POSTED UNDER All-on-4 Dental Implants REVIEWS
1 week after
ORIGINAL POST
1 week after
My Second ChanceAugust 6, 2019
WORTH IT$31,500
After years of pain, infections and antibiotics, it was time to face the truth: End of the line. Something has to be done. Spent weeks researching, reading and checking all options. Locally, not much was available. 6 different dentists, identical sad conclusions: teeth have to come out. Some said they can try to a total restoration, which included several implants, partials , braces and countless root canals/ crowns. The cost was ranging from $12000.00 to $50000.00. Time frame from 2 to 4 years. Dentures, snap on or not didn't match my active life style and work...Started looking at all on 4 implants and after much study I ended calling Golpa dental. The closest to me was the Dallas location. It meant flying there from the gulf coast of MS and stying there for few days . It was a big step, one very much needed, and hopefully would be a life changer.... flew to Dallas Monday July 29th, surgery planned for Tuseday... for once in my life, I was about to do something for my self.
The day of the surgery, extractions (22 I think) and 10 implants, 4 top and 6 bottom went by like a blink of an eye. I could hear and see everything, but felt nothing. That night I slept toothless for 12 hours. Came back the next day, and was fitted with the permanent set, it did take 2 sets to get the bite right, but left feeling weird and happy... the swelling peeked on the third day, with slight pain and discomfort. Only took Advil and it was managed. 7 days now, no pain, just some tightness and pressure that seems to be declining with every passing hour. I'm able to eat and speak, sounds little funny, but a lot better than I was expecting....I had or 2 people make the observation that the uppers looked a little big, but having forgotten what my smile looked like, I don't have a comparable reference .. will be going back in 6 months, if everything holds, and by then should have a better idea... so far, no regrets ...
The day of the surgery, extractions (22 I think) and 10 implants, 4 top and 6 bottom went by like a blink of an eye. I could hear and see everything, but felt nothing. That night I slept toothless for 12 hours. Came back the next day, and was fitted with the permanent set, it did take 2 sets to get the bite right, but left feeling weird and happy... the swelling peeked on the third day, with slight pain and discomfort. Only took Advil and it was managed. 7 days now, no pain, just some tightness and pressure that seems to be declining with every passing hour. I'm able to eat and speak, sounds little funny, but a lot better than I was expecting....I had or 2 people make the observation that the uppers looked a little big, but having forgotten what my smile looked like, I don't have a comparable reference .. will be going back in 6 months, if everything holds, and by then should have a better idea... so far, no regrets ...
My Second Chance's provider
Replies (6)
August 13, 2019
Amazing difference!
August 13, 2019
I also had a severe underbite that is fixed now. Never imagined such great results.
November 12, 2019
Oh wow! Amazing results! I can only imagine how awesome you feel. Thanks for sharing!
May 10, 2020
I’m sorry if I missed it, but did you give the total cost? I went to ClearChoice and was quoted $55,000 for almost the same procedure
Replies (8)
August 10, 2019
Got lots of help and advice from people that took the time and and effort to post reviews and photos, so trying to return the favor with updates.
It's now day 11 post the surgery. Swelling was gone in the first week. There was no bruising , no severe pain or discomfort. Eating the first week was restricted by a couple of sensitive spots around the stitches on the roof of my mouth, so stuck to soft food and gradually eating things I didn't dare to eat before with my bad teeth..I'm simply amazed how quickly the adjustment is going. The biggest challenge continues to be smiling. It has been so long, that I simply forgot how to.
I was back to work 3 days after the surgery, and only took some Advil a couple of times a day for the first 6 days.. there was pressure points, but no pain, and even that pressure is almost completely gone now. Have to keep reminding my self that it's ok to talk and smile. I was worried about the physical adjustment needed and really never gave the emotional, mental adjustments a thought. Not only did I suffer with bad teeth from teenage years on, I also had a severe underbite. Both are history now.
August 10, 2019
I'm glad your physical recovery is going well. I can say at 10 days post OP my recovery is going similar to yours, no real pain just a little soreness in my bottom jaw which I'm not taking any meds for, swelling is gone, eating and speaking are fine. My biggest problem is the same one you have, I am still self conscious about my smile. I have been working from home so I have not seen my co workers yet. When I do go outside I am still doing the same things I used to do before I got the surgery, looking down, talking weird so I dont show too much teeth, and just not smiling at all. The people I have revealed my smile to assure me it is beautiful but I still feel self conscious and uncomfortable. The few pictures I have posted in the groups have really boosted my confidence but it will take a while to undo all the psychological damage I have done to myself. I know this is still new so we need to give it some time. Thank goodness for these communities, and people like you who share their journey. Reading how you are feeling makes me feel like I'm m not alone in what I'm feeling. I have actually been keeping it to myself and crying a lot. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to seem like I was looking for attention which is totally not me anyway. I'm sure it will get better because one thing we cannot get away from is the fact that we have beautiful new smiles.
August 10, 2019
I do get emotional to the point of crying... It will sink in eventually that this is the new improved us with the great smiles.
I decided to mow my yard yesterday, and a neighbor stopped to talk and check on me. The look of amazed never left his face.. He said he was shocked at the fact I'm doing so well so soon , not only talking, but mowing the yard. He is now interested in getting his bottom teeth done...
August 10, 2019
It is not easy going from hiding your smile to becoming a smile Ambassador. Have never experienced anything like this before and it has made me empathize with people who do things that change their appearance. I am going to go out today and practice smiling at people, lol.
Replies (22)