The Tale of Michael's Tooth

Michael's right front tooth has made a habit of coming and going his entire life. Like most others, he developed perfectly serviceable baby teeth and then equally ordinary adult ones. Then, in (yet) another moment of sheer madness, Michael lost this front tooth. Whilst flying a stunt kite, he chose to grip the plastic holder between his two front teeth. As you do. With predictable results. Farewell, tooth, I knew you well...

As my darling husband spent a great deal of time off his face in the 1970s, he thinks the dental work was performed in Port Hedland free of charge. Which may well be true. Or not. He also believes he was told the implanted tooth would last about ten years. Which may well be true. Or not.

Anyway, thirty years later, Michael and his replacement tooth were still best buddies. Then they parted company. Why? We honestly can't remember the exact date or reason. Sometime in the last six years. When he was preparing to have a new implant and we did have the money, he developed a nasty chest infection. By the time he had fully recovered from this illness, we'd run out of money.

Eventually, we had enough cash to begin stage one. The removal of the remains. This was quite painful, both financially and orally. Then, we had to wait for Michael's jaw bone to recover from the awful assault before we could proceed. And there was the question of paying for the brand spanking new implant. After health insurance, we needed to cough up about $2500. Oh goody.

And so, we have waited and waited and waited. Finally, the metal implant was inserted into his jaw in preparation for the post attachment. More waiting. The implant had to fuse to the bone. This healing process took about three months. And more trauma.

Two weeks ago, we returned to have the post attached to the implant. Vincent, our dentist was a tad nervous. A common affliction of the elderly - receding gums - is not a condition suffered by Michael. On the contrary, he has deep gums. So inserting the standard sized post was immediately unsatisfactory. The base of the post, which has the tooth slip over it, was short. Michael had fallen into the five percent of the population who needed a longer custom-made post. Bollocks.

So we return to the dentist next Tuesday. Michael's gum will be opened again to receive the new improved post. Hopefully, after recovery, stage three will occur with a minimum of fuss and little discomfort - the attachment of the actual tooth. Michael has endured all of this for one reason alone. He just wants his smile back. And I can't wait to see that.

Stay tuned.

The defendant...

causing predictable results!

The Look.

What to do?

Looks simple enough (until we realised the time frame)...

But the desired result should be worth waiting for Michael!