So I stopped talking about The Big Sekrit, so as more people wouldn't come up with crazy theories. Nevertheless, the Sekrit remained. Only a couple people found out about it, including one person accidentally at the club, which kind of cracked me up (in retrospect.) And yesterday, I finally did something about it.
Last spring, one of the crowns on one of my fake teeth started causing me problems. To wit, it was, well, moving, unlike what I want my teeth to be doing. So I knew it had to get fixed. As some of you know, I despise/fear dentists more than regular doctors, and will put these things off as long as humanly possible. I don't even like talking about this, which is why I am getting it all out of the way at once. Starting last week, I have been hitting the dentist to get this thing fixed once and for all. I did a lot of research online, and decided to go with an implant.
They took out my temporary fix yesterday, filed down what was left of the tooth, and gave me what is in essence a retainer with a tooth on it. I get to wear this beauty for a couple months, and let me tell you how unexcited I am by this prospect. I currently have problems eating with it in, and I talk very funny, with an occasional lisp and everything. I've been singing and saying tongue-twisters, to try to get used to this thing. It's a chore, though, and makes me sad. As you know, I like to talk. A lot. And often.
So, soon I make the second big appointment. At said visit, they take out the remainder of the tooth, and implant, in fact, a titanium screw into my upper jaw. (Blissfully, I will be unconscious when this occurs.) Over the course of the next 6-8 weeks, the bone grows around the screw, making it pretty damn permanent. At the end, I get a new permanent fake tooth put on top. It's keen, but *expensive,* which isn't something I need right now. Nevertheless, been trying to get this done for a while, and once I've gotten the ball rolling, it's gotta keep rolling.
[I'm also contacting UMBC about being a guinea pig for their dental school. It did wonders for my younger sister, and frankly, I need to save the money where I can these days.]
So, yeah. Not trying to elicit sympathy, just explain what's going on these days.