Yep, that's me today!
I found out yesterday that I probably should go the route of a dental implant. I have a space where there was never a permanent tooth, and once the baby tooth fell out a bridge was put in. The bridge has been fine for 30 years (very unusual I hear) but has now caused one of the teeth supporting it to deteriorate - it has recently needed a root canal and can no longer safely support a bridge.
It is not so much the surgery that makes me nervous, although I am a little worried because it will require a sinus "lift". It is the medications I apparently will need. The dentist recommends several days of decreasing dexamethasone (4 mg initially) to reduce the swelling, antibiotics (I think he will allow me to take the Z -pack), Celebrex for the first few days, and possibly Ativan the day of surgery to reduce anxiety (I need something - usually get nitrous oxide, because I am a basket case at the dentist's - I even hate cleanings). Although he is certifed to use IV sedation, I'd prefer not to use that outside of a hospital setting.
I take no meds at all other than vitamin D, so the thought of taking all of these together makes me anxious. I know I should feel lucky that I am basically healthy, but MC has a way of making us think twice about all of this. I definitely need to start a probiotic again.
Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts. I'm scheduled for March 6.
Love,
Polly
Grumbling and Whining
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Grumbling and Whining
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
-
barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 5394
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:11 pm
- Location: New York
Ditto----and sorry for what U have to go thru--sis~~~and a SINUS LIFT!! 
---I hope everything goes smoothly----
My dentist and entire office are the funniest peoples---guess it is their way of relaxing US!!!
Deep BREATHING!!!!!!
luve Barb
PS. was wondering the same as Tex posted???
---I hope everything goes smoothly----My dentist and entire office are the funniest peoples---guess it is their way of relaxing US!!!
Deep BREATHING!!!!!!
luve Barb
PS. was wondering the same as Tex posted???
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
-
kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Hi Polly,
I remember they suggested I start taking heavy doses of ibuprofen several days before mine. I told them about my MC and I think they said it was okay to try it withou the NSAID. I don't remember a lot of pain or swelling. Granted mine was a bottom tooth. But maybe be prepared to take the celebrex afterwards if it is bothering you, but trying it without? If your dentist will allow it? I think I just took tylenol. I might have taken a vioxx or 2...I think that's what I had at the time for menstrual cramps.
Katy
I remember they suggested I start taking heavy doses of ibuprofen several days before mine. I told them about my MC and I think they said it was okay to try it withou the NSAID. I don't remember a lot of pain or swelling. Granted mine was a bottom tooth. But maybe be prepared to take the celebrex afterwards if it is bothering you, but trying it without? If your dentist will allow it? I think I just took tylenol. I might have taken a vioxx or 2...I think that's what I had at the time for menstrual cramps.
Katy
Polly,
Bummer, for sure. A sinus lift? On top of an implant? That sounds like pretty serious stuff.
Are there any other options? How about bridging to the tooth adjacent to the weak one?
I know this is heresy, (and I freely admit that I'm the world's most fervent procrastinator), but I think that I would have to give some serious thought to the option of just skipping it, and taking my chances, in the long run.
I certainly hope that whatever you choose to do, goes smoothly, with no adverse side effects or aftereffects.
Love,
Tex
Bummer, for sure. A sinus lift? On top of an implant? That sounds like pretty serious stuff.
Are there any other options? How about bridging to the tooth adjacent to the weak one?
I know this is heresy, (and I freely admit that I'm the world's most fervent procrastinator), but I think that I would have to give some serious thought to the option of just skipping it, and taking my chances, in the long run.
I certainly hope that whatever you choose to do, goes smoothly, with no adverse side effects or aftereffects.
Love,
Tex
Hi Polly,
I hate to add to the anxiety but a few weeks ago my naturopath started treating someone who had this done and then removed because of facial pain on the side of the implant. Unfortunately, the pain continued even after the removal. I am sure one can find an example of every procedure going wrong but better to think of alternatives before you make a decision. I am sure you are one to do your homework, but wanted you to be aware. I second Tex...hope all goes well.
Love,
Cristi
I hate to add to the anxiety but a few weeks ago my naturopath started treating someone who had this done and then removed because of facial pain on the side of the implant. Unfortunately, the pain continued even after the removal. I am sure one can find an example of every procedure going wrong but better to think of alternatives before you make a decision. I am sure you are one to do your homework, but wanted you to be aware. I second Tex...hope all goes well.
