T
thesmokinggum
Junior member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2014
- Messages
- 6
My dentist referred me to a periodontist because I have advanced gum disease. The periodontist pulled my wisdom tooth last week (which is bothering me, so I have to call and see if I can get an appt. today, but that has nothing to do with this post). Prior to pulling the tooth, he did a complete periodontal evaluation. He wants to do $6,500 worth of work to save my teeth (some are loose), but I am really hesitant to spend that kind of money and go through these extensive procedures.
He says I need to have my remaining two wisdom teeth pulled, undergo gum grafts, and have my teeth ground down to adjust my bite. I am okay with getting the wisdom teeth pulled and having my bite adjusted (he gave me a Rx for Xanax to keep my anxiety under control), but I really do not want to get the gum grafts. I have lupus, so I already have a high level of inflammation. I'm very concerned my overactive immune system would see the graft as foreign tissue (even though it would come from my own palate) and freak out about it. The periodontist also said there is a chance I could spend the money and go through all of the discomfort and still lose teeth.
I understand it is best to keep your natural teeth when possible, but I am really leaning toward declining the graft and just getting a partial if I lose a tooth. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
He says I need to have my remaining two wisdom teeth pulled, undergo gum grafts, and have my teeth ground down to adjust my bite. I am okay with getting the wisdom teeth pulled and having my bite adjusted (he gave me a Rx for Xanax to keep my anxiety under control), but I really do not want to get the gum grafts. I have lupus, so I already have a high level of inflammation. I'm very concerned my overactive immune system would see the graft as foreign tissue (even though it would come from my own palate) and freak out about it. The periodontist also said there is a chance I could spend the money and go through all of the discomfort and still lose teeth.
I understand it is best to keep your natural teeth when possible, but I am really leaning toward declining the graft and just getting a partial if I lose a tooth. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?