Dental Update #9 Almost There

 What a journey! What a wild time this has been. I have done the first fittings of the wax dentures. They look amazing, but they were a bit tall in my mouth. My dentist warned me to be VERY picky about everything as I try out the wax dentures because, once I say "Go", there is no backtracking - at least without a lot of expense.

I love that they captured what my natural teeth looked like. I guess they did use the pictures I gave them. The bottom teeth are nicer than my natural teeth, but I am not complaining!

BTW - The dentist asked me to smile this big to 
see how the full set looks LOL!

I am so impressed that they 
used my photos!

Anyway, other than the fact that it felt weird to have teeth in my mouth again, things are going well. I go back in another week to try the set with the changes, so...

The odd thing is that I am having some anxiety about this. I keep thinking what it will be like trying to talk and eat and just be me with these teeth. It's been so long since I started losing my own teeth, and it's been half a year since I've had no teeth. I just feel very strange and insecure now. I am hoping that when the teeth fit correctly that I will be able to adjust my life and my emotions to the situation.

Apparently, I won't be able to just start chowing down on the salads I've been dreaming about (like this one!) because it takes time to learn to eat (and talk) with dentures. My plan now is to start with some meals at home using soft meats and veggies so that I don't embarrass myself in public.

On a side note, I have learned a lot about vanity and humility. Ten years ago, I would not have been able to handle (I don't think) being without teeth for the time it took to heal. I'm not saying that it's been fun, but I did realize how much I have to be thankful for. I stopped caring so much about how I look to strangers. Again, don't get me wrong - I cannot wait to be able to smile at people without feeling that moment of self-consciousness! But I have learned to be more thankful for having reasons to smile more than worrying what I look like when I smile. Did that make sense?

Anyway, I am happy to be almost done with this ordeal. I encourage anyone who is having dental issues because of a medical condition - or the medications they are one - to not put off getting help. If I had gone to the dentist sooner, I'd already be chomping on some juicy sweet peppers right now!

Keep any prayers coming.

Peace

--Free