B
bigg9058
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2012
- Messages
- 111
I've been a long time poster on the "Forum" side of the site - but wanted to chronicle my journal to where I am in the hopes that it will give me the willpower to carry on.
September 2011 - my sister (who has good intentions but can be overbearing - thankfully I will never let her read this) mentioned to me that my teeth have broken down to the point where she is concerned. She noticed at a family party the month before that things had deteriorated and she was concerned about my self-confidence as well as my health (evidently tooth decay may be linked to heart disease). I proceeded to blow her off and not follow through on any of her suggestions.
July 2012 - abscess on my upper right side led to a trip to the emergency room (for antiobiotics to make the swelling to down), followed by a trip to the dentist that my wife suggested.
August 2012 - after three visits to the dentist in a month (that I survived all of them) the dentist wanted me to make an appointment with an oral surgeon to have extractions done. At this point I completely freaked out and my fear of going under (and not waking up) led me to never make the appointment.
July 2014 - renewed concerns from my sister led to another phone call from her about continuing my dental journal. I expressed my fears over sedation, pain, etc. But I agreed that perhaps it was time to try again.
August 2014 - attended a seminar given by MALO dental for an All-on-4 procedure for permanent non-removable dentures. While expensive, my wife and I determined this was the way to proceed.
September 2014 - went for free consult at MALO that determined I was a candidate for the All-on-4 procedure.
March 2015 - went to MALO for examination and determination best course of proceeding.
May 2015 - went to MALO to have molds taken to prepare temporary dentures (needed prior to insertion of permanent dentures). MALO wanted to schedule appointment in early June for extractions, I did not make the appointment
August 2015 - my doctor determined that I have sleep apnea and wanted a sleep test done prior to surgery.
October 2015 - had sleep study done for sleep apnea
December 2015 - received results of sleep study and communicated same to my doctor
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - contacted MALO via email advising I was prepared to schedule my appointment for the extractions (but I'm really not - completely freaking out)
Monday, January 18, 2016 - received email from MALO that extractions cannot be scheduled because it has been so long since my previous visit. They would review my file to determine what is needed to proceed.
Thursday, January 21, 2016 - received call from MALO advising that I need to have a bite mold taken prior to the creation of the dentures and the appointment for the extractions. They wanted to schedule same for Tuesday, 1/26/16
I replied via email advising that I cannot make an appointment next week due to my work schedule and gave suggestions for the following week.
So that is where I am to this point. As you can probably tell it is a tale of much hesitation and procrastination on my part (seeing the dates all laid out like that makes it even worse). If I had followed thru with everything two years ago it all would have been over by now and I would be happy and healthy. But that is not the way my phobia works - every time I even think about making an appointment or going for a procedure I get a pit in my stomach that threatens to take over the rest of my day.
I'm only 36 years old - as someone else said in their post, I would really like to be able to smile in pictures, not have to cover my mouth when I yawn or laugh and be able to eat all the foods I like again. But I'm really not sure if I can go through with this. I have such fear of going under for sedation and not waking up. Or waking up and being in tremendous pain. Or having some problem with the temporary denture that I look like an idiot.
I will update again if I hear anything about when my next appointment will be.
September 2011 - my sister (who has good intentions but can be overbearing - thankfully I will never let her read this) mentioned to me that my teeth have broken down to the point where she is concerned. She noticed at a family party the month before that things had deteriorated and she was concerned about my self-confidence as well as my health (evidently tooth decay may be linked to heart disease). I proceeded to blow her off and not follow through on any of her suggestions.
July 2012 - abscess on my upper right side led to a trip to the emergency room (for antiobiotics to make the swelling to down), followed by a trip to the dentist that my wife suggested.
August 2012 - after three visits to the dentist in a month (that I survived all of them) the dentist wanted me to make an appointment with an oral surgeon to have extractions done. At this point I completely freaked out and my fear of going under (and not waking up) led me to never make the appointment.
July 2014 - renewed concerns from my sister led to another phone call from her about continuing my dental journal. I expressed my fears over sedation, pain, etc. But I agreed that perhaps it was time to try again.
August 2014 - attended a seminar given by MALO dental for an All-on-4 procedure for permanent non-removable dentures. While expensive, my wife and I determined this was the way to proceed.
September 2014 - went for free consult at MALO that determined I was a candidate for the All-on-4 procedure.
March 2015 - went to MALO for examination and determination best course of proceeding.
May 2015 - went to MALO to have molds taken to prepare temporary dentures (needed prior to insertion of permanent dentures). MALO wanted to schedule appointment in early June for extractions, I did not make the appointment
August 2015 - my doctor determined that I have sleep apnea and wanted a sleep test done prior to surgery.
October 2015 - had sleep study done for sleep apnea
December 2015 - received results of sleep study and communicated same to my doctor
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - contacted MALO via email advising I was prepared to schedule my appointment for the extractions (but I'm really not - completely freaking out)
Monday, January 18, 2016 - received email from MALO that extractions cannot be scheduled because it has been so long since my previous visit. They would review my file to determine what is needed to proceed.
Thursday, January 21, 2016 - received call from MALO advising that I need to have a bite mold taken prior to the creation of the dentures and the appointment for the extractions. They wanted to schedule same for Tuesday, 1/26/16
I replied via email advising that I cannot make an appointment next week due to my work schedule and gave suggestions for the following week.
So that is where I am to this point. As you can probably tell it is a tale of much hesitation and procrastination on my part (seeing the dates all laid out like that makes it even worse). If I had followed thru with everything two years ago it all would have been over by now and I would be happy and healthy. But that is not the way my phobia works - every time I even think about making an appointment or going for a procedure I get a pit in my stomach that threatens to take over the rest of my day.
I'm only 36 years old - as someone else said in their post, I would really like to be able to smile in pictures, not have to cover my mouth when I yawn or laugh and be able to eat all the foods I like again. But I'm really not sure if I can go through with this. I have such fear of going under for sedation and not waking up. Or waking up and being in tremendous pain. Or having some problem with the temporary denture that I look like an idiot.
I will update again if I hear anything about when my next appointment will be.