Dental Implant (1st stage - Mr Ziff)

i was so scared about this, i got dropped off at fiance's so he could keep my mind off things as my parents would keep reminding me if i stayed at home

app was at 1.30pm

dad gave me and fiance a lift there
when i was called up, i sat in the chair, mr ziff was pleased to see my teeth with my braces off.
i gave him my retainer which he put in some antiseptic
first he took a couple of xrays, then took a photo while one of the nurses held my lips opens with lip retractors.

he said he'll also remove the lil flap of gum that joins to my upper lip, this is called a labial frenectomy.

he gave me some green medicine as sedation, then later came back to numb the area with freeze.

i got scared at this point as i hate injections, my eyes were tightly closed as he injected the area. one injection hurt a bit which made me emotional and i cried a bit and started shaking. the nurse came over and held my hand and i calmed down.

once that was over the nurse gave me a tissue to wipe my tears and joked bout mr ziff hurting me saying he's a nasty man, lol.

they left and prepared a room nearby for the implant procedure so i was lying there on the chair getting more worried and numb and thinking the sedation thing wasn't working to calm my nerves.

finally the nurse came in with a hair net and goggles for me and said i'll have to wear them even thought they're not attractive. i see they have a sense of humour :o)

she told me to remove my shoes as no outside shoes are allowed in the surgery area to keep things clean and she told me not to be alarmed, hmm..

i walked in and saw all the staff (4 in all including my ziff)
i was told to sit down and lie back on the chair, a blue reprotective sheet thing was put over me and secured behind my head.

during the procedure i kept my eyes mainly shut.
from what i understood, first mr ziff cut an incision into my gum to expose the jaw bone, then he moved the gum apart and drilled into the bone (this made my head vibrate and ears hurt a little). then he was using a chisel and hammer to make the hole the correct size (this hurt my ears too).
all throughout this a nurse had a suction thing in my mouth.

once he was happy with the hole size the implant pole was inserted and hammered in.
i think he also then put a little sliver of bone somewhere after that.

then he started stitching me up, lastly he performed the labial frenectomy using a scalpel and stitched then that up.

once all complete the removed the blue protective sheet and i went to the other room with a nurse and sat down on the chair. i was still bleeding a little from the labial frenectomy so he put a couple more stitches in.

mr ziff checked my retainer and adjusted the false tooth by shaving some of the top of it off so it didn't interfere with my stitches and sore part of my mouth etc.

once he was happy with that he put it back into my mouth.
the nurse told me to rinse my mouth and gave me a painkiller and two antibiotic capsules to take.

i took these over the lil sink with difficulty as i couldn't feel my top lip so couldn't tell when the water was in my mouth properly, also the capsules kept getting stuck to my retainer!

once i was done i sent sent downstairs with the nurse to reception so they could give me my medication and a mouth wash.
i was told i had to pay £1200 which I didn't have on me so we asked to pay it by cheque..

i was advised to eat soft food for the rest of the day and for the following day and to avoid the area when brushing. i can start using the mouthwash from the folowing day but only 4 weeks at a time as it stains the teeth!

i have to go back in 10 days for a review and to presumably get my stitches removed

NB:- I ended up paying over the phone later in the week.

Hello retainers

got retainers

essix for bottom to wear at night
hawley for top to wear in day coz of tooth attached to it

hawley given for top jaw so mr ziff can easily adjust it if he needs to after my implant is done

Braces removed :o)

braces removed and mold taken for retainer

as i don't get retainer till tomorrow im in hiding as i have a gap at the front of my mouth!

(Mr Ziff)

discussed timin of braces removed etc and implant scheduled for the 18th may

(maxillofacial)

general check-up
told mr o bout my jaw hurtin a bit

they want to see me next 1 year after op, can't believe it's been 9 months already

Gap closed :o) and braces are coming off, woo hoo!

got told braces are comin off next app! gap is closed enough finally, looks like mr s's re-angulation worked! :o)
hopefully they can schedule me in so everythings done b4 wedding
tight schedule tho, hmm..

