Hi Jon,
My apologies for my late reply..... my cup runneth over!!
I'm going to be very honest with you........ many people complain about the same things that you are when they have to deal with two separate specialites. The prostho dept thinks they have all the answers and wants the surgeons to do as they say and the OS dept thinks they have all the answers. Meanwhile, the patient ends up wrapped up in all that political mumbo jumbo!!
Depending on your bite and where the implants are placed, a temporary denture can usually be made so it does not interfere with the implants. There are several months of healing once the implants are placed and you will need adjustments to that temporary denture during this healing phase.
As for the coordination of your treatment...... I believe it is imperative that you know exactly what is being planned for you. The prostho and OS dept have to be on the same page or you will find yourself back and forth more times than necessary. Is there someone who is coordinating your entire treatment plan that you could talk to on the phone? It sounds to me like you are in a whirlwind and you are feeling the stress of some uncertainties. Before I would let anyone proceed, I would want to have a clear understanding of what the treatment plan is and what my options are. Especially if both depts are not in agreement with each other.
I wish I could be more helpful to you. I know this is very stressful and confusing for you and it truly doesn't need to be. If you want to know more of what is going on, then don't hesitate to ask the one who is treating you for an explanation. Even though they are using your mouth as a tool to learn, their work still has to be done well and serve you well for the rest of your life.... right!!
Keep in touch .... let us know how things are going!
Bryanna
Quote:
Originally Posted by jon
!00 per cent right, Bryanna! I am frustrated and I REALLY need more insight than I have. The surgeon is not a student. He's the head of the department, and I liked him a lot when he removed the teeth. He's the one who will do the implants. He's also the one who was operating when I was there last, so I couldn't talk with him.
The pros department is what scares me more. The first intern kept trying to sell me on dentures which I know I can't handle. She told me implants with fixed bridges couldn't be done and that all of this would probably take about 4 to 5 years. The department head finally came in and disagreed (nicely) with everything she'd said. We reached an understanding about what needed to be done and how.
Two weeks later I went in for impressions, etc, and saw a different intern. He seemed nice at first while the assistant was there, but his accent (Indian) was difficult for me to understand. He sent me down to the surgery department (not sure why ), told me to come back up when they finished and was fuming in the hall when I did.
Surgery had told me not to get a temporary denture since it would irritate my implants. Pros. intern says they don't know what they're talking about and wanted their names. Within half an hour he'd made my temps, pinched my lips, cheeks, and chin dozens of times, taken his pictures, had his overseer in, made the corrections, pinched and fumed some more. Then told me to make an appointment the 24th of March. He would be gone for the next two weeks. There was so much more when I questioned him because he wasn't making common sense. I gave up. He hurried me out because they closed at five. I'd spent four hours there.
Having privately done implants is not an option. I've read about all the things that have gone right and wrong with all the people who have written, and this is the first place I've ever heard of most of the problems and solutions. I've written myself notes to ask them about things, but I have no more than a weak hope that they'll even know about them.
This is rather vague, I know, but is there anything specific I can do other than opt in or out? I have to get someone to drive me. I'ts 3 hours back and forth plus time in the school. Do you think that discussing this with the department heads ( another trip ) will help any? No one seems to be coordinating any of this.
Thanks so much for answering me. Your answers to others have been so enlightening, too. You must be a dedicated person to give of yourself like this. I thank you very much again.
Jon
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