Hey Bryanna,

It wa a flipper made for that bone graft area. Upper Right back area. Just pulled on both jaws. Have been without it for a while. Thinking of having another one made though just with 2 teeth as opposed to three as It always felt two big for my mouth. We are actually only going to do the implants with two teeth instead of the three as my mought is very small.

Hey Shell...

It may have been too big, you're right. If I'm not mistaken, I think I mentioned awhile back about replacing only 2 of those teeth instead of 3. Has the area healed since the grafts were done or is there still a question about the integrity of the jawbone in that area?

Bry

Hey Bryanna,

Graft has healed well and will have the next step this friday. Just still lots of pain and a subsequent RSD dx. RSD more related t bad left side shoulder though pain is pain and when the left shoulder is in pain and spasm'd up, it pulls everything in the jaw on both sides outta whack.

The flapper is horrible. It makes me gag and it interfers with talking.

Is there someone to stop the gagging? Maybe get a slimmer model?

This is for a front eye tooth.

Hi MichaelS,

Is it for a front tooth or an eye (canine) tooth?

If it is replacing just one tooth, then it should not be made so it goes that far back in your mouth where it would be covering that part of your palate that causes a gagging reflex.

Have you been back to your dentist for him to adjust it for you?

Bryanna

I am currently wearing a flipper over an implant site as I wait for a crown. I have to say that it really depends on how the flipper is made. The first flipper my dentist made, which I paid over $700 for, was poorly made, came loose very often when I talked and was uncomfortable to wear. I didn't realize this at the time but thought that is just what I would have had to deal with for the next 8 months to a year until the implant and crown process was finished. Well, 4 months later after first getting the flipper- as luck would have it, I lost the flipper while I was on vacation, I sneezed and it fell into the ocean! So after being toothless for the remainder of the vacation I went back to my dentist and they ordered me another flipper (but, this time only charged half price, thank goodness). This new flipper was 100% better, it is more sturdy and covers more support area so I don't feel like the flipper is going to fall out if I talk or sneeze. In your case I would go back to the dentist and let them know that the flipper is uncomfortable and they either need to adjust it or make you a new one if possible. Good luck!

Shelley,

I am going through bone grafts and implants for 2 teeth in the front (7 & 10). I have had the flipper they gave me for a few weeks now and have been experiencing discomfort in my jaw (never had this before). Mentioned it to the dentist and said he hadn't heard of this being related to a flipper. He suggested not wearing it as much and that was that. Had your dentist experienced other patients with this problem? Wondering what to do for the rest of the treatment (through Dec/Jan). Considering an Essix retainer with pontics.