Wednesday 25 March 2015

The Dental Saga Continues

So after my visit to the restorative dentist, I then went to my regular dentist for my regular 6 month check up.

My dentist tells me I have enamel loss in 3 teeth...the 2 back molars and a premolar.

She said she could fill them, it would take 15 minutes but she wanted to see what the restorative dentist said.

Now, I'm beginning to wonder, was all this worth it? Was all the braces and surgery worth it to restore one tooth when recovery from surgery was hard, it took its toll on my physical and mental health and NOW, all my teeth are wobbly and I'm facing 4 or 5 fillings?

Fast forward to yesterday, 24th March 2015 and I'm back at the restorative dentist to get, what I thought, was the second filling.

Poor man, I had a list of questions and stuff to cover.

First up, my teeth are still wobbly. That's been 5 weeks since I had my braces off and if anything, I think my top central incisor is more wobbly.
He tells me not to worry too much about it, they have the backup plan of implanting it need be (and actually that will give a better aesthetic finish if they have to do a double implant). He explained that my roots are definitely shorter than they were before I started treatment.

Second, I tell him about the enamel loss my dentist picked up. He wondered why my dentist didn't just fill them but then I explained that she wanted to know what he said first.
So then he thought I could just go to the dentist and get them filled because, understandly, that is basic dentistry and he was concerned with restorative. Fair enough.
Then he looks through my notes and sees that my dentist is out of town and decides that instead of me having to travel to get the fillings done, he'll do them instead.

Third, I ask if there is anything they can do about my top central incisor and top right lateral incisor which have been chipped with the brackets of my braces.
That he could fix! So that was a case of taking out what looked like a burr with a disc on it and he just gently filed the tooth. It's now a bit squint but maybe only I am noticing that. But it looks better than it did.

Fourth, I ask if there is anything in my notes about max fax seeing my 6 months post op. I could swear when I saw them immediately post op that they had said they would see me 6 months post op. I remember at the time thinking 'oh my goodness, I've just had this big op and you don't want to see me for 6 months...that's ages away!'. But with it being so close to my surgery, by now, I wasn't sure if I had remembered that right.

The dental nurse didn't seem too happy that I had asked, and was totally like 'you need to phone max fax yourself'. Fair enough, I can easily phone (if someone will give me the number) but I'm not sure if they said 6 months or not. That was all I was really looking for. I wasn't asking them to DO anything about it, other than check my notes.
Cue a conversation with receptionist and still not really any clearer on that topic.

Finally, I asked if I would be allowed to go to my GP to get some diazepam or something to help calm me down before my implant. Considering how I was after the local anaesthetic for one filling, I'm really not looking forward to spending 90 minutes in the chair for the implant.

I have always had a fear of the dentist and it's only been in the past couple of years that I've been able to go to the dentist for a checkup without fainting. Give me an injection and I'm always in a heap on the floor.
So on discussion with the restorative dentist, having seen what I was like after he did the filling last month, he said he did wonder if I should get something.
He thinks I'm an ideal candidate for IV sedation. He's doing a course in it at the moment.
He will discuss this with his senior and will let me know when I go back for my 3 fillings.

He took impressions so they can make guides (or something) for when I get my implant done and for making me a blown denture. A blown denture will be like my retainer but will be better for the healing process after the first stage of implant. He didn't do the filling I was expecting.


Now some pics









5 comments:

Isabel said...

You're looking great! I'm pretty jealous too.. I'm sure your teeth will settle in no time!

Anita Campbell said...

It seems that there are some lingering issues with the condition of your teeth, some of which may be too small to be immediately detectable. In any way, I hope that you are getting all the right treatments and medications that will help you. Those pictures seem to show good progress, and I hope that continues on. Thanks for sharing that, Fay! All the best to you!

Anita Campbell @ Throgs Neck Dental

Jon Mack said...

I can only imagine how confusing it must’ve been for you, but I hope things will clear up sooner or later. That being said, visiting the dentist could be very scary, and even some adults still dread the visit to one. But I hope things turn out fine for you. Thanks for sharing this with us. Take care!


Jon Mack @ Gentle Dental Online

mine az said...

You look so pretty without teeth braces. I hope all your teeth problems will get sorted out soon! Why don’t you consult my family dentist Redondo Beach? He really provides excellent dental treatment and at affordable prices.

Christy Hodges said...

It really takes so much courage for some people to visit the dentist. I'm glad that you are brave enough to do so, regularly. Anyway, it seems that you are encountering some problems with your teeth, but I believe those will be solved soon enough, just continue to follow your dentist's advise. Your teeth are already looking good, by the way. In any way, thanks for sharing that, Fay! I wish you all the best!


Christy Hodges @ Smile Designers