An Interesting Trip to the Dentist

(Another post to catch up)

Deena's first trip to the dentist was a success, but was also not at all what I expected.  I knew she had major teeth issues and would need a lot of dental work.  Initially, our holistic dentist was going to see her, but once we went over the extent of her issues, we decided it would be best for her to see a dentist that could perform the initial dental procedures under anesthesia in the hospital.  It can be difficult to find a dentist that is familiar with osteogenisis imperfecta (OI) and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta (DI), which often goes along with OI type 3.  After getting recommendations and calling around, I found a dentist, Dr. Hishaw at Tucson Smiles, who was familiar with both and who felt like she would be able to help Deena.  Deena loved her and did great with  her first x-rays and cleaning. 

Deena does indeed need extensive work and we are currently working with the hospital to book a date for her that also works for her dentist.  The good news is she was diagnosed with DI, so our health insurance may help pay for part of the hospital and anesthesia costs since that may fall under "medical" expenses.  We, unfortunately, do not have dental insurance, so the dentist bills will still be our responsibility to cover, but it will be amazing if insurance helps with the rest.

The surprise of the day came when we looked at Deena's panoramic x-ray.  Apparently, there is only one set of adult teeth left that haven't come in yet.  The adult molars you can already see when she opens her mouth are all she has, other than that one set.  Many of her adult teeth came down in to the wrong spot (notice the adult canines where a molar should be, for one).  We don't know if she was just missing a bunch of baby teeth, if the baby teeth were pulled, or if they fell out really early, but there was nothing to guide her few adult teeth down, so they came down in to the wrong spots in a few places. It looks like she has a lot of teeth, but in reality, she has multiple places where the baby and adult teeth are side-by-side because the baby tooth never came out and the adult tooth came down early, in a different spot than it should have.  

The plan for now is to deal with the decay and cavities in her mouth, leaving as many teeth as we can, even the baby teeth, as long as they are healthy and able to be saved.  Eventually she will need partial dentures to help fill the gaps since bridges and implants aren't an option for her.  I told her she was going to have a million dollar mouth, and she thought that was pretty great!

Deena loved the dentist so much that she came home and practiced finding cavities on Madi.  Who knows, maybe she will be a dentist one day when she's bigger.  She's a smart little cookie and I know she would make a great dentist!

 

Madi's First Dentist Visit

I am behind on my postings, but last Monday, Madi had her very first dentist visit and teeth brushing.  We had Conner go first, so that she could watch, then she went next.  She did really great!!  She sat still for everything (on my lap ;)) and has no cavities... YEAH!  Here are a few photos:

Whew... Only 2 More to Go!

We are almost done with our few weeks of appointments.  It's been a rough few weeks for sure!!  We've seen the orthopedic surgeon, the neurosurgeon, the urologist, the pediatrician, the dentist, and we've had multple tests.  Next week we get to pick up Madi's HKFOs and get her wheelchair adjusted and then we are DONE!  WOOO HOOO!

Conner had to get a spacer put in a spot he had an absessed tooth that had been pulled.  We went in last Thursday at 12:20 pm.  He did great and is very proud of his new silver spacer. 

The poor guy couldn't eat or drink 3 hours before his appointment, though, and was really hungry.  I decided to take him for his first visit to Sonic and he LOVED it.  He sat in the front seat with me and we ate together and talked.  We were there about 45 minutes because he kept deciding he was still hungry and ordering more food :).  I spoiled him and let him get a nasty cherry slush that was probably full of red dye, lots of sugar, and high fructose corn syrup.. YUCK!  He sure loved it, though.  He has decided that every time he has to go to the denstist, he and mommy need to have a Sonic date.  He's such a cute and sweet little boy!



The wait to get in to see the doctors have been long, and it's taken lots of creativity to keep Madi entertained.  Here we are checking Mr. Potato Head's head circumference.  He seems to check out ok ;).

Of course, we tried on his glassess too.

Although the waits stinks, I am very glad that Madi has a team of doctors who spend time with us and really care about her as an individual.  Seen here is Dr. Moss, her neurosurgeon.  He is really an amazing guy and has fought for Madi since before she was born.  He is happy with how Madi (and her shunt) are doing and doesn't need to see her for another year!  He feels her seizure was most likely caused from the MMR vaccine and does not recommend further testing at this point, unless the seizures continue.  I am also happy that he has a special place in his heart for Ramya and is eager for her to come home.  His daughter has two adopted boys from Korea, and he is one proud grandpa!

Madi wasn't too fond of the urodynamics test to see if she still has renal reflux.  She actually did great during the test, but walking in the room and seeing that big machine just did her in.  Poor baby.  She wasn't fond of the wait for that test either.  Lukcily Child Life came with an iPad in tow and she lit up.  She layed completely still for the entire test while she watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I've decided iPads are the BEST!  I'd love to get one some day!  It would sure make our appointments go smoother!

Today we saw the urologist and we discussed Madi's urodynamic test results.  Madi still has grade 5 renal reflux on the left hand side, which I already knew (I saw it on the screen during the test).  I'm bummed about it, but it is what it is.  He isn't ready to try and correct it yet and wants to watch it a bit longer before doing anything.  He did say her bladder was holding a good amount of liquid and he was very pleased with that.  Yeah!  The wait for urology was actually pretty short, thankfully.  Child life also came back with the iPad to entertain Madi, which made her VERY happy!

We seriously need one of those things!!

I've tried to have lots of fun with the kiddos when we aren't at our appointments.  We've seen movies, gone out to yogurt, gone on treasure hunts, finger painted with pudding, and lots of fun things like that; it seems to help.

(such a goofy little guy)

In other news, Kyla, the ntee we have staying with us for a bit, officially graduated highschool... YEAH!  We are VERY proud!!











We are still waiting to hear back on our NOC and hope to have it soon.  We have our little gifts for Ramya all packed and ready to go.  Once we get our NOC, we can send them off to her.  I can't wait for her to know we are here waiting for her!  My awesome friend, Kimberly, gave me a code for a free shutterfly book, so I made one for her all about our family with lots of pictures in it.  We also are sending some books on adoption, a book about plane flights, some knee pads, leg warmers (her poor knees were so sad looking :(.  Hopefully these will help!) a stuffed animal, a little blanket, and I think that's it for now... Oh, and a photo album.  We only have a set amount of space to send things in, so we have to limit what we send.  There is one thing I know for sure...

That's all for now!  Stay tuned for photos of Madi's new up-ups (HKFOs) next week, and please keep praying for that NOC to go through.