Well, in the near future it will be my misfortune to get a few bottom front teeth bottom knocked out and replaced with implants. Has anyone gone through this? What is the down time etc?
kpo
kpo - Perhaps I can help you here. I had five bottom teeth removed - three to four months for healing but with an older part of a partial in place. Then had the first series of implant surgery for five implants. Three months here for healing, one went south and had to be removed - another month of healilng. Still wore temp partials but not comfortable and impossible for the flute - OK for chromatic harmonica, though. Then the Titanium plate onto the implants and more time for partials to be made. I’d say it took almost a year for the process to be completed. On top of the implants is a Titanium rail upon which the lower partial rests. Inside each of the implants are screws that hold the plate on onto which the patrial is clipped.
Flute content: playing much of the above time was extremely difficult if not impossible. During the first six weeks after the implant my wife strained the pasta so I could eat - the milkshakes were great!! Playing now has required some adjustments in placing and keeping the flute placed. Titanium is not soft and pliable as is gum tissue. But the human body gets used to what it has to do and adjusts with patience.
I hope this helps and doesn’t discourage you. I am TRULY THANKFUL THAT I HAD IT DONE - I CAN EAT AND TALK AND PLAY FLUTE AGAIN.
BillG
…holy sh#t! …!
If you are a wake for it, bring headphones and some of your lessor favorite music (just in case you hate it after associating it with the work on your teeth) I only had a tooth stub worked on, but I ended up looking at the ceiling for a long time with no good distractions.
Good luck.