Does this look "Normal" to you?

I didn't think so. This is the tooth that I had to see an Endodontist for this time last year ($1,000 appointment!). Since last March, my bottom gum has been infected off-and-on, and I've been on several series of antibiotics trying to clear it up. The antibiotics didn't work - I could still slide my finger up my gum and puss would come out (gross, I know). Last week I made an appointment for a Periodontist, commonly known as a "Gum Gardener."

My appointment was on Wednesday, and I warned the Periodontist that I had a small "worn-like growth on my gum/tooth." And he replied, "That's something I've never seen before - let's take a look!" And then the Gum-Gardener slid his scrapper-pick instrument in my mouth and proceeded to "rake my gum."

Oooh, the pain! He scrapped off the "worm," which was some funky calcium build-up, and revealed my infected gum. I feared the worst: tooth extraction, gum graft, & a $2,000 dental implant. Well, the news wasn't that bad - I don't have to have a dental implant...yet. I do, however, have to have a BONE GRAFT & a GUM GRAFT. Sadly the X-ray showed significant bone loss and consequently gum loss.

I'm having these fabulous grafts done on March 22nd. I'm a little frustrated about this whole situation; I am ridiculous about brushing and flossing my teeth, and gargling with the purple Listerine (daily), I just don't understand why this happened to my teeth. But, I'm following my mantra for 2010: "Come what may and love it." And I will - I'm planning on eating whatever I want until March 22nd, because I won't be able to eat for a week after the procedure!