The Surgery

I was given a strong antibiotic and extra strength ibuprofen for the swelling. It was my choice to be awake for the two hours it took to place not 6 but 7 implants!  I forgot to count the number of injections but there were lots and lots. I didn't care as long as I wouldn't feel anything!  The doctor worked on my right side first, placing the 14, 15 and 16.   All of those were considered "long" implants, 13 mm (?). I felt nothing, of course. The doctor was marvelous, assuring me that what I was hearing was "just noise!" When that side was complete he asked whether I wanted to continue. In truth I would have liked to have replied "no", but I knew if I did I might be reluctant to continue at a later date.

Since I was there already, and well frozen, I decided to continue. While the doctor was working he decided to place a 7th implant for stability. He inserted the 24, 25, 26 and 27. The 24 was long, 13 mm, the 25 was 11 and the 26 and 27 were 9s. (If I am wrong using mm's for length I will correct it at a later date.)

A sinus lift was also performed above the 26 and 27, but I was not aware of this until the procedure was complete. Bone grafting was performed but I do not know to which teeth. For those who do not know, bone "grafting" is not what it sounds like. It is a thick liquid product which is inserted around the implant which will harden and meld with the implant and existing bone.  "Osseointegration" is the connection between living bone and an implant.  This has to occur for the stability of the implants.  Let's just hope I "osseointegrate" !