My implant saga is really my head and neck cancer saga because little cancers have helped delay an already drawn out process. I think I’ve had five biospies this year, only one of them showing carcinoma in situ with the tissue removed. But still they have been ongoing since I had implants inserted in November 2021.
Since my last post I’ve had the permanent bottom plate screwed down. It has little teeth on it so looks better than the temporary plate – not that you can see it.
I’ve got an upper plate that goes with the bottom plate but has to be glued up – something that I am still learning how to do. Some days it stays up first go and other days the teeth doesn’t quite stay up at the front and I have the messy process of glue removal before trying again. That’s the worst part.
I’ve bought three types of dental adhestive: Fittydent, Fixodent and Sterodent. They all work quite well but Fittydent the best. Being the best though, it is a little harder to wash out. I have to use a stiff brush to get the adhesive off the plate.
One thing I’ve learnt it that less is more. Too much glue and it spills over and sticks your lips together. I’ve found it is best to follow the instructions to a t.
One problem I’m experiencing with the permanent bottom plate is that it has more of a lip and food can get stuck under it. I’m eating a wee bit better now that the rogue top teeth have been removed and the sockets have healed. I’m back (almost) to a minced and moist diet. Trouble is virtuous things like bit of celery or asparagus get stuck under the plate and if I don’t use every tool at my disposal they can cause problems: waterpik, baby toothbrush, interdental brush, swishing and looking in the mirror.
One day I was able to go for an hour long walk with friends followed by a coffee and talk intelligibly all the way. On Friday I wore my plate to a writing class and could barely talk at all. Trial and error.
My prosthodontist is well aware that the upper plate is problematic for me and has recommended me to the maxillo facial department to have four implants inserted so that I can hold a future upper plate up with no problems. I’ve signed the consent form! I’ll believe it when I see it because they are so busy.
And to conclude this chapter, I acknowledge my debt to the prosthodontist. Since 2014 he has helped but especially so since the end of 2021 when I had the bottom implants put in. It’s been frustrating for both is us with so few appoinments available with him working only one day a week in our main Auckland oral health department.
He has always been gentle, funny and skilled.