Fun At The Dentist Office

During the last few days in Florida I lost a crown off one of my front teeth. Besides looking like a character from Kentucky I was about to receive some bad news about the crown. I was able to find after it popped out during a golf game. I secured the crown and went to the local dentist who was kind enough to glue it on for $240. She said there was no guarantee for its life and she was correct as it broke off after a week or so.

Arriving home my dentist looked at the situation and after the x ray gave me the news that the roots of the tooth were cracked and broken and I would need a implant. He explained the procedure and gave me a forty day wait until the specialist came to his clinic. In the meantime he glued the well traveled crown on for the third time again with no guarantee.

For the next forty days I was careful to avoid eating some of my Favorite foods like peanuts and toffee.The day came for me to meet the specialist and he was accompanied by a excellent helper. He again explained the whole procedure and talked his way through the operation. Firstly he had to remove the crown which refused to go quietly.  It was so well glued he had to drill it off the base tooth.

After that he tried to remove the broken roots but they wanted to stay put, He finally managed to clear the jaw bone for the next step. I asked to see the little metallic device which cost $350. It was no larger then the eraser holder on a pencil  and was made of titanium .This added to the titanium used for my spinal fusion added great value to my old body.

He told me the rest of the procedure would result in a strong vibration and some rather uninviting pressure. The large drill proceeded to cut away my jaw bone and sent splinters throughout my mouth. Salt water was added to the mixture and the assistant touch the area where my gag reflex was ready to explode. He finished quickly and told me that everything was easy and OK. The final part was the installation of the device which would hold the new tooth. However he was about to stitch up my wound and it would be four months before I would get the new tooth. He left as he came fast and furious with a two page list of instructions for me to follow.

This is modern technology and of course it costs plenty. $2100 for that part of the deal and another $1000 for the new crown. I wonder what people do who cannot afford this procedure. All in all I had no option and there is a guarantee. I will be able to smile again in public... after four months.