The teeth have to come out, sad to say. I can't afford crowns. Medicaid wll pay for the oral surgery in it's entirety but not crowns. Given the nature of my oral problems, the crowns don't hold up any how. I felt so bad for a neighbor who has the same problem and her kids insisted on paying for having her mouth totally redone. Her dentist advised against it and said she needed to have what was left pulled and let the kids buy her a deluxe set of dentures. The kids took her to their dentist, who I don't care for, and he supported them. Why not? They are neighbors. Anyhow, the bottom line is she had THEIR work done and was in dentures two years later anyhow.

I am not far into the process of getting the scs. I had the trial which was an unbelievable success. I have the psych. eval next week and will then get an appt. to see the neurosurgeon. I am leaning towards getting the implant done first as I am finding it harder to cope with the pain and just want to get it and whatever flare that comes with it over with. I just hope the mouth situation doesn't become painful as that will require immediate attention.