My Tooth Implant - Revision history

Anton: /* Random observations after surgery */

2012-07-19T07:26:27Z

Random observations after surgery

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:26, 18 July 2012
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	Overall, I'm impressed by how quickly stuff in the mouth heals up. I'm writing this 9 days after surgery, and it feels like the gums have just about completely healed (though there's probably a lot that happens after the wound ''feels'' better).		Overall, I'm impressed by how quickly stuff in the mouth heals up. I'm writing this 9 days after surgery, and it feels like the gums have just about completely healed (though there's probably a lot that happens after the wound ''feels'' better).

	[[File:Surgery2weeksLater.jpg\|thumb\|2 weeks later. The red marks on the gums are from the scissors used to remove the sutures ~~about an hour before this picture was taken~~.]]		[[File:Surgery2weeksLater.jpg\|thumb\|2 weeks later. The red marks on the gums are from the scissors used to remove the sutures earlier in the day.]]

	July 12-13 (10 days after surgery) I noticed that the sutures that go under the gums to the palate side have become significantly looser. As far as I can tell, they haven't cut through any gum tissue anywhere, so either the sutures have become longer, or the gums have reduced in size. Either way, the benefit is that the knots are now free enough to move away from my tongue. I did have a bit of pain in the area (probably from playing around with the newly-mobile knots), so I took some ibuprofen. I called Dr. G to ask if it's okay for me to remove the loose sutures myself (yes). He said that the slack came from the fact that the gums grew, moving the insertion points of the sutures.		July 12-13 (10 days after surgery) I noticed that the sutures that go under the gums to the palate side have become significantly looser. As far as I can tell, they haven't cut through any gum tissue anywhere, so either the sutures have become longer, or the gums have reduced in size. Either way, the benefit is that the knots are now free enough to move away from my tongue. I did have a bit of pain in the area (probably from playing around with the newly-mobile knots), so I took some ibuprofen. I called Dr. G to ask if it's okay for me to remove the loose sutures myself (yes). He said that the slack came from the fact that the gums grew, moving the insertion points of the sutures.

Anton at 01:30, 18 July 2012

2012-07-18T01:30:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 17 July 2012
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	I wasn't planning on documenting my tooth extraction and implant, but the images Dr. Ghotanian took and the CAT scan are so awesome that I feel compelled to share. Also, I've gotten appreciative emails about [[My Blood Clot\|blood clot page]], which gets visited even more than my home page. Apparently people either like read the experience of somebody who has gone through a similar procedure to theirs, or they find medical images fascinating.		I wasn't planning on documenting my tooth extraction and implant, but the images Dr. Ghotanian took and the CAT scan are so awesome that I feel compelled to share. Also, I've gotten appreciative emails about [[My Blood Clot\|blood clot page]], which gets visited even more than my home page. Apparently people either like read the experience of somebody who has gone through a similar procedure to theirs, or they find medical images fascinating.

	'''Warning:''' Some of the images below are a bit gruesome.		'''Warning: Gruesome.''' Some of the images below are a bit gruesome. If they're not gruesome ''enough'' for you, you can click on them to see higher-resolution versions.

	=Short Version=		=Short Version=

Anton: /* Diagnosis and plan */

2012-07-17T04:32:08Z

Diagnosis and plan

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:32, 16 July 2012
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	[[File:MouthPreSurgery.jpg\|thumb\|400px\|The fistula manifested itself as a little bubble on the gum above the tooth. When this picture was taken, it wasn't very pronounced; I'd been on antibiotics for a few days.]]		[[File:MouthPreSurgery.jpg\|thumb\|400px\|The fistula manifested itself as a little bubble on the gum above the tooth. When this picture was taken, it wasn't very pronounced; I'd been on antibiotics for a few days.]]
	[[File:XrayFistula.jpg\|thumb\|In this x-ray, you can ~~sort of~~ see that there's some resorption of the root. ~~{{todo\|try to find a better image}}~~]]		[[File:XrayFistula.jpg\|thumb\|400px\|In this x-ray, you can see that there's some resorption of the root, and some damage to the bone surrounding the root.]]

	More recently when the tooth started bothering me, I went to my [http://www.pasadenadentalarts.com/ current dentist]'s office to check it out. They said that there was significant [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_resorption resorption of the root] and that I would probably have to get the tooth extracted. They also helped me set up an appointment with the endodontist, who would be able to determine whether the tooth could be saved with a root canal. He said that he didn't think he could do it well; if he did a root canal, he figured it would keep getting infected. Instead, he recommended I get the tooth extracted and get an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant implant] to replace it.		More recently when the tooth started bothering me, I went to my [http://www.pasadenadentalarts.com/ current dentist]'s office to check it out. They said that there was significant [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_resorption resorption of the root] and that I would probably have to get the tooth extracted. They also helped me set up an appointment with the endodontist, who would be able to determine whether the tooth could be saved with a root canal. He said that he didn't think he could do it well; if he did a root canal, he figured it would keep getting infected. Instead, he recommended I get the tooth extracted and get an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant implant] to replace it.

