Thursday, December 13, 2007

ONE YEAR LATER

Today is the first anniversary of my visit to the oral surgeon to have all my remaining teeth extracted (7) and insertions of two abutments on my lower gum to receive the bottom denture. It has not been one year that I have learned to live with dentures, because of complications with the abutments and the need to replace both them. I have lived with functioning dentures for roughly six months.

Functioning is hardly the word for it. For a part of that time I found eating not only unpleasant, but actually one or two steps down from water boarding. I told Cornie, my dentist, that I thought the lower plate should be relined. He checked it out and determined it was OK. On my own I shopped the shelves at Meijers and found a kit for self lining dentures. The instructions said that the kit gave only a temporary solution and that the dentist should be consulted. Well my temporary solution lasted for about three months before my next appointment to see my dentist.

The next appointment was for Dec. 12, one day before the anniversary date. I decided I would not remove the modifications I made to the denture so he could see that there was room for some relining material. I assumed when he saw the evidence he would concede my point and give me a permanent relining. He looked at the denture and said it looks like it is working and I can see no harm to your gums so why not go on with what you have done. A relining costs $200.00 and if the kit only costs $6.00 why change now.

This came as a big surprise to me. I didn’t know what to expect at my appointment. I was even being prepared for a scolding for fooling around with a thousand dollar piece of hardware. Instead I got by with him basically saying I did as good a job as a denture lab.

Since I didn’t get scolded, I plan to spend even more time trying to get the lower to fit even better than my first few attempts. Now at least I can eat with a certain amount of enjoyment and am getting nourished.

I still go by my admonition! Have you kids brush their teeth religiously. Consider it reformed.