A few weeks ago I took the plunge and decided to get my smile fixed, really fixed. My front teeth had multiple fillings over the years, and they were dull
and greying. So I elected to have (cringe) eight new porcelein crowns. I was a brave girl and did it all at once, but I had to be worked on for 2-3 hours for
the prep work, and had to wear the temp teeth for three weeks while the crowns were being made.
Tuesday, when I went in to have them "installed" or whatever, the dental person who knows her stuff, but usually works the office came to me and told
me that all the doc's regular hygienists were on vacation, and she would be assisting him. She said she hadn't done it in awhile, so there might be
some rough spots when the doc is asking her to do stuff for him. Well, they actually worked just fine together. I think the situation rattled the doc more than
her. He almost forgot to swab one section of my gums with the topical before the injection, and I had to remind him (I hate novacaine injections without
lidocaine topical). Being at the beginning, the assistant and doc were having a hard time coordinating passing the tools around! LOL. And she didn't have
everything out that she would need, but I understand that could easily happen. They did fine overall. I did get one little drill cut on my lower lip as the doc
was cleaning up my new crowns. Ouch! Still sore.
Anyway, I must be the damndest good patient on the planet for being so nice and understanding, and not complaining about delays, pain, novacaine wearing off,
getting a cut lip, gagging on nasty cleaners washing down my throat, etc. And to think I had to pay for it! LOL. Anyway, don't ever underappreciate your
dental hygienists and assistants. Mine did great. I was really glad they told me ahead of time what was going on.
Oh yeah, and I have the most beautiful smile now!
A tribute to Teach and all dental hygienists and assistants.
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 Erda |
A tribute to Teach and all dental hygienists and assistants. |
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Posts: 9993 (06/25/08 04:56) The Professor |
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When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money. ~ Cree Prophecy ~ |
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Kathy |
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Posts: 4358 (06/25/08 07:55) Candy is dandy, but |
Come on Karen, show us a picture of that smile!
I positively despize going to the dentist and you are quite a trooper for having so many teeth done at that same time. I have about 10 crowns in my mouth. Included in that 10 is a bridge across my 4 front teeth. That was an ordeal that I won't get into, but you'd never know they were fake if I didn't tell you. I have a crown in my mouth right now that i wouldn't let my dentist use forever glue on. The tooth is just still too sensitive for me to totally give up on the possibility of getting a root canal on the tooth. Hate them, but if I can't eat hard food with the teeth, I might have to muddle through it. We need to keep on our kids to BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH AND FLOSS when they are little and get into good hygene habits. My parents would send us up to brush, but never checked. I had SO MANY cavities that I'm now ending up with crowns. Fortunately my roots are good. DH has gum problems. I'll take my crowns any day over what he has to go through. And his problems are all caused by NOT FLOSSING! Fortunately, one of my OCD compulsions is flossing. I must floss like 5 times a day. My hygenist loves my gums. Way to go Karen. Now take a picture of those chompers and show us all how gorgeous that smile is!!! 
Enjoying The Spa, sipping on a cocktail...
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Erda |
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Posts: 9996 (06/25/08 10:06) The Professor |
Okay, maybe at the wedding I'll find someone to shoot a pic of me. I'm leaving tomorrow for San Diego. My friend's daughter is getting married in
La Jolla. I've been sewing like mad. Still had to buy new shoes. Haven't gotten her a gift yet, but I have time to take care of that. I did get her a
graduation gift. She's off to med school with her hubby after the honeymoon.
Yeah, the teeth are very pretty, very natural, alot like my old teeth, but lengthened here, broadened there, etc. The lightest white was used on them. My only regret was letting my orthodontist cut loose the quad helix spacer in my mouth 25 years ago when I was an adult with braces. It helped widen my smile, but it needed to stay in longer. He said it was too hard on my tongue, so he snipped it out before I could argue with him. Rats. It really is hard to get that perfect look. My boys' dentist told me to brush their teeth until they are at least 10-12 years old, and gradually let them learn to do it. They both have had a few dental issues, but they still have pretty smiles, and they both look like they are headed for lovely adult teeth. On edit: I forgot to add that I may not be able to check in until Monday after I return. (Play nice, everyone! LOL.) Oh, and I'll be hitting the big 50 on Sunday. It's a good trip for me, getting out for four days to CA.