Anton at 22:15, 16 July 2012

2012-07-16T22:15:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 16 July 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
	I wasn't planning on documenting my tooth extraction and implant, but the images Dr. Ghotanian took and the CAT scan are so awesome that I feel compelled to share. Also, I've gotten appreciative emails about [[My Blood Clot\|blood clot page]], which gets visited even more than my home page. Apparently people either like read the experience of somebody who has gone through a similar procedure to theirs, or they find medical images fascinating.		I wasn't planning on documenting my tooth extraction and implant, but the images Dr. Ghotanian took and the CAT scan are so awesome that I feel compelled to share. Also, I've gotten appreciative emails about [[My Blood Clot\|blood clot page]], which gets visited even more than my home page. Apparently people either like read the experience of somebody who has gone through a similar procedure to theirs, or they find medical images fascinating.

			'''Warning:''' Some of the images below are a bit gruesome.

	=Short Version=		=Short Version=

Anton: /* Future */

2012-07-16T21:42:01Z

Future

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:42, 16 July 2012
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	[[Category:Blog]]		[[Category:Blog]]
			[[Category:My_Tooth_Implant]]

Anton at 20:07, 16 July 2012

2012-07-16T20:07:53Z

Show changes

Anton: /* Random observations after surgury but before next checkup */

2012-07-13T21:50:10Z

Random observations after surgury but before next checkup

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:50, 13 July 2012
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	Overall, I'm impressed by how quickly stuff in the mouth heals up. I'm writing this 9 days after surgury, and it feels like the gums have just about completely healed (though there's probably a lot that happens after the wound ''feels'' better).		Overall, I'm impressed by how quickly stuff in the mouth heals up. I'm writing this 9 days after surgury, and it feels like the gums have just about completely healed (though there's probably a lot that happens after the wound ''feels'' better).

	July 12 (10 days after surgery) I noticed that the sutures that go under the gums to the palate side have become significantly looser. As far as I can tell, they haven't cut through any gum tissue anywhere, so either the sutures have become longer, or the gums have reduced in size. Either way, the benefit is that the knots are now free enough to move away from my tongue. ~~However,~~ I did have ~~some~~ pain in the area, so I took some ibuprofen.		July 12-13 (10 days after surgery) I noticed that the sutures that go under the gums to the palate side have become significantly looser. As far as I can tell, they haven't cut through any gum tissue anywhere, so either the sutures have become longer, or the gums have reduced in size. Either way, the benefit is that the knots are now free enough to move away from my tongue. I did have a bit of pain in the area (probably from playing around with the newly-mobile knots), so I took some ibuprofen. I called Dr. G to ask if it's okay for me to remove the loose sutures myself (yes). He said that the slack came from the fact that the gums grew, moving the insertion points of the sutures.

	== Future ==		== Future ==

Anton: /* Random observations after surgury but before next checkup */

2012-07-13T18:36:53Z

Random observations after surgury but before next checkup

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:36, 13 July 2012
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	The anesthetic wore off pretty soon after I got home. I kept some ice on my upper lip for half an hour to minimize swelling, and I regularly took the 800mg ibuprofen I'd been proscribed. Surprisingly, I experienced almost no pain or soreness. I was able to get back to doing math over skype the same day. I eased off the ibuprofen, and completely stopped taking it after two days or so, with no negative consequences. I never took any of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone Vicodin] I'd been proscribed (Dr. G said he didn't expect I would have to).		The anesthetic wore off pretty soon after I got home. I kept some ice on my upper lip for half an hour to minimize swelling, and I regularly took the 800mg ibuprofen I'd been proscribed. Surprisingly, I experienced almost no pain or soreness. I was able to get back to doing math over skype the same day. I eased off the ibuprofen, and completely stopped taking it after two days or so, with no negative consequences. I never took any of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone Vicodin] I'd been proscribed (Dr. G said he didn't expect I would have to).

