I felt like I had a lot of swelling in the extraction site and was concerned, so I went to see Dr. Hedge. He said it all looked “fine” and “normal” and he removed the stitches 3 days earlier than planned. He said that he felt like we “got it all” and that I would be fine; he would see me for the implant or my cleaning in July.

I felt dismissed. I wanted to know he was going to “hold my hand” by monitoring the infection and by giving me ozone injections along the way to ensure there was no lingering bacteria to cause problems in the future or to delay my healing. I was too shocked to do anything more than leave with my mouth hanging open.