Getting Ready for the Move...It's surgery time

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Thu May 05, 2011 12:49 pm

Well folks the trip is over and the move to Oz will be happening in late July. Now comes the fun part, I had a couple of months ago had a root canal and had known there was a problem with the adjacent molar. During the trip to Oz the molar got worse and developed an infection. During this past week it has gotten quite painful.

After a visit with the dentist and then oral surgeon we determined that not only was the molar having problems, but so were the molars on either side affecting a total of 3 teeth including the one with the root canal and the jaw bone supporting those teeth.

For the infection I was given azithromycin a 'Z pack' which you take for 5 days. Overall it has definitely caused GI issues. I have not had any antibiotics since the MC and Crohns diagnosis.

Before the trip I was anticipating having to get one implant but now the plan is to have all 3 molars pulled and have that section of the jawbone removed and replaced with bone from my right hip. The surgery is at the hospital and is scheduled for 11am this Friday.

The reason the jaw bone needs to be replaced is that it shows to be very porous and of 'poor quality' to be able to sustain the implants. This apparently is something that can be seen with IBDs like MC or Crohns. I think in my case I have had a history of very low vitamin D and it has been thought that with my Crohns disease presenting in the jejunum I probably have not been absorbing nutrients correctly for some time.

It's amazing I have not have had any dental problems my whole life until now. I have had only one cavity which was one of the molars that is having a problem.

While this will not be a fun process, I am looking forward to getting this completed before the move, so I am viewing this as one more step along the way.

Wish me luck... I am going to need it... And yes Nurse Nestle is at the ready

Joe

irisheyes13 · Post by **irisheyes13** » Thu May 05, 2011 1:02 pm

Wow Joe, that sucks out loud.

I'm sorry to hear you have to go through something so unpleasant like this. These IBD's can really wreak havoc with our entire system, huh?!

It's good that the surgeon and dentist as well as yourself are on top of it and didn't attempt the implant with the porous bone area. Is the plan to move forward with an implant after the bone has had a chance to heal? It's amazing how quickly they are getting you in and taking care of it.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow. :angelpraying:

Post by **tex** » Thu May 05, 2011 1:21 pm

Best of luck with the surgery, and I hope that you recover quickly.

Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Thu May 05, 2011 1:22 pm

Joe,
I'm so sorry! That sounds like a fairly complex surgery. I hope the recovery is not too bad. We take our teeth for granted for so long, then one day...whamo! Major dental work! Definitely not what you needed in the midst of a move either!

I'll be praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Do you have to stop the Imuran for infection control/prevention?

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Thu May 05, 2011 1:24 pm

Joe- My thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Hugs,

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Thu May 05, 2011 1:57 pm

Wow Joe - what a curve ball!!!!! So very sorry you have to go through this before your move. The time frame for such extensive work seems quite tight, but knowing you and your fabulous attitude, I'm sure it will work out fine

.

Love,
Kari

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Thu May 05, 2011 1:58 pm

Geez, Joe - I'm so sorry you have to go through this, but it's great you're getting it out of the way before the big move.

My husband had a mysterious 'hole' in the jawbone, and had a similar process done using a product made (in part) of human bone. I hope you have similar luck - his was less of an ordeal than we had expected. I would feel more comfortable with my own bone, I think, though I realize they have to do something to get that bone where you need it.

Fervently wishing you an easy procedure, and a speedy recovery, with minimal effects other than a little extra Nestle-nurturing.

You'll be in our thoughts tomorrow.

Love,
Sara

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Thu May 05, 2011 2:13 pm

Well thanks for the encouragement, I will have to say I am not too worried or nervous about this, it's just something that has to be done. It really is just another step to be completed in order for the move to be successful.

In the end I won't have to worry about those teeth...

I forgot to mention earlier that I found out that my dentist has mc (lc) and even crazier he sees the same GI doc that I do, although I should note that there are only a small number of GI docs in that town. It really is a small world sometimes. He however does not see the connection between diet and mc and feels that meds can make all things normal again.

Thanks again for the encouragement

Joe

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Thu May 05, 2011 2:22 pm

Last month I got my last crown on my second molar implant. I have been messing with crowns and the implants and sinus lifts for about 3 1/2 years and hope I am finally done! I thought my work was extensive.. but bone implant...WOW!!!!!!

Good luck with your surgery!
grannyh

hazel · Post by **hazel** » Thu May 05, 2011 2:30 pm

Sorry to hear you have to do this. I can sure relate to the pain of an infection! It is awful! Good luck with the surgery and remember to take your probiotics!
:bigbighug:

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu May 05, 2011 2:46 pm

Ouch! I guess it's a good thing that you're having this taken care of by a dentist that is familiar with you, rather than looking for someone in Oz. But what an ordeal! I hope you recover quickly and don't get set back by the antibiotics.

How intersting that your dentist sees the same GI you do for his MC, but doesn't see a connection between it and diet. There are many people who leave this board as quickly as they join it because they don't want to resolve their MC by diet.

Gloria

Stanz · Post by **Stanz** » Thu May 05, 2011 3:17 pm

Oh, Joe, that doesn't sound like much fun, I'll be sending you good thoughts tomorrow.

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Thu May 05, 2011 4:27 pm

Oh, Joe, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. I thought implants were an extensive and drawn out process. Best of luck for a successful surgery.

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Thu May 05, 2011 4:33 pm

Good luck, Joe! Will be thinking of you!

Pat

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Thu May 05, 2011 5:11 pm

Wishes that all goes well, Joe, both with your teeth and your move.
Deb