Sunday, March 16, 2008

It Seems I Was Right...

All these years. I had a good reason to not want to go back to the dentist, even though I didn't know the real reason.

After the x-rays and initial examination, the dentist brought in this nifty tray that looked something like one of those whitening trays except metal, and a lot more ominous. He filled it with a pink putty that tasted faintly of mint but had the texture of overcooked pudding, and made a mold of my mouth.

Some of you are realizing where this is going.

I know now (because I was drugged to within an inch of unconsciousness at the time) that during the examination he discovered that somehow, I managed to get nerve damage in the top of my mouth. He couldn't tell exactly where or what caused it at this point, but he's betting on one of those inept dentists that I've been to before.

The result of this nerve damage was that my teeth were dead. Improper nerve function basically made my body think they weren't there from the gum out, so my body did nothing to maintain them. According to the x-rays the roots were still good, which he told mom (me druggy, remember?) was a really good thing, since from the looks of it the damage had spread, and could possibly have spread into my jaw.

So, when I went back Thursday, on the happy pills again, he sat me in the chair and I firmly believe performed a miracle with a needle, because I actually got numb right away.

He then proceeded, with his son, to pull all fifteen of my upper teeth. They're gone, poof, no more.

I've spent the last three days pretty much constantly knocked out on vicodin, swallowing blood, and trying to eat when I'm not out cold.

Oh, and trying to learn to deal with a big chunk of basically the same stuff they use for fake fingernails in the top of my mouth.

Given what the doc said, I'm glad I did it. I hate this, but I would have hated bone grafts on my jaw worse.

I'm still pretty druggy right now, although I cut back to half a vicodin this morning and that's starting to wear off. It's really frustrating to not be able to eat anything that isn't pretty much mush, and on top of that I'm still swallowing a little blood. I'm spitting as much of it as I can out but I haven't really figured out all the nuances to spitting with the new teeth yet. So, the blood makes my stomach a little upset, and the vicodin adds a little to that, so I can only put so much down there before it goes "ok no more."

So, readers, now you know. Now you know why I've been silent on here, and why I was kind of reluctant to discuss what they thought they'd have to do. I mean, come on, what 23 year old has to get dentures? Not the happiest point in my life.

But a part of my life nonetheless. Onwards and Upwards, as they say.

Or maybe that last part is the vicodin talking... I'm not really sure.

16 comments:

Kate said...

Oh. My. God. You are so brave. I hope you feel better soon and I'm glad you're glad you did it. Good for you, kid. Are you in a lot of pain? I go to the dentist on Thursday for a consult to get my widsom teeth out. You inspired me to make an appointment; I haven't been in like 3 years (I'm 21.) Anyway, hang in there!

Mark said...

I am praying you get better. A friend of mine has had dentures since high school, her teeth were just that bad. she says the only things she really hates about them is being unable to eat certain foods. And for the nausea from the pain meds and blood, I've always had good luck with eating a little bit of cheese on a cracker.

GeorgeH said...

I'm getting there toth by tooth due to old age.

Bone grafts, titanium implants and individual porcelain teeth are difinitely the way to eventually go. They are better looking, stronger, longer lasting than real teeth and never get hot or cold sensitive, or decay.

The problem is that the damned things cost about $4,000.00 each.

Try to save to have them done 3 or 4 at a time.

FarmGirl said...

Thanks, guys.

Equine_05- I'm only in pain when I let the vicodin wear off. It's getting better every day but frankly, they ripped fifteen teeth out of my head, and all of the roots were in good condition. Not to mention freaking huge I swear a couple of those things were rooted in my frontal lobe.

Mark- Um, dude, I celebrated today because I was able to maul egg noodles into submission, and Farmmom specifically made them really thin and cooked them tender. Crackers and cheese are not an option for a while.

Georgeh- Yeah I'd love to get the implants, just as soon as I win the lottery. In the mean time I'm gonna be discussing magnetic implants with my dentist, cause my gums are small anyway, and I *really* don't want them to pop out if I get bucked off or something. I've woken up from more than a few nightmares featuring that.

Christina RN LMT said...

I'm so sorry, Farmgirl.
You're extremely tough and brave to make this decision and go through with it, my hat's off to you!

Simeron Steelhammer said...

Having had a bad run myself health wise these last few months, I can sympathize with how you must be feeling. I'll add a prayer to the long list for you also to see if we can get the Master Healer working for your better health. Can't hurt.

As for the "happy pills" just remember what Bill Ingval (not sure I spelt that right) says...

"Half a Vicoden and a Bahama Mama and the world is BEAUTIFUL, at least, until it wears off. Then take the other half with another Bahama Mama and BE HAPPY!"

heh

Murphy said...

Heh, those dentist drugs are no joke. I came to once at a pharmacy to discover that I was hitting on a light pole.

She wasn't amused...


Glad to hear that you're getting better, farmgirl.

Anonymous said...

Oi.. yes.. silence most understood. Hang in there, darlin, and get me the listings of your previous dentists, I'll make a special trip out your way.

*hugs and lots of love*
-J

Crucis said...

Start saving for those implants. YOU REALLY WANT IMPLANTS!!

Removal dentures should be temporary. They'll have to be redone every so often since your gums and jaw will continue to change. Implants will almost be like your own teeth being set permanently into your jaw.

Yes, it is surgery. But you've come this far, complete the journey.

Anonymous said...

I was on the frozen yogurt and lo mein diet when my front teeth were removed.

Save your pennies. The dentures were ok but not a permenant solution.

Best of luck to you.

Anonymous said...

I'll say a prayer and go pee on the front door of the first dentist's office I find. Rotten Bastios.

Good dentists are great. Bad dentists are the reason people hate dentists. (and there are too many of the bastios)

Jon

Anonymous said...

I feel for you, girl. I have HORRIBLE teeth. At the age of 26, I've had 4 root canals and more cavities than I can count (easily 20+). I go to the dentist every six months and I can't tell you the last time I didn't have a cavity at one of those appointments. This is despite brushing and flossing everyday.

My DH, on the other hand, NEVER takes care of his teeth, and his teeth are perfect. I think I am going to eventually need a whole mouth full of implants too, not fun! I wish you luck.

timtitan said...

You have my sympathy. I managed through bad luck to crack one of my front teeth in half when I was 19. It couldn't be fixed back on as the front teeth are two thin, and I spent a while with dentures at 19. I have a titanium Implant now. the pain passes, and its much better to have it done than not. But still, ouch!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you've been to the same dentists my grandmother went to. One of them convinced her to have all of her teeth pulled when she was only 30. "Because," he said, "They will only give you trouble at some point in the future. And your teeth are a little yellow, anyway."

Yeah, like 40 or 50 years from then. She lived to be in her 90s.

Feel better soon. At least you saved yourself some major nastiness down the road. Good thing you went to the dentist!

Anonymous said...

I hope you are looking into having the previous dentist (or his malpractice insurance company) pay for all the work you need, including implants.

FarmGirl said...

Farmist, because I waited so long to do anything about it, the dentist can't tell where it started, so there's no telling which dentist actually did it.

Trust me, if I could prove which one did it, I'd have their butts up on malpractice in a heartbeat. But, it didn't work out that way.