Love,
Cristi
Hi Polly,
I had an implant done on November 30th. I went into the periodontist with a failed root canal that was infected.
I had had prior problems with antibiotics causing C-DIFF, so I didn't want to take an antibiotic. At the end of the appointment, I told the dr I would take the antibiotic if that is what he recommended.
I called a couple days before the surgery and asked if I should take any antibiotic or pain pill. I was told no that everything would be provided at the appointment. When I arrived at the office the receptionist told me I didn't need to take antibiotics, that it really wasn't that big of a deal.
I asked if she was sure, and she said that was what the dr said.
That was the first mistake. We both should have known that if I already had an infection I should take an antibiotic!!!!!
The dr did the extraction and then an immediate implant with boney augmentation, and a temporary on top of that. I couldn't do a flipper because I have mandibular tori. (Boney bumps on the floor of my mouth.)
This is what I was told.
I was not told that I should do the implant in stages, as you were.
I was told the longer I waited the more bone I would lose.
I had so much pain the whole month of Dec. that I was in bed with an ice pack. The pain meds did't touch it. I'm guessing because of the infection.
The implant went in on Nov. 30 and 5 days later I was in so much pain I went in to the dr and he put me on antibiotics. After that round we thought the infection was gone, but it wasn't, and I went on 10 days of clindomycn every 6 hours. This didn't get rid of the infection either. While I was on the antibiotics I took two of my probiotics every thim I took the antibiotic and had no trouble with c-diff. That was the only success I had!!!! My implant came out last Sunday.
The dr blamed me every step of the way, because I didn't take the antibiotics in the beginning. I have terminated care with him, but he won't refund all of my 3000,00 less the extraction which cost 234.00.
He says he is intitled to that money. He will decide how much his service + the implant itself are worth and get back to me. I told him that was not acceptable to me and I would respond to him by letter.
I am exploring my options, at this point I never want to go through that again!!!!!!!! I want to see if I can get some bone growth and find someone who will make me a flipper.
I hope this helps you. Just don't have an immediate implant on top of an infected site!!!! The infection needs to be cleared up, let the site heal, then have boney augmentation and let that heal. Then when that is healed go in and put the implant in and let that heal. Use a flipper not a temporary and the go to the dentist who will put the permant tooth on top of the implant. That is what I have been advised now.
For what it is worth I think it is a big mistake to put something like those implants into your body. I really do not want to do that again. I take the failure of mine to say my body didn't want it there.
Love, Kathyp
I had an implant done on November 30th. I went into the periodontist with a failed root canal that was infected.
I had had prior problems with antibiotics causing C-DIFF, so I didn't want to take an antibiotic. At the end of the appointment, I told the dr I would take the antibiotic if that is what he recommended.
I called a couple days before the surgery and asked if I should take any antibiotic or pain pill. I was told no that everything would be provided at the appointment. When I arrived at the office the receptionist told me I didn't need to take antibiotics, that it really wasn't that big of a deal.
I asked if she was sure, and she said that was what the dr said.
That was the first mistake. We both should have known that if I already had an infection I should take an antibiotic!!!!!
The dr did the extraction and then an immediate implant with boney augmentation, and a temporary on top of that. I couldn't do a flipper because I have mandibular tori. (Boney bumps on the floor of my mouth.)
This is what I was told.
I was not told that I should do the implant in stages, as you were.
I was told the longer I waited the more bone I would lose.
I had so much pain the whole month of Dec. that I was in bed with an ice pack. The pain meds did't touch it. I'm guessing because of the infection.
The implant went in on Nov. 30 and 5 days later I was in so much pain I went in to the dr and he put me on antibiotics. After that round we thought the infection was gone, but it wasn't, and I went on 10 days of clindomycn every 6 hours. This didn't get rid of the infection either. While I was on the antibiotics I took two of my probiotics every thim I took the antibiotic and had no trouble with c-diff. That was the only success I had!!!! My implant came out last Sunday.
The dr blamed me every step of the way, because I didn't take the antibiotics in the beginning. I have terminated care with him, but he won't refund all of my 3000,00 less the extraction which cost 234.00.
