Yesterday I went to the dentist to get a broken tooth yanked out and a my new partial fitted.

As usual, the extraction didn't got exactly as planned.  First, what was left of the tooth broke off, so the dentist had to cut my gum to get at the root.  Even then the little bugger didn't want to come out so he had to break out the drill and remove the bone that was holding the root in.....and it STILL wouldn't come out, so he had to use an instrument called an 'elevator' and try to lever it out. 

After almost 20 minutes of levering and drilling, it finally came out.  When it did, we could see that the end of the root was curved, creating a slight hook.  That's why it wouldn't come out without a fight.

As soon as the bleeding had slowed down, the dentist showed me how to fit and remove my partial.  It's all plastic, there's no metal parts on it like there are in some partials.  He had to shave a little bit off the back where it was pinching my gum a little too much, but apart from that no adjustments were necessary.  He told me to leave it in for around 24 hours to stop the extraction site from swelling too much, but after that I'm supposed to take it out at night and at least once a day to clean it.

I'm pretty amazed.  It fits really well - but eating with it and even speaking with it are going to take a little time to get used to.  Right now my tongue wants to keep messing with it and feeling it, but I imagine that once I get used to it that'll stop.

I'm very happy with both it and the standard of care I've gotten from the dentist thus far.  I only have one more relatively minor procedure to get done and then I'll be back to bi-annual cleanings and check-ups, which makes me very happy. 

Due to the medications my biological mother took when she was pregnant with me and her complete kidney failure, I've always had problems with my teeth.  They've either been discolored or more prone to decay than 'normal' people's teeth, and I've always been self conscious about my smile.  After this next procedure, though....I'll have a smile to be proud of!