posted February 2009
More accurately, Jaw ache, same issue as last summer. Started taking anti-biotic again. I hate this stuff, but here are the options:
1. Take anti-biotic and hope it helps my body's defenses kill of the infection at the base of the root.
2. Surgery to clean the infections, clip off the tip of the root, and risking nerves in my face at risk.
3. Do nothing and be in pain not to mention the loss of bone as the infection feeds on my skull.....hmmm will pass on that one.
Symptoms also include facial pain, and increase mucus in throat in nose.
Just when I was feeling really good...DAMN!
Took the anti-biotic...felt better in 3 days.
Discussed with local Dentist and main one in Michigan..decided to have tooth pulled and replaced with a dental implant.
This is a 9 month process. Part 1: pull tooth, remove infected bone and tissue, add bone graft, seal it up with stitches then wait 4 months. Part 2: add titanium post, then wait for 4 months to take hold. Part 3: Have porcelain tooth installed. Then live beyond the porcelain's life expectancy 30 years.
Part 1 took 1 1/2 hours in the chair and was a could be expected. Next day I'm sore but no worse than the tooth/Jaw ache last week.
The tooth root was cracked according to the Dentist (proved later to be true). That's why the infection was chronic.
Unable to "exercise for 4 days...light jog only on Friday. Will see.
Picture: Day 7 after tooth extraction plus bone transplant:
[caption id="attachment_216" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="6 days after tooth removal"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_218" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="Tissue healed Bone Graft"]
[/caption]2 week anniversary and jaw aches at times is fine at others...strange. Still some stitches remain, but everything looks fine according to Doc.. ie. not infections around tooth.
Within 4 weeks the transplanted bone was covered with new tissue. In a month I'll have a titanium transplant (false root) which will secure a false tooth. The jaw infection seems to be gone with no side effects.
7 weeks and I sometimes forget that the tooth is gone! A sharp pumpkin seed is quick to remind.
$5000 on the way to becoming the $6 million dollar man....titanium implant installed 2 weeks ago. Oozing stopped in 3 days. Never took pain meds.. (vicadin prescribed) no Motrin...just Ice the first day. Two weeks later it feels great.
[caption id="attachment_215" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="Day of Implant"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_217" align="alignleft" width="800" caption="Implant"]
[/caption]As of 11/1/2009 This was a long process, but now I don't even think about it when I chew.... Feels like the real thing!
Update: Implant took hold and new crown in place...starting to forget this is a fake permanent tooth. It handles raw almonds no problem!
Picture of finished crown to follow later!
