Oral Surgery is over

SASH
SASH Member Posts: 421 Member

Well they did the procedure to uncover my implant and put in temporary posts.  Surgery went well but they did some additional work where they increased the area in front of my lower gums to allow a better fit of the implants.  They cut between the lower gums in front and put in a skin graft from my leg.  Then put a splint over this to hold the graft in place.  Everything seems to be healing well, but it was clear liquids until Friday and surgery was on Monday. 

I go back to the surgeon on 3/29/16 to see how everything is looking and they should be removing the drain from my leg.  Then 2 weeks after that, they will remove the splint from inside my mouth.  Another week of healing and then they will start making the permanent implant.  So teeth in the near future for me.

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Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    Outstanding News Sash

    Sash, 

    I remembered that you were scheduled for some surgery around this time of the year. Thank you for keeping us in the loop with your progress. This gives hope to those that have lost their teeth due to radiation/ saliva loss. 

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    MarineE5 said:

    Outstanding News Sash

    Sash, 

    I remembered that you were scheduled for some surgery around this time of the year. Thank you for keeping us in the loop with your progress. This gives hope to those that have lost their teeth due to radiation/ saliva loss. 

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    Saw your question about it in Chat

    Marine I saw that you were questioning it in Chat so I thought I would post here until I can actually sit with a laptop in my lap and be in chat.  

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    Thanks for the update SASH

    Hope all goes well and you're able to take advantage of your new set of teeth soon!

    Barbara

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    SASH thanks for the update.

    You have been through a lot, but the implants will be really good for you. They will fit so much better than dentures.  I got sick from eating at a resturant that didn't clean correctly and got trench mouth, Trench mouth, also known as necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG). Painted my teeth and gums purple and tossed all toothbrushes away. Damaged the teath and they all got fractures, so I had to have dentures at 28. Now the bone has worn down over 36 years. With inplants you won't have that problem as they can screw in and lock in place. What they can do now days is so much better. Please keep us all updated. Thoughts and prayers.

    Bill

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Sash

    Wow that is great news, just asking are they going to do any HBO treatment to help with healing.

     

    Tim

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    Hondo said:

    Hi Sash

    Wow that is great news, just asking are they going to do any HBO treatment to help with healing.

     

    Tim

    No more HBO

    I did 28 dives before the original surgery with 10 after that surgery. This surgery was to uncover the posts. it was more extensive than I was first told but I trust the doctor and his knowledge of maxillary surgery. He needed to increase the space between the front of my gums and front of my mouth which is why s surgery was more difficult to heal from. But I did go back to work 2 days after the surgery. 

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    SASH said:

    No more HBO

    I did 28 dives before the original surgery with 10 after that surgery. This surgery was to uncover the posts. it was more extensive than I was first told but I trust the doctor and his knowledge of maxillary surgery. He needed to increase the space between the front of my gums and front of my mouth which is why s surgery was more difficult to heal from. But I did go back to work 2 days after the surgery. 

    Glad to hear you are doing ok

    This has been a tough road, I know, Sash.

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    Created a Porno at the Dentist's office yesterday

    Well the old Porno cliche happened yesterday.  Went to the dentist to have mouth checked as a 1 week post op visit.  The first thing I had to do was drop my pants.  Surprised

    They removed the bandage/drain from my leg and now want it exposed to the air so it heals.  Splint is nice and solid and comes out in 2 more weeks.  Three stiches are holding it in place so they just need to snip those and pull it out.  They will also clean up some of the skin graft that is under the splint  as this is normal for the healing process.

    One week after that, I go back and have the temporary abutments removed and the real ones installed and adjusted so they can do the impression for the plate.  Then it is on to sending to the lab for the making and designing of my new chompers.

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    SASH said:

    Created a Porno at the Dentist's office yesterday

    Well the old Porno cliche happened yesterday.  Went to the dentist to have mouth checked as a 1 week post op visit.  The first thing I had to do was drop my pants.  Surprised

    They removed the bandage/drain from my leg and now want it exposed to the air so it heals.  Splint is nice and solid and comes out in 2 more weeks.  Three stiches are holding it in place so they just need to snip those and pull it out.  They will also clean up some of the skin graft that is under the splint  as this is normal for the healing process.

    One week after that, I go back and have the temporary abutments removed and the real ones installed and adjusted so they can do the impression for the plate.  Then it is on to sending to the lab for the making and designing of my new chompers.

    nice report

    Sounds like you are progressing as well as can be expected.  Remember to say O C F between bites of steak! lol

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    donfoo said:

    nice report

    Sounds like you are progressing as well as can be expected.  Remember to say O C F between bites of steak! lol

    A little Hicup

    Well saw the surgeon on Tuesday and he took out the splint and cleaned up the skin graft.  So that part of the schedule was right on track, but he wants to let things heal a bit longer before he releases me to have the teeth made.  So I go back on April 26 for hopefully a final follow up and a release to the dentist who will be making the implants.  If he releases me, then a week later, the impressions will be started, if not, a little more time before teeth.

    It has been so long at this point, what is a couple of extra weeks.

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    SASH said:

    A little Hicup

    Well saw the surgeon on Tuesday and he took out the splint and cleaned up the skin graft.  So that part of the schedule was right on track, but he wants to let things heal a bit longer before he releases me to have the teeth made.  So I go back on April 26 for hopefully a final follow up and a release to the dentist who will be making the implants.  If he releases me, then a week later, the impressions will be started, if not, a little more time before teeth.

