The Post Is In

Some of you know, others may not. I had my fourth, and HOPEFULLY last, dental implant yesterday morning. I took the day off of work, and Richard drove me to Wichita Falls. As with all of the other procedures, I took two Ativan (concious sedation drugs) and settled in for a long nap. I'm telling you, I would almost have more teeth done if I could get to take that stuff...you sleep literally like a baby...undisturbed, peaceful, restful sleep! Ahhh....

Anyway, a dental implant is basically where a titanium rod is drilled into the bone and then your gum is stitched closed and left to heal. The bone must heal for 4-6 months and then an abutment with a porcelaine crown is screwed into the female end of the implant. It is expensive but is totally worth it because the alternative is a bridge which is very inconvenient.

All of this dental work is the result of a bad car accident when I was 9. I had to have plastic surgery on my face and reconstructive oral surgery. Since then, I have dealt with many issues, mainly with my teeth. It's funny because the side that endured the trauma of the accident is the only side I have trouble with...so we know my problems stem from the accident and not something else.

I slept all the way home (with the exception of a stop at McDonald's for a vanilla milk shake and some french fries) and then when we got home around 2:45 Rich put me in bed and I slept until 9:00. I got up for three hours, and went back to bed around 12:00 and slept all night! I was back at work this morning and have only had mild pain and swelling (I think from having to talk all day and teach). Woo-hoo!