miracle you survived.
ReplyDeleteSounds like False Teeth would have been easier. I hope you like it when it is all over with. I will be curious to hear.
ReplyDeleteOh ya... Hubby has been going through this process for what seems like forever. He says that October SHOULD be when he actually has the tooth in his mouth. Sheesh....
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GAH ... maybe you can get some earbuds and listen to music while you are practiced upon
ReplyDeleteI have spent a lot of time in a dental chair the past few years. I feel your pain! I know you will be happy when the process is complete and you are in your car driving home!
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I need to have this same thing done, and I've been putting if off because it's just so expensive. Maybe I should check out the dental school>? Thanks for the tip, Stevie.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your description, but no dentures are not easier. I've been dealing with my mom and her dentures, what a pain in the a..And follow up visits are necessary and all. I too am anxious to know if you'll like this. This is the route I want to take.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all that...my ex husband is a dentist -so I empathize with having to spend all that time in the chair! Love your pumpkin illustration!
ReplyDelete...I just commented on your previous post before I read this and was trying to warn you about how long the whole process takes! I had a glitch by getting an infection so it took even longer than usual...but now I am happy to have gone through it all. Hope you're feeling well....
ReplyDeleteBeing at the dentist is one of my least favorite things in the world - though, in the last five years, I've found the nicest dentist of my life. He is truly wonderful.
ReplyDeletei have one implant at the top front of my mouth and it was worth all the hassles and waiting and money- but alas i have just had to have a partial denture for the bottom teeth, no money for more implants.
ReplyDeleteI have an implant molar and it took a year for the procedure to be done. I don't regret it but I wish it were less expensive...if there is a "next time" I'll try a dental school.
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