After another drive to Kansas City, we registered, and waited in the lobby. They call my name to come back. I sit in your typical dentists chair. A nurse takes my temperature and blood pressure. She asks what my pain is right now on a scale from 1 - 10, 10 being the worst. I say it's about a 6/7. She comments that my blood pressure is a little high, probably related to my pain.
Adjoined to the room is a single office. There are tons of cartoon drawings, newspaper clippings, and books everywhere. In the dental room, there's also books and clippings along the walls and shelves. There is one photo proudly displayed.
The photo is of an older gentlemen, in fishing gear, near water, holding the largest salmon I've ever seen.
All of a sudden, the man in the photo, walks into the room. It's him! It's my MD, Miracle Doctor.
His name is Dr. Dorsey Moore. Dr. Moore is a very friendly, personable man, with a brilliant sense of humor. He introduces himself to us and we start to discuss my story.
He tells us that he is twice retired. Only works 2 days a week at Truman Med, because he can't seem to stop working. He loves what he does and what he's capable of doing for others. He has worked so hard all of his life, that he even suffered a heart attack while at work about a year ago.
He's giving us his history, sort of like he feels he needs to convince us of his resume and qualifications in helping me. I have no doubt that he can help me. Even if he couldn't, I would still have nothing but the highest respect for him. He just makes you feel so at ease and comfortable.
He tells us of his 25 year career as a doctor in the military. I'm ashamed to say, I can't remember if it was with the Navy or Marines. After that, he began working full time as a civilian physician. He does everything that has to do with the ears, nose, throat, mouth, and face. I'm not sure what his official title is, but from the sounds of it, he's a reconstruction guru.
After retiring from the military, then from his full time medicine practice, he decided to stay with Truman Medical, working Tuesday and Thursdays. We inquired about his photo with the fish. For the past 14 years, he has gone to Alaska to fish every year. He had just returned from this year's trip, the week before we were all sitting in his office.
He's so dedicated and passionate about his work, that while in Alaska, he volunteered his services to the Eskimos that needed dentures.
After getting to know each other and relaxing my fears, he takes a look in my mouth. He steps out to view my X-rays. He comes back in and basically says I'll be an easy fix. He can and will give me a new mouth. Mom and I both cried.
We discussed pulling all of my teeth. The infection is not only with my teeth, but also in my lower jaw bone. The teeth have to come out soon. The easiest way, would be to sedate me in the Operating Room and pull them all at once. However, it turned out that the sedation team was booked until at least September. That was too far out, especially with my infections.
So it was decided that they would pull 5 lower teeth first, then the rest of the lowers, then my uppers. I asked if it would be possible to do "immediate dentures", which is when dentures are put in immediately after the teeth are pulled. Due to my complex mouth, this was not an option.
I expressed my concerns about having no teeth at all. How would I look? How would I eat? How it would effect my speech. He understood all of my concerns. However, my gums would need 6 to 8 weeks to heal before the dentures could be put in. Being the sympathetic, compassionate doctor that he is, he did supply a solution.
He would make a special temporary plate with 6 teeth for my upper gums. The plate could be put in immediately after the upper teeth are pulled, and it would look like I have upper teeth while my gums healed. I was elated! Sure I won't have bottom teeth, but half a mouth of teeth, is better than none at all.
He took impressions of my mouth while I was there. The upper was first. To prevent the impression material from going into my fistula and my nose, he cut down a piece of gauze and stuck it in the hole. I started speaking after it was inserted and WOW! I sounded like a different person! Letter's like S, F, T, and C's, flowed from my mouth so clearly! No more forced air sounds coming out with them. I said my name repeatedly, Stephanie, while mom just smiled and laughed at me.
He had to file the impression tray down to fit into my narrow roof. He filled it up with very nasty, ice cold goop that made me want to gag. He held it to my roof for 3 minutes. As he pulled it out, the gauze came out with it. Booooo, no more perfect speech.
Next, he got the tray ready for my lowers. As soon as he stuck the tray of goop in and pressed down on my mouth, tears filled my eyes. The coldness on my almost exposed nerves, and the pressure against my abscessed teeth, caused so much pain I thought I would pass out. He took notice of my discomfort and lightened his touch, taking the tray out the moment it had set just enough for a decent impression.
Next, he pulled out a long strip of false teeth in different shades of white, off white, and even a little brown. "What color do you want your new teeth to be?", he asked. "I get to pick!?!" Of course I wanted the whitest of whites! However, he chose a more realistic color based on my age and skin tone. Truly an artist. Smile.
He took me over to another doctor, one who would work with him on pulling my teeth. I told him Dr. Gagnon, where I live, would be happy to pull them. Dr. Moore said it was up to me, but it would be easier if I had them pulled in Kansas City so he could monitor me and my progress. I agreed.
We discussed how much all of this work would cost. They brought in the finance person to work up the costs. I was told that because Truman Medical is "Out of Network" with my Insurance Provider, that nothing would be covered. I don't have that kind of money sitting around, nor could I save up enough in time.
My mom announced that my stepdad, who I consider to really be my Dad, would apply for a loan against his 401K. It would take time to do the application, wait for approval, and receive a check. So mom asked for a very close estimate, so Dad would know how much he needed to try to borrow. The lady said it would be roughly $8,000, but to expect the actual cost to be higher. She was going to work up the exact figures and give mom a call around July 2nd.
They decide they want me to come back the following week to start removing my teeth. I mention that I have to request to get off work in advance. Mom mentions to them that my only day off during the week is on Fridays, a day that Dr. Moore doesn't work. He tells the other doctor to schedule me for Friday's and he will come in just to work with me. What doctor comes in on their day off to fit YOUR schedule? How could you not like this man? I am truly blessed to have been led to him.
So they scheduled me to return to K.C. on July 6th to have 5 of my bottom teeth/stumps pulled on my lower right jaw. That's where the infection has been the worst and the source of most of my pain.
Check back to find out how July 6th went for me. (Oh and don't forget to donate! Please? Even $5 can help make a difference in my Smile!)
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