Going Under the Knife - Dental Diatribes

Last Wednesday, I ventured to The Big City for my dental implant surgery. My very kind neighbour who is also a nurse accompanied me so she could drive me home.

First, dental impressions were made - both the squishy type,

Waiting to have impressions made.

and then the digital type. 

Then a CT scan of my head was done. This newfangled equipment was the reason my dentist referred me to this clinic outside of my home area.

I opted for 'conscious sedation' (midazolam) administered by IV, hence the need to have a driver take me back home. I am very glad I eschewed stoicism and chose sedation for the procedure. I was somewhat awake but really have no recollection of what went on in my mouth during the procedure. I still was given a local anaesthetic at the site with a needle but under sedation I had no memory of that.

I was given a lovely, warm blanket,

then drifted off to La La Land.

After the surgery, Ernest was given my broken and now extracted tooth. (The 25)

My nurse (whose name I don't remember) posed with us afterwards.

Susan skillfully got us home. Using the $$407$$ made it a very quick, traffic-free ride.

Once home, we climbed into bed to take it easy for the rest of the day. Scooter was home to monitor me post-op.

As recommended, I iced my cheek 30 min on 30 min off for the rest of the day. When the freezing came out I only felt some throbbing and an extra-strength acetaminophen tablet took care of that. There was no swelling, bruising, or pain after that. 

I had a follow-up call two days later and will have another call with the clinic next week. I'll go back in 4 months for the final checkup, then the new tooth will be installed. No chewing on the left side of my mouth 'til then.

I'm submitting the dental claim to my insurer by mail so it will be interesting to see what parts of the procedure will be covered (by 80%). 

The week before my surgery, another tooth broke on the other side (the 45 - what is with my second bicuspids???). It is not on the lingual side so I don't feel it and the broken edge isn't sharp enough to lacerate my cheek. I'll visit my regular dentist next week to begin the process of getting a crown on that tooth. My dental plan allows for one crown per year and my last one was April of 2025 (I forget which tooth) so they should cover half of this one.

As an FYI, Canadian dentists number teeth within quadrants of the mouth from top right around to bottom right and from front to back. You will impress your dentist and their receptionist if you refer to the correct tooth when booking an appointment. 

The aforementioned teeth in question are circled and the purple indicates their absence or damage. Sorry if this is TMI. The numbering system is not difficult. I don't know why dentists don't explain it to their patients more frequently.

Aside from this interruption in my usual goings-on, we're doing fine.