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When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money. ~ Cree Prophecy ~
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06/25/08 10:55.
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Samantha64 |
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Posts: 9421 (06/25/08 10:38) Mrs. Darrin Stephens |
Well try not to out shine the Bride, Miss Smiley!!
I am jealous. I had braces as a teenager and as an adult and as a result the tooth to the left of my left front tooth has turned a shade darker than the rest of my teeth. You don't notice it unless you really look but, it's def darker. And apparently since I failed to wear my retainer for THE REST OF MY FREAKING LIFE, my teeth have drifted slightly and I'm not happy about that either. Still don't know if I'd have the courage to get them all crowned - and all at the same time???!!!! Karen, you brave girl! Yes and let's all lift a glass to Teach and her fellow hygienists. Thanks for everything you do for us - especially not bitching too much about the tartar build up on the backs of my lower front teeth...
Last Edited By: Samantha64
06/25/08 10:41.
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Erda |
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Posts: 9998 (06/25/08 11:02) The Professor |
Yeah, when I had the eight done, the assistant told me that most people beg for drugs for that morning, have to have a driver, etc, and they are only get one
or two done! I guess I was an idiot for doing it all at once, but I think it may have worked out better this way cosmetically, too. The lab was able to design
all of them together.
Just to add, my teeth weren't bad -- I haven't had a cavity in decades, just fillings replaced, etc. My grin was dull, though. Funny, I feel like I gave up something, though also. I mean, those were my teeth, and they were real teeth. I guess people who go through rhinoplasty go through the same thing.
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When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money. ~ Cree Prophecy ~ |
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Samantha64 |
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Posts: 9422 (06/26/08 06:57) Mrs. Darrin Stephens |
Hey, did you keep your teeth?
I kept all of my son's baby teeth. I'll never forget the day he found them in a little box in my dresser drawer and said "Hey! I thought the tooth fairy took 'em?" I'm sure your smile is just lovely now. It is amazing how much confidence you gain from having pretty, straight teeth. Must be the same feeling you get with a 26 inch waist line, not that I'll ever know. |
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Dar |
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Posts: 6077 (06/26/08 08:51) Finder of Needles in |
Happy 50th Karen!
  enjoy your weekend with your friend, 
I bet your smile is fantasic! you are one very brave lady though! I agree that it was likely better to do it all at once. can't wait to see a picture of those new teeth. I've had extensive dental work over the years, but so far, have all my own teeth. Interestly enough, I was just at the dentist this week for a cleaning....when she did the measurement thing, (poking my gums and calling out numbers) she was surprised that it had improved alot...she asked what I was doing. Eventually it came out that I've been on this diet thing and that I'm eating a ton a fresh veggies - she indicated that the other benefit to that is that it helps rebuild whatever the heck it is they are measuring. lol I've been meaning to ask you Teach...I had braces as a kid and I have a loose tooth now, that the dentist said is becuase the root is short, that is a direct result of the braces. I don't quite understand that, can you explain it for me?
Smile - It's free therapy
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Kathy |
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Posts: 4359 (06/26/08 10:31) Candy is dandy, but |
I had braces for 5 years, starting when I was only 8. Back then, I was the youngest kid who my orthodontist had ever put them on. When they move your teeth
with braces, it can wear at your root, causing it to shorten. You figure, you are moving it in the socket, so it's going to erode a bit. That's
actually the reason I had to have a bridge put in for my 4 front teeth. My left front tooth root was essentially gone (I had quite the overbite), so it got
really loose. They eventually pulled it and made the bridge. Pissed me off after spending 5 years in braces, 5 years with a retainer, I still lost the fartin
tooth. And I know how you feel Samantha. My bottom teeth have all shifted out of alignment over the years. Frustrating to no end.
I still brush Emily's teeth sometimes and she has to rinse with a flouride rinse since we have well water.
Enjoying The Spa, sipping on a cocktail...
