Today, after several years of trying to postpone it, I finally got started with the scary dental implant procedure that I've been needing to get for awhile.
It was quite the experience involving a powerful anaesthetic, the oral surgeon, two assistants, and even a representative of the company that manufactures the special implant I was getting. Apparently getting an implant in the upper back molar is particularly complicated, since there isn't much bone up there to fuse the post of the implant to. So the surgeon was using a new procedure that involves lifting up of the sinus area, packing it with fake bone, drilling into the bone, putting in the metal post and cap and then suturing it all up later.
The anaesthetic was quite effective, I must say. The main difficulty was keeping my mouth open that entire time and twisting it around so that the surgeon could do his magic. The first post was not a good fit, so they had to try a different size, which sort of sucked. And the suturing up at the end seemed to last forever. But the procedure was apparently a success, and I think the most difficult part is over.
Now I heal up for a week, taking some pain meds and antibiotics. I get the sutures out next week. Then we want a few months for the whole thing to heal up. And hopefully in six months or so, he places in the final fake tooth, and we're good to go.
One of the parts I was most dreading was the possibility of being on a liquid diet while I heal up. But fortunately it looks like I simply have to avoid crunchy foods like pizza, fried chicken and popcorn. So I had sashimi and ice cream for dinner tonight. You know, as part of my post-op therapy.
Hope you heal up as quickly as you can.
I had the exact same thing done…strange feeling when they life the sinus..eh?? For the first time in about 3 years I could actually breathe!
The screw which held the temp post came loose at one point and had to be replaced, but other than that…no problems. I have the final now and have had it for over 6 mos.
Best wishes for a quick toothy recovery!
SPELLING FAIL….that should be LIFT not life.
Meh.
I would say the actual screwing in of the post was the weirdest part. Like he had a torque wrench in my mouth, which I guess he sort of did.
I felt like a car in the shop. Vrrt! Vrrt!