He says he is intitled to that money. He will decide how much his service + the implant itself are worth and get back to me. I told him that was not acceptable to me and I would respond to him by letter.
I am exploring my options, at this point I never want to go through that again!!!!!!!! I want to see if I can get some bone growth and find someone who will make me a flipper.
I hope this helps you. Just don't have an immediate implant on top of an infected site!!!! The infection needs to be cleared up, let the site heal, then have boney augmentation and let that heal. Then when that is healed go in and put the implant in and let that heal. Use a flipper not a temporary and the go to the dentist who will put the permant tooth on top of the implant. That is what I have been advised now.
For what it is worth I think it is a big mistake to put something like those implants into your body. I really do not want to do that again. I take the failure of mine to say my body didn't want it there.
Love, Kathyp
Kathy,
Wow! Sorry you had such a bad experience, but thanks for relating it, and offering your insights. I agree with you 100% - I have never been in favor of implants, but I can't really advise against them, because I have never had one, (and never will).
I have a number of friends who swear that they would never have another rood canal done, either, after having a miserable experience with the first one. My personal opinion is that root canals and implants were invented by dental professionals, in order to boost them into the high income bracket that most other medical specialists enjoy, (fillings and extractions don't pay enough to allow them to live the lifestyle they crave). Even when those procedures don't turn out to be a disaster, (for the patient), the clock is ticking, as the tooth slowly deteriorates anyway, (or the jawbone below it). IOW, they have a limited service life.
I hope you can get a decent settlement from your doc. Since he approved doing it without the antibiotics, he should be paying you for all the pain and suffering, not grabbing the money and running with it. Based on the final result, his services weren't worth much, IMO.
Love,
Tex
Wow! Sorry you had such a bad experience, but thanks for relating it, and offering your insights. I agree with you 100% - I have never been in favor of implants, but I can't really advise against them, because I have never had one, (and never will).
I have a number of friends who swear that they would never have another rood canal done, either, after having a miserable experience with the first one. My personal opinion is that root canals and implants were invented by dental professionals, in order to boost them into the high income bracket that most other medical specialists enjoy, (fillings and extractions don't pay enough to allow them to live the lifestyle they crave). Even when those procedures don't turn out to be a disaster, (for the patient), the clock is ticking, as the tooth slowly deteriorates anyway, (or the jawbone below it). IOW, they have a limited service life.
I hope you can get a decent settlement from your doc. Since he approved doing it without the antibiotics, he should be paying you for all the pain and suffering, not grabbing the money and running with it. Based on the final result, his services weren't worth much, IMO.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
annie oakley
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3859
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
This post really brought some flashbacks for me!!!
Jack & I went out to Iowa to my daughter's for Thanksgiving. While there, I developed a toothache underneath a tooth that had a root canal and a crown put on it.. Went to the ER at Iowa Hospital and they prescribed Vicodin to get me out of pain until we could get back to Ohio.
Got home and immediately made an appt. with our dentist. He took and xray and proceeded to tell me that I needed to see a perio specialist. He set up an appt. for me for the next day. Go to the perio and I'm informed that I have bone loss going on under the tooth that was giving me pain. Told me he could do a procedure that required a small incision, and put a type of gel down in there that would regenerate the bone... And he told me that if I worked, I could go back to work the same day!!!!
This is where the nightmare began!!!!!! Going on his word, I'm thinking it's going to be a peice of cake!!!! NOT!!!! After taking off the crown he found that the tooth was cracked in 3 places, so he cuts the tooth out and cleans the incision site, and treats it with an oral antibiotic, put this gel in there before he stitched me up!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!! When the novacaine wore off, I was in so much pain, and I have a very high tolerance to pain, that I was in tears.. He prescribed Tylenol 3, which didn't touch the pain, plus made me throw up.. Finally, Jack was so po'd that he called the perio at home and told him to call me in some Vicodin. Cost????? 2 Grand.... And now I'm minus a back tooth, and numerous appts. to see if this procedure is doing what it is supposed to be doing, regenerating the bone loss. Any appt. now, there is another fee!!! These rechecks are not included in the initial fee.... I'm sorry, but I feel any dental costs are totally out of hand.. But, they know they have you buy the arse because it's either have done what they are advising or have all of your teeth pulled out and end up with dentures... This perio has already brought up about an implant an nope, not gonna do it....
