Dental Implants, Phase Three

I am one step closer to my new teeth!

I never thought I'd have to say that.

On Tuesday, we headed up once again to Dr. Egbert's office. The procedure took about an hour, and like last time, I was numb but wide awake.

Dr. Egbert cut open some of my tissue and exposed the posts. He put in what he called "caps" into the four posts that were underneath my tissue. He stitched it back up. I don't have my teeth yet, but I have four more posts stick out of the tissue. The purpose of this procedure is to give the tissue a chance to heal around where the posts will be. The hope is that when the tissue is completely healed, he can unscrew these caps, and when it is time to put in my teeth, he won't have to cut any more tissue to get them to screw in.

I don't have gold teeth, but I do have gold and silver in my mouth now.

Once again, I never thought I'd have to say that!

Have you ever ate food while you are wearing earbuds? You can listen and "feel" yourself chewing, it sounds like its in the middle of your head. When the doctor cut through the tissue in my mouth, I couldn't feel it, but I could feel/hear it. Does that make sense? That was the hardest part of the surgery. I went in to it telling myself that it might be hard being awake, but I can do hard things. I know this because 1, I've done harder things; and 2, the Lord won't allow me to go through something I can't handle.

But, in all seriousness:

And most importantly:

You might be facing something hard. You might even be thinking about it at this exact moment. And here's what I'm telling you. YOU CAN DO IT!

This small surgery was a little tough, but I made it through. And I am physically and emotionally a better person for it. 2 Nephi 2:2 says: "...thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." I've had afflictions. I've had some big afflictions. It comforts me to know that ultimately, it blesses me. It's my gain spiritually, emotionally, socially, and even physically.

Keep running!