Had 5 teeth, gum, and bone shaving yesterday. Lost both implants that I still owe on. Really swollen, but using ice pack. They said 3 teeth were to go 2 weeks ago, told me they were going with 4 pre-op, but opted for all 5 along my right side that I was informed post-op. Lovely.

Question - They sewed in a bolster (or 2) with meds and ???, that still has me numb. What exactly is a bolster? What is involved with their removal?

With all the extra extractions and gum excised, I pray they'll get good clean margins when I go back on Tuesday.

Anybody have an idea of how they might reconstruct 5 teeth with nothing to anchor to??

Maybe implants?

Best wishes with your recovery.

Maybe mini-implants for a partial, but I don't think I have enough bone left for full depth, individual, implants. I guess that's a discussion I need to have with the doctors when I'm not just coming out of sedation.

Know anything about my 'bolster'?

Drove 3 hours one-way, to have my stiches removed. Doc was not there, only resident interns. No results on clear margins. WTF

After the bandages were removed, it exposed the areas where the tissue had been grafted, maybe 2cm x 3cm, both front and back of where my teeth used to be. I now understand why they said liquid diet. Taking Roxicet for the pain every 3-1/2 hours. Still pretty swollen and am experiencing numbness of the chin and lower lip.

Not sure how this is supposed to heal. It's like a flap under my tongue next to my teeth, as deep as my jawbone. Imperative that I keep it free from food debris. Nurse gave me 2 big syringes to wash it out.

Chicken broth seems to be the food of choice right now, with an Ensure for dessert.

Any advice? Healing tips? Medication suggestions? Anything?

"Sitting here on the couch...."

Try a water pick lowest setting a Luke warm water with the spoon like attachment it will help clean the debris out without hurTing you or damaging your new tissue. The numbness will fade slowly. Some will remain but you'll get used to it. Hugs

Hi Chris, glad you're through surgery and on to healing. No words of wisdom here, other than to stay ahead of pain.... I took my pain meds by the clock for the first several days, don't wait for it to hurt.

<<<HUGS>>>

Just ran out of my Roxicet, and the switch to hydrocodone doesn't seem to help as much. Been on the Roxi a week, wonder if I could get a refill?

Chris, many docs would gladly give you a refill. Pain control has to be tailored to each patient, it's not unusual to to need more or something different than originally prescribed. It's Friday -- the time to ask is NOW, so you don't suffer through the weekend.

Wow, what an ordeal... Called and got ok for a refill of the Roxicet. Whew! Problem is, I have to have the original script, no faxes, no calling it in. Problem as I live 3 hours from doc...

Called my periodontist, office was closed. Called him at home, sweet old man, said he would write the script for me if I could meet him at the office. He re-wrote the original script for me. When I went to CVS they said they didn't have the liquid. Two more pharmacies later... no liquid. Can't fill the script as written, need a new one. Can't get in touch with perio. Have to find a pharmacy that carries the liquid.

Three phone calls later and I find a mom & pop pharmacy an hour away. Drive down, get Rx, ah sweet relief!

Now hold off for that second 'going to bed' dose, and it's nighty nite for me.

Lesson learned? Make sure you enough pain meds to get you through to the next doctor appointment. I am lucky, my hospital is only a 10 minute drive but I always check my scripts before I go in.