Well I’ve had it done! Thank you for all your good wishes in comments to my previous post. The implant is in my jaw now, and yes that is that is the actual implant and my x-ray after the op. But I’m not entirely out of the woods just yet. I have to go there again tomorrow to have the temporary bridge put back in, then again on Monday to check everything is okay, then again on Friday to have the crown (fake tooth) screwed into the implant which acts as a fake root.
The whole operation took about two and a half hours, but it was pretty much painless aside the stretching of my upper lip which was more uncomfortable than painful. The most bizarre bit was when the dentist was actually hammering the implant into my jaw with a small hammer! That felt like it should really hurt, but it didn’t. About half way through I requested some more anesthetic because I could feel the roof of my mouth, and from that I figured that it wouldn’t be long until it started wearing off where all the gory stuff was happening.
On the request of a couple of strange people who I think wanted to see me in pain, and for my own curiosity, as well as dental records, one of the dentists photographed the whole thing. Maybe I’ll be able to bargain the $3200 fee down a little if I let them use the pictures on their website.
I would have posted pictures here but some of them are pretty bloody and gruesome. But for those who, for whatever reason, might want to see some pictures from this torrid affair you can see them online right now!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 2, 2006 at 3:01 pm
No, I shouldn’t set off metal detectors. I don’t think it’s big enough to do that. :-)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 2, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Dude, that is disgusting to look at! I love that you posted them! Get better soon, and do ring me when you can talk again. :-)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 2, 2006 at 6:29 pm
It’s 4:22am. The promised swelling hasn’t appeared yet which makes me think it may very well not. In fact there isn’t even any bruising as yet either. It’s a little tender right now, so I’ve just dropped a couple of major codeine tabs into a glass of water and turned it into tonic.
I’m not in pain, I’m just not entirely comfortable. I feel rather like one might feel when sobering after a drunken bar fight with a man whom it would have been better to show a little more respect to. For now though I shall down my tonic, close my eyes and dream until tomorrow.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 2, 2006 at 2:47 pm
oh man…that is so intense. i get to have that done soon…i hate teeth!!!!!!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 2, 2006 at 2:56 pm
gross. are you going to set off metal detectors now? :)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 4:39 am
Ugh. Cow bone. That is Udderly bizarre.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 7:56 am
This was a lot LOT more than root canal. Root canal is a simple little thing that takes no time at all really. I had it done on this very tooth before it had to be removed entirely. I’m just wondering, was it not clear that this wasn’t root canal? Did the screw like thing in my jaw not maybe give you a clue? :-D
No, this was major dental surgery. A two and a half hour operation that required drilling a hole about and inch and a bit deep in my jaw bone, then hammering the titanium implant (pictured above) into the jaw. Two titanium pins were there also placed into my jaw to hold stuff in place.
Now I appreciate you don’ want to look at the pictures, but suffice to say they don’t cut away and pull back your gum, insert metal objects into your bone preeminently, hammer, stitches, or do bone grafts on you when you have root canal.
There is a crown involved in the procedure, but that comes next Friday when the mild swelling has gone down, the wounds have healed and the stitches has gone.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 8:16 am
I didn’t really research it – more really I wanted to understand what was going to happen. Plus, my dentist really explained stuff well. They wanted to make sure I was well informed too.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 6:54 am
OMG….I have been putting off my inevitable dental procedure. I am supposed to get all veneers…similiar procedure to yours. What you got was a root canal and crown? Its supposed to make my smile “perfect” I unfortunately have an overbite and grind my teeth in my sleep. I have been putting it off because I can’t bare to think that most of my natural teeth will be gone….so since you are the “king” of research….I think you should do some research on breast implants….since you have a majority female following. Now thats an upgrade/procedure that might be worth the pain.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 3:22 pm
I couldn’t resist – I had to go look at your pics. EEEEEWWWWW! You are a brave man.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 7:59 am
BTW…the above comment about implants….just a joke. “Americans” always want bigger and better. I am a little brave these days….the finality to my tenure to the terrotist is in the works….making me a little too giddy. ha ha :) Unless you really are intrested in the subject go ahead. My research these days is limited to what classes i am taking…and yes I am a blog addict. I waste too much time reading blogs and so I should keep my mouth shut and get back to studying :) Hope you are feeling better.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 8:05 am
Sorry…I admit it…I was too lazy to read the entire thing …I realize you took alot of time to research and post all that info. I was flying thru everyones page that i am subscribed to and just read thru the good parts.(codeine tonic and the implant pic) pardon. :)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 3, 2006 at 3:43 pm
My friend Will says the fact that I had the pictures taken is weird but putting them on the web was “strangely twisted” he said! :-)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 4, 2006 at 4:31 pm
Hmmm I’m not sure I want to take a look at those pictures…but I’m glad that the procedure turned out well. :)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 4, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Being bionic in some way comes at a price. My face is still swollen on the right side and I look like I have a new nose! This will pass in the next few days I’m sure.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 4, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Well, that fits, sine YOU are “strangely twisted.” haha ;-) Hope you feel ok!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 5, 2006 at 3:30 pm
OMG Awesome pics! Love you for posting ’em! Hope you’re feeling better, surgery sucks ^_^
Wrote the following comment on Feb 6, 2006 at 6:22 pm
I looked at the pics, and I think I held my breath the whole time. Have mercy.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 7, 2006 at 8:04 am
It was painless I assure you :-)