In my memory of yesteryear the whimsical ritual of the Tooth Fairy went something like this:
At bedtime, little boys and girls would place their teeth under their pillow and while they lay fast asleep something mystical would take place. By morning those same teeth had magically transform into a monetary token or trinket; I envisioned The Tooth Fairy as resembling Gilda, "The Good Witch” from the Wizard of OZ all done up in some sparkly gauzy confection tip toeing into my room and gently tapping me on the forehead with her magic wand, as she secretly made the switch. Unfortunately, after the age of 8 The Tooth Fairy of my youth went by a different pseudonym, The Dentist. It seemed like every time I visited the dentist, he was either poking, probing, drilling or extracting something, which led to my perverse correlation to Dr Mengele; hence paving the way to a lifelong fear of dentists.
Although I'm sure for some lucky patrons, the dentist still maintains the status of Tooth Fairy by magically transforming misaligned and misshapen teeth into beautiful million dollar smiles that are magazine cover perfect, but for me, every time I opened my mouth it cost me $$$$….
Conversely, I have friends and family, who could go years without visiting a dentist, and then, would only need a routine cleaning, and perhaps they’d have the occasional cavity.
By the age of 25 I had spent $10,000 in dental work, which would last all of about 10 years. So it comes as no surprise that by age 35 I was diagnosed with Gingivitis that now, some fifteen years later, is an advanced case of periodontal disease leaving my teeth to hang by a thread.
One would almost assume after examining me that I’d never been to a dentist, or that I was surviving on a diet of Cheetos and Pepsi, but nothing could’ve been further from the truth. I’ve maintained a healthy and active life lifestyle.
And I had all the necessary dental equipment as well, in fact, I was a virtual Gadget Girl; Sonic-Care tooth brush, Water-Pik, brushing, flossing, I tried everything, but nothing seemed to work.
I even had my teeth cleaned four times a year; that’s two times more than the average person. Even before my tush was out of the dentist’s chair, plaque was making a bee line to my teeth as if they were constructed from fly paper.
Of course my brother, one of the blest family members who never had any problems with his teeth or gums, would gentle rib me that my dental problems vs. his lack of was primarily due to the differences in our religious affiliation.
In other words, he had perfect teeth and gums because he was a Catholic.
I on the other hand was being punished by a higher power for being a Protestant.
I remember my retort:
I presented an argument that our older sister, who, like my brother, was raised a Catholic, but like me, was afflicted raising the point that his theory didn't hold water!
His retort:
“Well that’s because she’s not a practicing Catholic”
My worst fear at this stage was facing the inconvenient truth that I would probably loose all of my teeth…
I remember 30 years ago, my sister, whom I mentioned earlier is 10 yrs older and had all of her teeth removed at age 32, back before implants were available, and if they were only the rich and famous could afford them, your only option was dentures; clinically revered to as a prosthesis; a medical term to describe a device used to replace a missing body part…
Fortunately today there’re several alternatives available, but it still pains me none the less in remembering what a difficult time it was for her, not just physically but emotionally.
The physiological effect of loosing ones teeth has a tremendous impact it's not just about vanity a vital element of your psyche has been striped, your dignity.
Part 2
Now, I consider myself to be a pretty savvy shopper although intellectually I know it wouldn’t be very prudent to bargain shop when looking for a doctor. But before jumping into the dental abyss I decided to interview several dentists; a process that bore a keen resemblance to an online dating fiasco I once experienced.
Here's an example of how the meet and greet went:
Doctor #1, had about as much finesse as a used car salesman with eight hands, each one simultaneously trying to get into my wallet.
Doctor #2, was located on the top floor of a high profile office building with sweeping panoramic views of the city. His penthouse suite was lavishly appointed with amenities that would have rivaled any A-list spa, but after the examination and polite chit chat concluded he lowered the velvet hammer...$$$
I suddenly felt as if I were standing in an echo chamber desperately in need of oxygen.
Was I hearing correctly?
Did he say DOLLAR$$$$$?
Maybe he meant Rubles or Pesos?
How do people afford this kind of procedure without mortgaging the house?
I was beginning to become frustrated and disillusioned, but I knew it was best to continue looking for the right dentist and if I was patient the right one would come along, that said, I’m quickly reminded of the famous quote by an English poet and playwright, William Congreve:
“Marry in haste, repent in leisure”; if only I had heeded the same advice prior to my first marriage…
As luck would have it and it usually does, a couple of weeks passed when a friend of mine who had just completed having a similar procedure I was considering, raved about his doctor; and I have to say his teeth looked fabulous.
