Thanks Byranna,
Yeah this whole implant thing has been a nightmare. I did switch oral surgeons. I really like the new guy and he is a TMJ specialist as well.
Yeah the regular dentist explained the cleaning issue you also mentoined as inporant to have before surgery. And it was needed as I was over a year since a cleaning because of all the pain. Yeah the tech tried to be gentle, she understood the jaw issues and the RSD but the vibrations of that ultrasonic thing just spasm'd everything and flared it all up.
They only did a partial set of xrays to look for any decay. The jaw bone was fine as the CT from a month and a half ago showed. I just felt they were more abotu the money but just my gut. But hey good news was no decay and no new cavaities. I still have one tooth with a mercury filling and might have that taken out later in the year but not a priority.
So yeah the oral surgeon opted for the artrocentisis in both sides. No cortisone. I told him no cortison as I dont react well to it, it tends to crystallize for me and I have had enough cortisone this year for the shoulder. The clicking in the jaw was pretty bad and he could see my range of motion opening was bad (not locked though). I showed him the only way I could take pressure off was if I shoved my lower jaw forward and then it would take pressure off both sides, but especially the bone graft area.
He put me out for the arthrocentisis. I guess he injected anasthetic and flushed the joint. Both joints have been inflammed for so long.
It's sore and sore to open from the trauma of the shots but The fluid is kind of holding the lower jaw forward and the pressure is off. The top and bottom teeth actually line up now. So beyond the soreness I am glad right now that he did this. It feels like that inflammation is down as well.
He is sending me to TMJ PT and before this I had looked up exercises I could do as well. Hopefully it all helps and he wont have to do any arthroscopic surgery on the jaw joints. I hear that is not always successful.
So actually I think it was a good choice. Hoping it makes it better for the implant /abuttment surgery next week.
Good idea on the FSA. I will talk to them on Monday, I should be ok since its getting done on the 30th so thats the end of the month and I should still make it.
Thanks for your insight Byranna
. Will let you know how it progresses.
Shelley
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryanna
Hey Shelley,
Wow.... it just never ends for you!
The dental cleaning was done to eliminate calculus and other bacteria from your teeth before the implant surgery. This is usually routine in a case such as yours. However, it sounds like the cleaning was not done as gently as it could have been. The ultrasonic used to remove hard deposits can be quite irritating if not used gently. I'm so sorry they did this to you!!!! :-(
They did an entire set of new xrays (about 18-20) or just 4 bitewings to detect cavities? If they did a full set, that is because they are concerned about the health of your jawbone in certain areas and these xrays give a close up look at those areas.
So he did the arthrocentesis...... did he inject steroids into the joint? How are you feeling today?
I know you are losing your FSA funds as of the end of the month. If you are not ready to do the implants next week...... perhaps your oral surgeon could "pre date" the paperwork irrelevant of when you actually have the implants done? This is not something I generally would suggest but you have everything in place to proceed with the implants and it would be a real shame if you could not utilize that money after all of this!
My heart goes out to you Shell....... I know this has been a real trip!!!
Keep me posted....
Bryanna
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