I don't mean to add to your anxiety Polly, but this is what I have experienced!!!!!!
Love
Dee~~~~~
Jack & I went out to Iowa to my daughter's for Thanksgiving. While there, I developed a toothache underneath a tooth that had a root canal and a crown put on it.. Went to the ER at Iowa Hospital and they prescribed Vicodin to get me out of pain until we could get back to Ohio.
Got home and immediately made an appt. with our dentist. He took and xray and proceeded to tell me that I needed to see a perio specialist. He set up an appt. for me for the next day. Go to the perio and I'm informed that I have bone loss going on under the tooth that was giving me pain. Told me he could do a procedure that required a small incision, and put a type of gel down in there that would regenerate the bone... And he told me that if I worked, I could go back to work the same day!!!!
This is where the nightmare began!!!!!! Going on his word, I'm thinking it's going to be a peice of cake!!!! NOT!!!! After taking off the crown he found that the tooth was cracked in 3 places, so he cuts the tooth out and cleans the incision site, and treats it with an oral antibiotic, put this gel in there before he stitched me up!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!! When the novacaine wore off, I was in so much pain, and I have a very high tolerance to pain, that I was in tears.. He prescribed Tylenol 3, which didn't touch the pain, plus made me throw up.. Finally, Jack was so po'd that he called the perio at home and told him to call me in some Vicodin. Cost????? 2 Grand.... And now I'm minus a back tooth, and numerous appts. to see if this procedure is doing what it is supposed to be doing, regenerating the bone loss. Any appt. now, there is another fee!!! These rechecks are not included in the initial fee.... I'm sorry, but I feel any dental costs are totally out of hand.. But, they know they have you buy the arse because it's either have done what they are advising or have all of your teeth pulled out and end up with dentures... This perio has already brought up about an implant an nope, not gonna do it....
I don't mean to add to your anxiety Polly, but this is what I have experienced!!!!!!
Love
Dee~~~~~
-
MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Well now that I am facing the 11 extractions and the filing down of the 4 mandibular tori and then the plate put right in on top of that bloody mess, I feel just great. This is next Wednesday.
Dentists are definitely my friends and have had a number of horror stories but this is the best: Need a root canal and a crown, 1 year later sorry we now need to pull one eather side so we will make a bridge, opps 2 years later bone loss so pull 1 more and now the bridge won't fit so we make another. Abouit 6 months later I got the we will pull one more routine and I had it at that point and said pull them all and give me a plate. It has already cost thousands and I consider it money thrown away since everything was superceded by the next procedure.
Love, Maggie
Dentists are definitely my friends and have had a number of horror stories but this is the best: Need a root canal and a crown, 1 year later sorry we now need to pull one eather side so we will make a bridge, opps 2 years later bone loss so pull 1 more and now the bridge won't fit so we make another. Abouit 6 months later I got the we will pull one more routine and I had it at that point and said pull them all and give me a plate. It has already cost thousands and I consider it money thrown away since everything was superceded by the next procedure.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
WoW............Horror Stories!!!
I don't know if I'm glad or sad that I didn't hear them early last fall.
The reason I say that is because I had an implant last fall myself. I guess I didn't mention it here. I had no problems. It was in the lower jaw (Polly, a sinus lift (?) makes me shiver with dread). Anyway, it was done in stages. I did take an antibiotic for a few days after the "post" was implanted. Waited several weeks to give my bone a chance to grow solid around the implant. Had a couple of "checkups" in between to make sure everything was going OK. Then attached the "crown". It was a breeze except for having to be really sure I didn't bite down on anything on that side while the healing process was going on. I was warned that the implant would fail if it was disturbed at all.
The reason I had it done..........I have had a bridge spanning 2 teeth for many many years. There was some years after losing the teeth and the placement of the bridge so the space had closed to about 1 1/2 tooth size. I should say I have had 3 different bridges. The first was removed because of a small cavity in one of the supporting teeth.
The second came loose in the back. There was only one tooth supporting the bridge in back (two in front). Replaced that bridge. It wasn't all that long ago. The last bridge also came loose (same tooth). It was going to cost me 4,000 to replace the bridge and I was hating to do that because I figured it would just come loose again in a few years.