	The sutures proved to be really annoying~~. Oral surgeons take note: anything you can do to put the knots of the sutures on the outside (as opposed to the lingual side) is greatly appreciated~~. I find it ~~very~~ difficult to avoid poking at the knots with my tongue, trying to push them out of the way somehow. The result ~~was~~ that my tongue ends up stabbed sore by the little ends, making it more eager than ever to get them out of the way so that they don't bother it. Half the time I've worn the temporary tooth, it was to create a barrier between my tongue and the sutures. The knots that are constantly in contact with the inside of my upper lip are completely unnoticable, though I think they're smaller. It's possible that moving all the knots to the outside could only have happened at the expense of not being able to wear the temporary tooth. If I could travel back in time and be given this option, I would take it.		The sutures proved to be really annoying. I find it difficult to avoid poking at the knots with my tongue, trying to push them out of the way somehow. The result is that my tongue ends up stabbed sore by the little ends, making it more eager than ever to get them out of the way so that they don't bother it. Half the time I've worn the temporary tooth, it was to create a barrier between my tongue and the sutures. The knots that are constantly in contact with the inside of my upper lip are completely unnoticable, though I think they're smaller. It's possible that moving all the knots to the outside could only have happened at the expense of not being able to wear the temporary tooth. If I could travel back in time and be given this option, I would take it.

	I thought my saliva had gotten slimier, but I'm now quite sure the slime was being produced by the wound. I'm not sure what role this sliminess served in the healing process. I did notice a definite peak in slime production about a day before I finished the antibiotics (~4 days after the surgury).		I thought my saliva had gotten slimier, but I'm now quite sure the slime was being produced by the wound. I'm not sure what role this sliminess served in the healing process. I did notice a definite peak in slime production about a day before I finished the antibiotics (~4 days after the surgury).

	Overall, I'm impressed by how quickly stuff in the mouth heals up. I'm writing this 9 days after surgury, and it feels like the gums have just about completely healed.		Overall, I'm impressed by how quickly stuff in the mouth heals up. I'm writing this 9 days after surgury, and it feels like the gums have just about completely healed (though there's probably a lot that happens after the wound ''feels'' better).

			July 12 (10 days after surgery) I noticed that the sutures that go under the gums to the palate side have become significantly looser. As far as I can tell, they haven't cut through any gum tissue anywhere, so either the sutures have become longer, or the gums have reduced in size. Either way, the benefit is that the knots are now free enough to move away from my tongue. However, I did have some pain in the area, so I took some ibuprofen.

	== Future ==		== Future ==

Anton: /* Short Version */

2012-07-11T20:57:32Z

Short Version

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:57, 11 July 2012
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	=Short Version=		=Short Version=

	I had my right front tooth extracted. Now I have an implant around which my bone is healing for the next few months. After that, I'll have a shiny new tooth.		I had my right front tooth extracted. Now I have an implant around which my bone is healing for the next few months. After that, I'll have a shiny new tooth. {{todo\|fill in short version after you have a shiny new tooth}}

	=Long Version=		=Long Version=

Anton: /* Random observations after surgury but before next checkup */

2012-07-11T20:51:41Z

Random observations after surgury but before next checkup

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:51, 11 July 2012
Line 50:		Line 50:
	The bill for the day: $3,095. My insurance only covered the extraction, but not the implant, bone graft, or collagen membrane. When I was leaving the office, I was given a gift bag with a neat tea cup and some earl grey tea from [http://www.birdpick.com/ Bird Pick] (very tasty!). It also had a sweet hand-written note commending me on tolerating a difficult procedure and inviting me to relax. Dr. G's office seems to have pleasant patient interactions down to a science. I even got a follow up phone call from Dr. G the next morning to make sure everything is going okay.		The bill for the day: $3,095. My insurance only covered the extraction, but not the implant, bone graft, or collagen membrane. When I was leaving the office, I was given a gift bag with a neat tea cup and some earl grey tea from [http://www.birdpick.com/ Bird Pick] (very tasty!). It also had a sweet hand-written note commending me on tolerating a difficult procedure and inviting me to relax. Dr. G's office seems to have pleasant patient interactions down to a science. I even got a follow up phone call from Dr. G the next morning to make sure everything is going okay.

	=== Random observations after surgury but before next checkup ===		== Random observations after surgury but before next checkup ==

	The anesthetic wore off pretty soon after I got home. I kept some ice on my upper lip for half an hour to minimize swelling, and I regularly took the 800mg ibuprofen I'd been proscribed. Surprisingly, I experienced almost no pain or soreness. I was able to get back to doing math over skype the same day. I eased off the ibuprofen, and completely stopped taking it after two days or so, with no negative consequences. I never took any of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone Vicodin] I'd been proscribed (Dr. G said he didn't expect I would have to).		The anesthetic wore off pretty soon after I got home. I kept some ice on my upper lip for half an hour to minimize swelling, and I regularly took the 800mg ibuprofen I'd been proscribed. Surprisingly, I experienced almost no pain or soreness. I was able to get back to doing math over skype the same day. I eased off the ibuprofen, and completely stopped taking it after two days or so, with no negative consequences. I never took any of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone Vicodin] I'd been proscribed (Dr. G said he didn't expect I would have to).