(Mr Ziff) -

molds checked to see if they fit my mouth as a shape of my teeth

to have a mold of my teeth as they are before braces removed and implant put in

gave me molds and letter to take to mr s

i tried to get earlier app with mr s but he's fully booked up, i think gap has shut now and wanted to progress quicker as wedding to consider!

(Mr Ziff) -

molds taken so mr ziff has mold of my teeth so implant mock-up thing can be made

Re-angulated brackets!

basically:
got new wires,
powerchain removed,
brackets re-angulated to close gap
small wire banding on top teeth

NB - apologies for brief notes, will write up properly when I have more time!

Gap moved to front

gap has moved to front of mouth
made gap next to false tooth a bit too big as tooth to cover false tooth and gap would look very wide next to other incisor

told mr s bout implantologists we saw and what they said
mr s says people think my bite is off centre as i dont bite with my back teeth, i need to bite properly! i apparently still force my bottom jaw forward! a habit i guess..

(Mr Ziff) & No record of app made?

implant app -
mr ziff in coalville - recommendation by my dentist

took xray
checked bite etc thinks my bite is off centre
went thru options of implant and veneer to cover gap
asked if ok with bone from cow for implant to heal and skin from pig, dad said ok for medical purposes! (cow) hmm.. (we're hindu and don't eat beef)

ortho app -
got there to find we have no app, nicky apologised and booked us in for next day
receptionist had given app and written it on our card but didn't update system
they were fully booked or would have fitted me in today

(Mr Ralston)

mr ralston (dental and cosmetic clinic) in south wigston - 2nd cousin recommendation

he said lil flap of gum over tooth needs removin (called a labial frenectomy) as it may affect implant space
he filled gap with a filler and took photos before and after to show what a big tooth in the gap would look like
he took xrays to check bone etc is okay for implant
asked us to get mr s to move false tooth to the side so i can see gap in middle

this one had to be paid for in advance!
fancy equipment in practise and on site parking

Gap, please close up!

powerchain moved onto diff teeth to move gap between lateral incisor and canine to between laternal incisor and my false tooth.

had more visible yellow powerchain at front of mouth again :o(

Dental Implant difficulties

basically:
got new wires, new banding on bottom jaw
powerchain on top jaw
elastics no longer needed
problem with PCT paying for implant/ bridge (may need to arrange thru dentist)
if gaps close up with powerchain by next app 14 nov, braces shud come off next app after that!
retainer will have false tooth from braces on it

NB - apologies for brief notes, will write up properly when I have more time!

In capable hands! (maxillofacial)

Very quick check-up today when I eventually got in.

They were running a bit late with the appointments.

Mr O said he was happy and they basically checked how my bite is, how wide I can open my mouth and where I had sensation.

He asked if Mr S was happy, I said yes, he said we'll leave you in his capable hands then and see you in 6 months!
(They always say if Mr S is happy, that's good as he's fussy and likes things proper!)

He said he'll see me earlier if anything changes but that hopefully it wont.

Hooks off, more elastics

This was a long appointment. I only went back to work yesterday after being off sick for 8 weeks!

Mr S told me I had the puffiest cheeks he's ever seen, dunno if that's good or bad, hehe.

Mr S changed my wires today. This meant I finally got rid of the hooks put on my wires for surgery, they were a pain as they were starting to hurt my gums so I was glad to be rid of them!

Mr S had a lot of problems with some of my brackets and had to pull some off and replace them. This took a while as the new brackets wouldn't stick. After about 3 attempts, Nicky went to get some new equipment and then they stuck, whew!

Once the brackets were sorted, new wires went in (with the lil extra wire on top also), filed down sharp bits etc at the back of mouth and Mr S looked at my bite then after deciding about the elastics he got a mirror to show me what the new elastics set up is going to be like.

I now have to use 4 elastics on each side of my mouth in pairs as before.
2 go diagonally from top back to front bottom and I have boxes around the same hooks again.

It's fiddly but I'm used to it now.

Elastics are in!

When I went in today, Nicky the nurse commented "Ooo she can open now", when I answered how I was and she saw my teeth opening a bit as I spoke, hehe.

Mr S had a look at my teeth and how much I can open my mouth.