    It has been so long at this point, what is a couple of extra weeks.

    The next follow up coming on Tuesday

    I have, hopefully, my last follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday.  I am planning on going to the dollar store and getting a strand of hair extension so when he comes in, I will have that hanging out of my mouth. 

    I just can't wait to see his expression when I ask, the best way of dealing with the growing hair from the skin graft.

     

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    SASH said:

    The next follow up coming on Tuesday

    I have, hopefully, my last follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday.  I am planning on going to the dollar store and getting a strand of hair extension so when he comes in, I will have that hanging out of my mouth. 

    I just can't wait to see his expression when I ask, the best way of dealing with the growing hair from the skin graft.

     

    Laughter can be the best medicine!

    You sound like quite the prankster, SASH. My husband goes to the dentist on Friday to get two more fillings to go with the 4 he had filled the last time. Radiation and xerostomia are just so damn damaging to the teeth! I think he would be in even worse shape had he not already had qiute a bit of work done pre-cancer diagnosis. The enamel on his teeth was eroding so several years before the cancer he had to have a number of implants and caps. Those seem to be doing okay. It was the "natural" teeth that took a hit with the cancer treatment.

     

    Barbara

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    Barbaraek said:

    Laughter can be the best medicine!

    You sound like quite the prankster, SASH. My husband goes to the dentist on Friday to get two more fillings to go with the 4 he had filled the last time. Radiation and xerostomia are just so damn damaging to the teeth! I think he would be in even worse shape had he not already had qiute a bit of work done pre-cancer diagnosis. The enamel on his teeth was eroding so several years before the cancer he had to have a number of implants and caps. Those seem to be doing okay. It was the "natural" teeth that took a hit with the cancer treatment.

     

    Barbara

    Not healing as expected

    I hit another hurdle today.  I'm not healing as expected so 2 weeks of medication to try and promote healing.  If that doesn't work, they will do a blood draw in two weeks and infuse it with something and then implant that back into my mouth to hopefully allow the healing to complete.  If that doesn't work, I don't know the next step.  This is my greatest fear, doing all this work and actually not being able to get the teeth I'm so desperate for.

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    SASH said:

    Not healing as expected

    I hit another hurdle today.  I'm not healing as expected so 2 weeks of medication to try and promote healing.  If that doesn't work, they will do a blood draw in two weeks and infuse it with something and then implant that back into my mouth to hopefully allow the healing to complete.  If that doesn't work, I don't know the next step.  This is my greatest fear, doing all this work and actually not being able to get the teeth I'm so desperate for.

    SASH

    putting you at the top of the prayer list...you sure as heck deserve a break.

    Barbara

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 617 Member
    SASH said:

    Not healing as expected

    I hit another hurdle today.  I'm not healing as expected so 2 weeks of medication to try and promote healing.  If that doesn't work, they will do a blood draw in two weeks and infuse it with something and then implant that back into my mouth to hopefully allow the healing to complete.  If that doesn't work, I don't know the next step.  This is my greatest fear, doing all this work and actually not being able to get the teeth I'm so desperate for.

    So Sorry

    Well, that's not what we wanted to hear! From your descriptions it seems you are getting top-notch care. It is amazing how much they can do. Hopefully the medication will kick in so you will be sporting a new set of choppers soon. You'll be in my prayers. 

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    I'm healing

    Latest update from Tuesday's appointment.  The bone is still exposed but more than 50% of the area that was exposed 2 weeks ago has new tissue over so the medication is working.  He upped the dosage of the Meds and gave me 20 more days worth.  But on May 31st, I have an appointment with the one that will be making my teeth to have impressions done.  He will fill her in and stop in to check that I am healed and can proceed.

    I will have teeth and will be able to eat solid food again. 

  • Bunnymom
    Bunnymom Member Posts: 212 Member
    edited May 2016 #18
    Excellent news

    Yours is a wonderful story of hope and resilience. Would more HBO be in order to help facilitate healing if need be? I just started HBO for pain. 

    best to you 

    Bunnymom

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    Bunnymom said:

    Excellent news

    Yours is a wonderful story of hope and resilience. Would more HBO be in order to help facilitate healing if need be? I just started HBO for pain. 

    best to you 

    Bunnymom

    More HBO

    I think I am on my way without more HBO.  I'm not sure if more would help, but this is a much less expensive way of healing.  I'm sure if he thought itwould help, he would sugggest it.  Most HBO treatments go by the Marx Protocol and the surgeon that I am using is Dr. Marx, the one who wrote the HBO protocol along with many studies on bone grafting in highly irradiated areas of the oral cavity.  So he does know what he is doing.

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    SASH said:

    I'm healing

    Latest update from Tuesday's appointment.  The bone is still exposed but more than 50% of the area that was exposed 2 weeks ago has new tissue over so the medication is working.  He upped the dosage of the Meds and gave me 20 more days worth.  But on May 31st, I have an appointment with the one that will be making my teeth to have impressions done.  He will fill her in and stop in to check that I am healed and can proceed.

    I will have teeth and will be able to eat solid food again. 

    SASH if anyone deserves some chompers

    it's you! I hope you continue to heal and that you can eat some solid food again soon.

    Barb K

  • kdot2003
    kdot2003 Member Posts: 143
    Praying

    Praying for your teeth and healing!!!