I took down the information and decided to call and make an appointment to meet with
Dr. Stuart Shlosberg, the prosthodontist and the oral surgeon, Dr Steven Nahigian,
After the initial exam and consult, the three of us conferred and yes, they confirmed my suspicions the ravaging effects of periodontal disease had taken its toll. We then discussed the treatment plan moving forward which entailed extractions, bone graphs and multiple implants. The surgery would be in two parts, the 1st phase would begin right away to avoid any further delay. They would place implants in the lower jaw and then extract my upper teeth followed by bone graphs to act as a scaffold that would later support the upper implants.
During my post operative recovery I would be using a denture and partial; I’ll save that trauma drama for another post.
The 2nd phase of surgery would be to unveil the lower implants and prepare them for the abutments and crowns. The upper implants would then be in place and a temporary non removable prosthesis would be screwed into my upper jaw during the 2nd phase of recovery. The entire process from start to finish would take roughly nine months.
Epilogue
The complexity of this type of procedure requires a long term relationship between doctor and patient. I can not over emphasize the importance of selecting the best possible oral surgeon and prosthodontist. Dr. Nahigian and Dr. Shlosberg are structural and architectural engineers in the field of dentistry. While one charts the ground and secures the foundation, the other designs, molds and shapes the interior and exterior aesthetics of your finished smile, and together, they’re the Olympic equivalent of the Magnificent 7. It’s been a long taxing journey down a wearisome road, and I’m grateful to have finally found the best of the best here at Secure Smile.
In sharing my own personal insights and experiences on this blog, I hope that I’ve succeed in lifting the veil on a very personal and private subject, and in doing so, empowered the reader to take that first step on the road to reclaiming their smile, health and wellness.
For those who would like to share their own experiences, I would love to her from you. lo2thfairy@gmail.com
Bravo, Cheers and god bless!
The 2th Fairy
Acknowledgement:
Allow me to introduce, and applaud my personal team of Tooth Fairies, whom, without I would never have been able to undertake this arduous journey. They gave me back something very precious and priceless, the glow and confidence that can only come from a happy, healthy smile.
I owe each and every one of them a debt of gratitude for their superb medical skills, tireless dedication, but above all, their kindness, patience and compassion during one of the most life altering and humbling experiences I’ve ever had.
Kudos to everyone,
At bedtime, little boys and girls would place their teeth under their pillow and while they lay fast asleep something mystical would take place. By morning those same teeth had magically transform into a monetary token or trinket; I envisioned The Tooth Fairy as resembling Gilda, "The Good Witch” from the Wizard of OZ all done up in some sparkly gauzy confection tip toeing into my room and gently tapping me on the forehead with her magic wand, as she secretly made the switch. Unfortunately, after the age of 8 The Tooth Fairy of my youth went by a different pseudonym, The Dentist. It seemed like every time I visited the dentist, he was either poking, probing, drilling or extracting something, which led to my perverse correlation to Dr Mengele; hence paving the way to a lifelong fear of dentists.
Although I'm sure for some lucky patrons, the dentist still maintains the status of Tooth Fairy by magically transforming misaligned and misshapen teeth into beautiful million dollar smiles that are magazine cover perfect, but for me, every time I opened my mouth it cost me $$$$….
Conversely, I have friends and family, who could go years without visiting a dentist, and then, would only need a routine cleaning, and perhaps they’d have the occasional cavity.
By the age of 25 I had spent $10,000 in dental work, which would last all of about 10 years. So it comes as no surprise that by age 35 I was diagnosed with Gingivitis that now, some fifteen years later, is an advanced case of periodontal disease leaving my teeth to hang by a thread.
One would almost assume after examining me that I’d never been to a dentist, or that I was surviving on a diet of Cheetos and Pepsi, but nothing could’ve been further from the truth. I’ve maintained a healthy and active life lifestyle.
And I had all the necessary dental equipment as well, in fact, I was a virtual Gadget Girl; Sonic-Care tooth brush, Water-Pik, brushing, flossing, I tried everything, but nothing seemed to work.
I even had my teeth cleaned four times a year; that’s two times more than the average person. Even before my tush was out of the dentist’s chair, plaque was making a bee line to my teeth as if they were constructed from fly paper.
Of course my brother, one of the blest family members who never had any problems with his teeth or gums, would gentle rib me that my dental problems vs. his lack of was primarily due to the differences in our religious affiliation.
In other words, he had perfect teeth and gums because he was a Catholic.
I on the other hand was being punished by a higher power for being a Protestant.
I remember my retort:
I presented an argument that our older sister, who, like my brother, was raised a Catholic, but like me, was afflicted raising the point that his theory didn't hold water!