He then got some elastics and fitted them on the hooks (some on brackets, some on hooks attached for surgery).

These I find out are attached to bring my teeth together in a better bite as when my teeth are shut my teeth are not sitting right.

I was hoping the hooks attached for my surgery would be coming out as they were beginning to hurt my gums as my mouth was now free.

He then got a mirror and showed me how he had attached the elastics.

He put one elastic on each side of my mouth in a square shape, going over 4 hooks. Then doubled these up by placing another one on top.

He said I need to make sure I use the same hooks and change the elastics each time I eat, drink etc as they are latex and don't stay strong very long for the pressure needed.

He gave me 3 packs and drew a diagram on one of the packs. He said I may find it easier with tweezers first but should be able to use my fingers once I get used to it.

He said he can see my gum is loose on both sides of my mouth and it should tighten as my mouth loosens up and I can stretch the gum again.

I see him again in 2 weeks.

He asked about my vein and I told him Mr O said it's nothing to worry about.

When I got home, I had a look in my mirror and wrote down the exact location of each elastic on which hook etc. This helped me to find the right hooks easily.

My first elastic change after lunch took me 20 mins!

NB: Yeserday I went to see the doctor for a new sick note and found out my blood test results are fine.

Wires cut! (maxillofacial)

I was nervous going today as I had weird dreams about having my wires cut and not being able to shut my mouth as my jaw hung open, eek..

Mr O cut my wires today. There were 2 people observing, he showed them my teeth before in the fixed position then got wire cutters and had difficulty cutting the wires open then pulling them out.

It was a bit scary as he was going in with the cutters and I was opening my lips as wide as I could.

After the wires were cut and removed, he asked me to open and close. I could open and close my mouth a small amount. He said the stiffness will go away eventually.

He told me to clean my teeth before seeing Mr S as I have a build up of some gunk on my teeth.

I asked about my vein, telling him that Mr S said I should ask about it as the vein looks like it has a clot and he said it's nothing to worry about.

He said he'll see me again in 6 weeks.

As I came home I was thinking I need to remember my teeth are no longer wired up as I could feel I was still talking with my teeth shut.

I cleaned my teeth the best I could when I got home with a small brush I had. I couldn't clean my teeth very well though as my mouth is quite stiff so I couldn't clean the inside of my teeth. Oh well it all takes time!

Thoughtful Mr S

I went to this orthodontics appointment armed with questions.

Today there was an observer who Mr S was showing and explaining things to.

As Mr S had a look inside my mouth, he was showing the observer how my teeth are all wired together and explained that I had my lower jaw moved back and my upper jaw moved forward and down. He was showing my scar and as he was pressing it, it was causing me pain and he told the observer, that the area is still delicate.

Mr S said all is well and asked if I was hurting anywhere. I told him my left side was hurting on the inside at the back, he has a look and said he can see my gum is starting to gather up as it cannot be stretched and is sitting on my teeth. He said once I can stretch my mouth it will be fine.

I showed him my raised vein and he noted that it looks like a clot as the rest of the vein is no longer in use and my hand is getting blood through a different vein instead. I'd never noticed the vein wasn't being used before, weird!

He said to ask Mr O about it next week and to let him know what they say so he can chase it up for me. Aww how sweet of him! :o)

Mr S asked when my wires are cut. I said next weeks, so they are giving me an appointment on the Thurs to fit elastics in as they are fully booked for next Wed.

Healing well.. (maxillofacial)

At the Maxillofacial department today I got a quick check up to see how I am doing.

Mr O wasn't there today, I got introduced to a new guy today on the team. He had a look inside my mouth and said everything's fine and the stitches in my mouth are healing well.

They also asked to have a look at my hip, he said I don't need the dressings on and that it is healing up fine.

My Dad also told them that I fell down the stairs last week when I fainted after having a shower and they didn't seem worried.

I think my Dad wants someone to show concern as when I went to the doctor last week as an emergency, he said I was fine and just asked me to get some blood tests booked so they could check my cholesterol, blood sugar and whether i'm anaemic etc.

Wires will be cut in 2 weeks!