Having All Teeth Removed, Thanks Sjogren's

Thanks to a disease called Sjogren's, my partner will have all of her teeth removed by year's end. The teeth have become flawed, unrepairable, down for the count and out soon. By Christmas, she should have dentures and be able to "show" "grin" again.

It is a scary prospect, having all your teeth removed before age 56, but it has been long overdue. Watching her suffer through dentists, root canals, bridge repairs, and always the pain for three decades---enough is enough. 

First the dentist put her under general anesthesia for 4-5 hours, hoping to make repairs, save what teeth were strong, but none were and she came home with a mouth of rubbed down and dug into teeth. (THIS was when she first learned that the only option was to remove all of her teeth that she had cared for so meticulously for so long!) Next appointment was 6 months away. Friends had to be found who could take the time to be with her during the surgery. We are so, SO, lucky to have some wonderful friends, or as we prefer to call them: FAMILY. My MS would make my presence there more of a hassle than a help.

Next all of her back teeth, "I stopped counting at 14," said the dental surgeon, were removed in a 4-5 hour surgery. She came home bleeding, swollen, groggy (had to be practically carried to bathroom),  and in pain. Within 48 hours she was still swollen and bruised, but the pain was not as bad as it had been after several root canals. Now, almost 2 weeks out, she is thrilled it is over and she is ready to remove the remaining front teeth.

Implants were meant to go in, but her bone was not strong enough, a graft was made and in 4 months all teeth will be out with all implants (to hold dentures) will be in place. It takes 4 months for the best healing of the gums and jaw. Her dentures will be the click in type. They should last a very long time. It is a great relief. She has suffered enough.

Every year since I met her in 1979, there have been problems with her teeth and/or jaw. It started with a head-on car crash in '79, and that had a ripple effect of bodily injury over the years. She was a preemie baby and never had a very healthy body. In many ways she is lucky to be alive. Sjogren's can be mild or severe. Her body always does things in a big way.

We have purchased a blender that will liquefy foods. We have a supply of Ensure. We have met with a nutritionist. It is important to have a team of doctors on board with your plan of good health. She already feels better just having the back teeth out. Think of all the toxins her body was being fed by them. NO MORE!

After all the teeth are out, after the final 4 month healing period, it will be 2 more months to make sure the dentures are fitted to perfection. Yes, we hope by 2014 she will be smiling and speaking normally. There will be much to re-learn. Her face will change shape. We meet this as a team. I am going on her new diet of soft food, then liquid, as she goes, though to keep my own teeth/jaw healthy I will have to eat some solid foods. MY new diet has begun and I am loving it.

Together we will tackle this and knock down another health attack. It seems to be our destiny.

The cost? Ridiculously high. I estimate it will end up over $33,000 OUT OF POCKET. But, you know what? We have never taken a vacation, only bought one new car, never owned a house, have no kids, so this is our 2013 adventure. We will cut back our spending--make do.

If you ever find yourself needing all your teeth out and then dentures, there are cheaper ways to go, but sadly the results may not be as long lasting. More expensive way to go is implants for each tooth, that is the very best, but we could not afford that one---over $100,000.00

She was given the choice of having all the teeth pulled at once, but due to her heart abnormalities the idea of being under general anesthesia for a possible 8-10 hours was not acceptable. And now we know their estimates would have been off since a bone graft was required. Thank goodness we are in an assisted living home because I never could have cared for her on my own.

Now we begin 2013 in earnest. Her stitches come out next week, if everything is as it should be, then we wait and enjoy our new diets. I've suggested we dust off our sign language skills. Her body has taken a toll. Doctor says to rest. She is anxious to move forward. I love that fighting spirit of hers, always fighting.

My grandmother (who died at 56) had to have all her teeth pulled. No one ever knew why, no one still alive to tell the story. Funny, you never think much about being without teeth. Now I am hyper aware of mine.