Bones, and loss there of...

So, I am only making this post available to those of you who are closest. The reason why? Well, I don't know. Maybe because I know that this decision will not be supported by some. But, you have to be in my shoes to see the complete good in this. I also need the most support I can get with this.

When I was a child, my baby teeth came in rotten. I would have to go to Dr McKee's office once a month and she would have to pull the loose ones. She, of course, let me keep them so the tooth fairy would come. But, never-the-less, my teeth never fell out on their own. Dr McKee told us then that it was an inherited gum disease. My mom, as most of you know, doesn't have the best teeth. My father, as I am told, had false teeth at 25. The fam - not the best in the dental department.

Throughout my entire adolescence and through adulthood I have had issues with my gums. From broken teeth to cavities to root canals, I feel as though this battle of pain has been neverending.

Back in '02, I had 6 teeth removed, 4 of which were my wisdom teeth. Since then, I have had 4 removed at different times. The most recent of which was last spring.

I have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars to repair my teeth. Although I brush twice a day; floss after meals and have done everything to keep them in tact, the gingivitis has never went away. In fact, it has deepened into periodontitis.

While my smile has remained the same, the bones holding my teeth have started to crack.

I met with my dentist last week and we had a serious discussion about my options. She said "Okay, speaking long-term, I think the best idea for your health, financially, and overall - I think we should give you an upper denture." I wasn't surprised, honestly. I knew it was coming. I just didn't know it was coming at 28.

She said "I could try to save them, looking at these x-rays, I can estimate about twenty-thousand dollars worth of work out of pocket and it would not cure periodontitis, it would only slow it down." I said "No, let's just....let's just dentures, yea."

Right now, I am not scared. Okay, I'm a bit scared. Pulling 14 teeth? Yeah, scary. But, I do know this is for the best.

I go in March 6th (maybe sooner) for my dental impressions. They will be measuring my bone structure and the way my teeth lay. After I get my temporary in, they will pull my teeth - put my temp in immediately. My peridontitis will heal and I will have 3-4 days out of work. 6 months later, I will have my permanent denture - which I get to pick the teeth out for.

Right now, I have two abscessed teeth and more broken ones than I count. This will probably help with any problems I have with food getting stuck with my lap-band, since I cannot chew that well now.

And my smile, will be the bestest & brightest ever.