MAY 28, 2003


It's been awhile since I did an updates and decided now would be just as good a time as any.

Some time in April, I decided I wanted to get my last six teeth pulled and get a full bottom denture. I had all but these six teeth pulled at one time at a dentist office under with local anesthesia. It took about five hours but caused no problems. Oh, and one more thing... my teeth had been in perfect shape without any cavities or fillings until I started taking steroids.

Anyway, I started calling around and eventually found a dentist willing to do it given my health problems and an appointment was made. During the appointment, the dentist decided he did not want to do the procedure in the office. He felt it would be best if it was done in a Trauma Care center so if something happened, they would be equipped to handle it.

Although I was not happy about it, I did understand it but it added a good deal to the cost and Medicare would not be covering it. The appointment was made but was never kept... exactly. The dentist called my doctor and he said, "No, you cannot do it except in a hospital. And not under a local anesthesia."  He wanted it done under conscience sedation.

Now, the price went from a serious four digit fee to nearly three times!  Oh well, I couldn't go around with teeth broke off at gum level so the appointment was made.

The actual surgery went well and I was sent home. I had little to no bleeding or pain however within a few days my right jaw line was showing some bruising and swelling.

On my follow-up appointment I learned why. The three teeth on the right side could not be pulled. They were far too brittle. The dentist had to do some procedure he called a flap-something-another where he actually cut into the jaw bone and removed the teeth that way.

So, now I have my new dentures and a pretty smile again.