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Samantha64 |
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Posts: 9423 (06/26/08 10:56) Mrs. Darrin Stephens |
Dar and Kathy - that's exactly my problem. My front teeth seem very delicate to me - borderline loose. I hesitate to chomp down on anything that might
give them some resistance like an apple or carrot stick. I've even gotten to where I'll cut an apple up with a paring knife and eat it in wedges
rather than risk taking a bite and leaving my front teeth imbedded in it.
I'm sorry you guys are having these teeth issues but it is nice to know I'm not the only victim of braces trauma! We all need to follow Karen's example and get some pretty crowns. That IS a great 50th Birthday gift!  
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Dar |
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Posts: 6080 (06/26/08 12:10) Finder of Needles in |
well, I'm still not very happy about it, but I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who is suffering with loose teeth and that it seems to be
common. so far, only one tooth is loose, and he said something about attaching it to the tooth beside it from behind to secure it. I'm the same way Sam,
I'm afraid to bite into anything for fear of leaving it behind. I wore mine for 4 years - all thru highschool. The retainer didn't last long, a year at
most. and yes, my teeth have shifted too.
The stupid thing is, he no sooner got finished telling me about my short roots and it being attributed to the braces, he proceeds to tell me that BOTH kids need braces. I disagree, their teeth are straight, with a slight overbite. Ashley I could maybe see as she has a space between her teeth...but there is no way in hell I'd get them now given the b/s I've been dealing with the last couple of years - directly related to the braces!
Smile - It's free therapy
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Samantha64 |
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Posts: 9426 (11/18/95 04:14) Mrs. Darrin Stephens |
So first he tells you that your teeth are screwed up cause of braces, takes a breath and then recommends you put braces on your kids' teeth??!!
The orthodontist we took our son to actually recommended that we not bother with straightening his teeth - I guess his Ferrari was already paid for? But I insisted on him getting them anyway. He had the same protruding canines that I had but not crowding his front teeth to the extent mine were. He hated having those braces on but he's thanked me for it ever since cause his teeth are really beautiful. BUT - if we had 2 kids to put them on, he may well have done without. |
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Dar |
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Posts: 6081 (06/26/08 03:08) Finder of Needles in |
yes Sam, that is exactly what he did! pretty ballsy if you ask me! lol. neither kid wants the braces either, but I am considering it for Ashley, jsut becuase
of that stupid space. She's only 11 yet, so I'm waiting to see if her adult teeth push them closer together. He said something about snipping the skin
between them and then letting the bigger adult teeth push them together....Teach, any opinion on that?
my Orthodotist's name - are you ready - Dr. Anus!. I kid you not!
Smile - It's free therapy
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Samantha64 |
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Posts: 9429 (06/26/08 09:01) Mrs. Darrin Stephens |
 DR> ANUS???
Honey, I believe it! Now THAT is truth in advertizing! I know of a Dr. Overcash. And one of the cardiac surgeons in my husband's doctor's group is Dr. KILLion! Dr. Anus - man that takes the prize! Dar - when he told you the kids need braces did you ask "Are you sh*tting me Dr. Anus???" Oh I better stop right there! |
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Dar |
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Posts: 6082 (06/27/08 08:37) Finder of Needles in |
I know, we could go on for ages with a name like that.
Smile - It's free therapy
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Kathy |
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Posts: 4360 (06/27/08 08:37) Candy is dandy, but |
I was very happy to hear recently that Emily would not need braces. Woo Hoo!
Dar, the thing they want to put behind your teeth is called a splint. They did that to mine and it kept the tooth still for a very long time. Eventually, it did wear down though. Basically what they do is to make a groove behind the loose tooth and the two teeth on either side. They take a small metal wire and place it behind the teeth in the groove and then use some sealant type (or white filling) material to cover it up and attach it to the teeth. It feels a little bulky, but it was well worth it to have peace of mind when eating. At least, that's what they did to me. I can't see how what they are describing to you would be much different. I tell you what, I love my bridge. Even though it isn't my teeth, I can eat ANYTHING. It's much stronger than my real teeth, because it had 3 roots holding it in place. It was a long road getting here though and it was very expensive. You'd never know they were fake teeth if I didn't tell you. Only thing I wish I had done was to have them make it a bit whiter so I could whiten the rest of my teeth. Now I'm stuck with my regular old color teeth.
Enjoying The Spa, sipping on a cocktail...
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