His retort:
“Well that’s because she’s not a practicing Catholic”
My worst fear at this stage was facing the inconvenient truth that I would probably loose all of my teeth…
I remember 30 years ago, my sister, whom I mentioned earlier is 10 yrs older and had all of her teeth removed at age 32, back before implants were available, and if they were only the rich and famous could afford them, your only option was dentures; clinically revered to as a prosthesis; a medical term to describe a device used to replace a missing body part…
Fortunately today there’re several alternatives available, but it still pains me none the less in remembering what a difficult time it was for her, not just physically but emotionally.
The physiological effect of loosing ones teeth has a tremendous impact it's not just about vanity a vital element of your psyche has been striped, your dignity.
Part 2
Now, I consider myself to be a pretty savvy shopper although intellectually I know it wouldn’t be very prudent to bargain shop when looking for a doctor. But before jumping into the dental abyss I decided to interview several dentists; a process that bore a keen resemblance to an online dating fiasco I once experienced.
Here's an example of how the meet and greet went:
Doctor #1, had about as much finesse as a used car salesman with eight hands, each one simultaneously trying to get into my wallet.
Doctor #2, was located on the top floor of a high profile office building with sweeping panoramic views of the city. His penthouse suite was lavishly appointed with amenities that would have rivaled any A-list spa, but after the examination and polite chit chat concluded he lowered the velvet hammer...$$$
I suddenly felt as if I were standing in an echo chamber desperately in need of oxygen.
Was I hearing correctly?
Did he say DOLLAR$$$$$?
Maybe he meant Rubles or Pesos?
How do people afford this kind of procedure without mortgaging the house?
I was beginning to become frustrated and disillusioned, but I knew it was best to continue looking for the right dentist and if I was patient the right one would come along, that said, I’m quickly reminded of the famous quote by an English poet and playwright, William Congreve:
“Marry in haste, repent in leisure”; if only I had heeded the same advice prior to my first marriage…
As luck would have it and it usually does, a couple of weeks passed when a friend of mine who had just completed having a similar procedure I was considering, raved about his doctor; and I have to say his teeth looked fabulous.
I took down the information and decided to call and make an appointment to meet with
Dr. Stuart Shlosberg, the prosthodontist and the oral surgeon, Dr Steven Nahigian,
After the initial exam and consult, the three of us conferred and yes, they confirmed my suspicions the ravaging effects of periodontal disease had taken its toll. We then discussed the treatment plan moving forward which entailed extractions, bone graphs and multiple implants. The surgery would be in two parts, the 1st phase would begin right away to avoid any further delay. They would place implants in the lower jaw and then extract my upper teeth followed by bone graphs to act as a scaffold that would later support the upper implants.
During my post operative recovery I would be using a denture and partial; I’ll save that trauma drama for another post.
The 2nd phase of surgery would be to unveil the lower implants and prepare them for the abutments and crowns. The upper implants would then be in place and a temporary non removable prosthesis would be screwed into my upper jaw during the 2nd phase of recovery. The entire process from start to finish would take roughly nine months.
Epilogue
The complexity of this type of procedure requires a long term relationship between doctor and patient. I can not over emphasize the importance of selecting the best possible oral surgeon and prosthodontist. Dr. Nahigian and Dr. Shlosberg are structural and architectural engineers in the field of dentistry. While one charts the ground and secures the foundation, the other designs, molds and shapes the interior and exterior aesthetics of your finished smile, and together, they’re the Olympic equivalent of the Magnificent 7. It’s been a long taxing journey down a wearisome road, and I’m grateful to have finally found the best of the best here at Secure Smile.
In sharing my own personal insights and experiences on this blog, I hope that I’ve succeed in lifting the veil on a very personal and private subject, and in doing so, empowered the reader to take that first step on the road to reclaiming their smile, health and wellness.
For those who would like to share their own experiences, I would love to her from you. lo2thfairy@gmail.com
Bravo, Cheers and god bless!
The 2th Fairy
Acknowledgement:
Allow me to introduce, and applaud my personal team of Tooth Fairies, whom, without I would never have been able to undertake this arduous journey. They gave me back something very precious and priceless, the glow and confidence that can only come from a happy, healthy smile.
I owe each and every one of them a debt of gratitude for their superb medical skills, tireless dedication, but above all, their kindness, patience and compassion during one of the most life altering and humbling experiences I’ve ever had.
Kudos to everyone,
310-278-6630
Stuart R Shlosberg, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Prosthodontics
Stephen Nahigian, D.D.S.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Jenny Choi
Treatment Coordinator
