dental update

I went to the dentist today, to have the dental surgeon remove two more teeth, and placing of posts that are the first step in dental implants.

The actual procedure went very smoothly--both how it felt, and what they said--but holding a specific position for several minutes so stronger-than-usual local anesthesia could take effect was difficult, as was holding the X-ray target in specific places in the front of my mouth. The plan, if I heal smoothly, is to finish the implants four months from now.

I started feeling bad after I got home, because the anesthesia has worn off and my face was swollen. Icing helped, and I should do that again (my lower jaw is an awkward place to hold an ice pack against).

Also, I'm on amoxicillin for a week.

I will be going back next week so a dentist can fit the partial, because he didn't want to do that while I was swollen). I don't know how the partial will work, given the gaps where teeth 23 and 26 used to be. But I paid for the damn thing, and put up with the uncomfortable process of making the mold, and I have been waiting for it since June, and they originally told me to expect it in early July.

interesting study on masks

( cut for discussion of masking )