Anyway, my dentist cut away the span in the bridge. Cleaned and recemented the cap for the back tooth. I had the implant done all for less than the bridge would have been and
hopefully the implant will be permanant.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience. I hope I did the right thing given my choices. I couldn't just do nothing because of mising teeth on the other lower side also.
They have told me that I could have bone graft and an implant on that side also, but I haven't given the go-ahead on that. Thought I wait and see how this one pans out.
Maggie, I'd like to know how you make out with your extractions and the rest of it, including getting used to it etc.
Polly, keep us updated.
Love, Shirley
I don't know if I'm glad or sad that I didn't hear them early last fall.
The reason I say that is because I had an implant last fall myself. I guess I didn't mention it here. I had no problems. It was in the lower jaw (Polly, a sinus lift (?) makes me shiver with dread). Anyway, it was done in stages. I did take an antibiotic for a few days after the "post" was implanted. Waited several weeks to give my bone a chance to grow solid around the implant. Had a couple of "checkups" in between to make sure everything was going OK. Then attached the "crown". It was a breeze except for having to be really sure I didn't bite down on anything on that side while the healing process was going on. I was warned that the implant would fail if it was disturbed at all.
The reason I had it done..........I have had a bridge spanning 2 teeth for many many years. There was some years after losing the teeth and the placement of the bridge so the space had closed to about 1 1/2 tooth size. I should say I have had 3 different bridges. The first was removed because of a small cavity in one of the supporting teeth.
The second came loose in the back. There was only one tooth supporting the bridge in back (two in front). Replaced that bridge. It wasn't all that long ago. The last bridge also came loose (same tooth). It was going to cost me 4,000 to replace the bridge and I was hating to do that because I figured it would just come loose again in a few years.
Anyway, my dentist cut away the span in the bridge. Cleaned and recemented the cap for the back tooth. I had the implant done all for less than the bridge would have been and
hopefully the implant will be permanant.Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience. I hope I did the right thing given my choices. I couldn't just do nothing because of mising teeth on the other lower side also.
They have told me that I could have bone graft and an implant on that side also, but I haven't given the go-ahead on that. Thought I wait and see how this one pans out.
Maggie, I'd like to know how you make out with your extractions and the rest of it, including getting used to it etc.
Polly, keep us updated.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Well........................................you have all certainly given me a lot to think about. And here it has taken me months to even get to the point of considering the implant. Of course, I have googled everything I could think of (even "dental implant horror stories"), but I appreciate hearing about your personal stories.
My oh my, just reading about the experiences of Kathy, Dee, and Maggie is enough to give me nightmares. And I seem to be one who always has the worst case scenario when it comes to the dentist - it is more complicated or takes much longer or "whatever".
I'll be doing lots more thinking. One thing I am going to do today is bump up the appt. another mo. while I think some more.
Thanks, good buddies.
Love,
Polly
My oh my, just reading about the experiences of Kathy, Dee, and Maggie is enough to give me nightmares. And I seem to be one who always has the worst case scenario when it comes to the dentist - it is more complicated or takes much longer or "whatever".
I'll be doing lots more thinking. One thing I am going to do today is bump up the appt. another mo. while I think some more.
Thanks, good buddies.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Shirley,
Our posts crossed! Thank you so much for sharing your story - it is a relief to know that someone had a positive experience. I know that upper implants are trickier - take twice as long to heal, etc., but it is reassuring to hear your success story. Did you need to take a steroid? Also, what kind of anesthesia did you use? How long before you could chew on that side?
Love,
Polly
Our posts crossed! Thank you so much for sharing your story - it is a relief to know that someone had a positive experience. I know that upper implants are trickier - take twice as long to heal, etc., but it is reassuring to hear your success story. Did you need to take a steroid? Also, what kind of anesthesia did you use? How long before you could chew on that side?
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
-
kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
I don't remember being on an antibiotic. I had a bunch of scripts that I don't remember if I filled all though, so I might have. Mine also on the lower jaw. baby tooth was extracted, then after that healed, they put the titanium post in . Then after that healed, I got the cap. I had no problems and not much pain at all.
Good luck with your descision Polly. I'm sure you'll be fine.
Katy
Good luck with your descision Polly. I'm sure you'll be fine.
Katy