Tuesday, August 02, 2005
The Implant Surgery
I had my implant surgery on July 20, with Dr, Schwartz and Dr. Bloom. They opened up the gum where I am missing the tooth, inserted the implant (a titanium sccrew), then closed me back up. The screw is to be under the gums and not visible. The procedure was rather nerve-wracking, as I was incredibly nervous as usual. Even though there was very little pain, the knowledge of what they are doing really got to me. First there was the injection, then the cutting and scraping, and the worst part was the actual drilling, much havier than anything I had done before. There were X-Rays taken before, during and after. I wore and played my iPod throughout the procedure. I swear I could feel that pin going in, but Dr. Schwartz says that is impossible. Twice I asked for more novocaine, so I had three doses in all. At the end, she sewed me back up. She says I did have some bone grafting, but that my own bone tissue was used for that. (I will need to confirm this with her on our next visit.) I was given prescriptions for an antibiotic and some extra strength ibuprofen to keep the pain and swelling down. Before I left, Dr. Schwartz checked my positioner to see that it was not pushing on the implant site. That was OK, but she didn't like the way it was pushing on other areas of my gums, so she sent me down to see Dr. Weinstein, so that he could adjust it.
Follow-Up on the Implant
I had a follow-up with Dr. Schwartz on July 27, one week after the surgery. She said that she is "very pleased" with the way the tissue looks. She did not cut out any of the stitches, instead she said they would come out on their own. I subsequently cut some of them out myself, and today they are all out. The site seems to have healed quite well. Now we wait to see if the implant is succcessful. I go back for an Xray in early September.
The Positioner, and My Last Appointment With Dr. Weinstein
I continue to wear the positioner as much as possible. I had my last appointment with Dr. Weinstein on July 26, and he says that everything is fine. I expressed concern to both him and Dr. Han that my two front right teeth keep moving about when I am not wearing the positioner. I wish this were more stable. They said this sort of thing is normal, and that I should continue with the positioner for 8 more weeks. They may add a permanent retainer to my uppers in the future. I would not like to wear that, but I might feel better about the whole thing if I knew those teeth were going to stay put. Since Dr. Weinstein is graduating, I will now see Dr. Sukoff. My next visit with him is scheduled for Sept. 8.
I had my implant surgery on July 20, with Dr, Schwartz and Dr. Bloom. They opened up the gum where I am missing the tooth, inserted the implant (a titanium sccrew), then closed me back up. The screw is to be under the gums and not visible. The procedure was rather nerve-wracking, as I was incredibly nervous as usual. Even though there was very little pain, the knowledge of what they are doing really got to me. First there was the injection, then the cutting and scraping, and the worst part was the actual drilling, much havier than anything I had done before. There were X-Rays taken before, during and after. I wore and played my iPod throughout the procedure. I swear I could feel that pin going in, but Dr. Schwartz says that is impossible. Twice I asked for more novocaine, so I had three doses in all. At the end, she sewed me back up. She says I did have some bone grafting, but that my own bone tissue was used for that. (I will need to confirm this with her on our next visit.) I was given prescriptions for an antibiotic and some extra strength ibuprofen to keep the pain and swelling down. Before I left, Dr. Schwartz checked my positioner to see that it was not pushing on the implant site. That was OK, but she didn't like the way it was pushing on other areas of my gums, so she sent me down to see Dr. Weinstein, so that he could adjust it.
Follow-Up on the Implant
I had a follow-up with Dr. Schwartz on July 27, one week after the surgery. She said that she is "very pleased" with the way the tissue looks. She did not cut out any of the stitches, instead she said they would come out on their own. I subsequently cut some of them out myself, and today they are all out. The site seems to have healed quite well. Now we wait to see if the implant is succcessful. I go back for an Xray in early September.
The Positioner, and My Last Appointment With Dr. Weinstein
I continue to wear the positioner as much as possible. I had my last appointment with Dr. Weinstein on July 26, and he says that everything is fine. I expressed concern to both him and Dr. Han that my two front right teeth keep moving about when I am not wearing the positioner. I wish this were more stable. They said this sort of thing is normal, and that I should continue with the positioner for 8 more weeks. They may add a permanent retainer to my uppers in the future. I would not like to wear that, but I might feel better about the whole thing if I knew those teeth were going to stay put. Since Dr. Weinstein is graduating, I will now see Dr. Sukoff. My next visit with him is scheduled for Sept. 8.
