This week, five months after having my molar extracted, my jaw had healed enough that I could have an implant abutment installed. Without getting too deep into the technical details, basically, a titanium screw was screwed into my jawbone. This “screw” is hollow with threads to accept another screw inside of it. Then a small titanium cylinder was screwed into the top as a temporary cover while I wait another 5 months for the implant to heal. As long as my jaw heals and doesn’t reject the implant, I should be able to get a permanent molar installed by the end of the year.
Surprisingly, this procedure was non-eventful. My endodontist had thoroughly explained the entire process to me last week when he did my pre-surgical consult and scans. He said that unless I was in the unfortunate 5% who’s body rejected the implant, I could expect very little post surgical pain.
Other than a sore jaw, mostly from receiving numerous novocaine shots and sore residual “overstretched pain” having to open my mouth as wide as possible during the procedure, I feel almost nothing – despite having a titanium screw in my lower jaw.
I wish I could say the same for the pain this process created for my bank account. When it’s all said and done, I’ll have spent $6K for one tooth. Ugh.
With any luck, this implant will outlast me.
