Before Surgery - Very Happy & Optimistic....and the beginning of my adventure

Hello and welcome to my new blog!

I decided that I wanted to document my journey as I go through months of healing to finally reach the end of getting the prize!

The "PRIZE" is beautiful Hybrid Dentures!

YAY!

So, let's begin......

I took a photo of myself to remember what my smile and the color of my teeth were.
This was only 3 days prior to my surgery.

Here it is:

Now, looking at this, you probably think, so, what is 'really' WRONG that made you decide to get Permanent Hybrid Dentures?

Well, I'll tell you....

I have had gum disease for many years.  

I used to DREAD going to the dentist for my 6-month cleaning because I KNEW that I would bleed like crazy and he would gently remind me that I wasn't flossing enough.  
I would always promise him that I would do better and THAT I did!

Well time went on and then it started getting REALLY REALLY serious!

I was sent to a Periodontist for professional gum cleanings.

I started going every 3 months.

I knew that I would suffer the AGONIZING pain with each visit,

but I kept going because I KNEW this was GOOD for my gum disease.

I got REALLY serious with doing everything to keep my gums & teeth as clean as possible.

Brushing 3-5 times per day using my Sonicare rechargeable toothbrush; using "Go-Between" type brushes that clean food between teeth; and most importantly, using my WaterPik Flosser....along with the every 3 month intervals of professional gum cleanings at the Periodontist's office, the gum disease just stayed put and wouldn't get better!

Let me explain Periodontal cleanings to you.

They literally scrape between the gum and teeth with special instruments.

There are times that you just want to SCREAM!

I would grip the chair arms and hold on for dear life during these cleanings.

Once in a while, I would have to stop the Technician because I just couldn't take the pain any longer.

I am one who can tolerate a LOT of pain, but when it comes to my mouth, not so much! 

During my treatments with the Periodontist, he took 3 biopsies and sent them to a special lab in California.  The results came back as PURE GENETICS!

He was looking at possible immune deficiency disease or hormonal problems. 

So....GENETICS cannot be solved with a pill!

X-Rays revealed that I had sudden bone loss - right below where two front bottom teeth became loose in a matter of 3 months, in between cleanings.
I had already had THREE teeth pulled and then had these two others about to come out!
This is all in a matter of about 4-5 years.

Now to shorten the story....I asked if I would continue to lose bone and teeth.  

I was told DEFINITELY YES.

I asked what could be done about it.

I was told that I would get partials - those metal clip on things with fake teeth.

OR

I could get all my teeth pulled and have dentures

OR

I could get dental implants for each lost individual tooth.

I went home and contemplated.

After internet research and the advice of a great friend, 
I learned about Permanent Hybrid Dentures!

So, next time I saw my Periodontist I posed the question..."if I get implants, that means that you would "Onesie-Twosie" replace my teeth?"

He said YES.

Then I said, "so that means I would have replacement teeth in the same nasty color of my current teeth?"

YES was the answer.

Then I mentioned the Hybrid Dentures.

He wholeheartedly agreed but referred me to the Oral Surgeon.

The Oral Surgeon went over everything and also took a CT Scan.

I was SHOCKED by what I saw!
My JAW BONE went straight and then ALL OF A SUDDEN dipped down!
My two loose teeth were holding on for dear life by the tips of their roots!
I couldn't believe my eyes!

Here is my CT SCAN:  

After getting advice from my dentist, Periodontist and now the Oral Surgeon, plus seeing the CT Scan for myself and the damage already done by bone loss, I knew that I should do something NOW while I was still 'young'.  I'm 58 years young.

So this is where the turning point happened in my life and 
my Hybrid Denture Journey began......