So, what I had initially said was going to be a "secret" is now, basically, public knowledge. My oral surgery...I had all but 6 teeth pulled, got a full upper denture and bottom partial. And, of course, have had almost every possible complication known to man. And through it all, my dentist and his staff have been WONDERFUL. That said...
I had mild dry sockets. They weren't as bad as I thought they would be, but I wouldn't want to have one just for fun either.
I have paresthesia...Part of my chin area is numb and may or may not be that way forever.
I got sores (and still have MANY) all over my mouth from where the dentures rub. This is compounded by the fact that I have a small mouth (yes, I know that many of you would disagree, however this is a medical fact and I can prove it). :)
I have had frequent visits to the dentist, which is common after getting dentures. They "shave" and "grind" on the dentures to help them fit better as my swelling goes down, and they also place temporary liners to help keep my teeth from falling out. And yes, liners do make a difference...I sneezed the other day, my upper plate shot out of my mouth and hit the dog. She was not impressed. I have had PAIN (not discomfort, not "owies", PAIN!) in more or less the same areas. They explained to me that they didn't want to grind too much off at once because as my gums change with healing it should start feeling better. Made sense. So for the last 22 days I have had no solid foods. If I can't swallow it without chewing, it hasn't gone into my mouth. I have lost 15 pounds--good for now, but I am well aware that it will all come back the moment I start eating again, no matter how healthy I eat. But I digress...
At my last appointment the dental tech told me I should leave my dentures out for longer periods of time to allow my gums to heal. Okay. So I took them out for a few hours. HOLY HANNAH! I couldn't hardly get the top one back in! PAIN! Apparently one side of the upper was WAAAAY too long, and pressing on a nerve. Wonderful. So I left them out last night. And discover a hard thing way in the back, on the bottom distal area of my mouth (back near where my wisdom teeth would have been, on the tongue side). Very large to be one of the bone chips they mentioned, which up to this point have been about the size of 5 salt crystals melded together.
So, this morning, I call my dentist's office, make the trek in (toothless, I might add) and sit in the chair and explain my problems. The dental tech (I don't usually see the doc at these appointments) pokes around a bit, identifies some problem areas, and tells me that the "white" spot in the back of my mouth appears to be a huge canker. I 'splain to her that it's really, really hard and ask if it could be some kind of mutant bone chip. She taps on it (which hurts like a bitch) and confirms that it's not a sore. She states that sometimes the doc will numb up a patient and remove these things, as they can rub against the partial and cause pain. (So far, she hasn't shared anything I didn't already know.) And again, explains that pain is normal and that it will go away. So she leaves the room to go and get the doc to come take a look.
Now, up to this point, everyone (including Fidget) has been, "oh, I know it hurts, honey...just be brave and it will be better soon." Let it be said here, I have a very high tolerance for pain and I make a conscious effort to not complain, regardless of where or why I hurt.
The doc comes in, takes a quick look at my gums and states they are healing nicely. This part is good. Then he gets to the "white" spot...And confers with the tech that he is looking at what we would like to have removed. She confirms that it is. He calmly states, "I think we should leave it. It's her mandible."
Yes, the partial has worn away all the gum tissue down to my jawbone. Immediately, the tech starts shuddering and says, "I'm sorry, but that has GOT to hurt." Ya think?!
