So, yesterday saw the metal splint that had been taking lumps out of my cheeks hacked off, and got the "best guess" denture they fashioned from the mould they managed to take while I had the splint in and my face was all wobbly.
Yes, it's pretty terrible - cosmetically, it works. That's great. Speech - lispy, incredibly effortful, and uncomfortable. Eating - the teeth are useless.
The issue appears to be that the busted right hand front tooth socket has blown out at the back, and the big lump where it currently resides has to be accommodated.
Unfortunately, the blown out socket isn't currently a viable site for an implant, and the "gate" it has left is right near a nerve and blood vessel that would be a risk. Current plan is to look again in 3 months, when they'll take another mould and give me another denture. Hopefully some animal bone product will suffice to patch up whatever the mess that's there remodels itself in to, but if not, I get a visit from the "harvester". I've been told to expect having the implants buried for 4 months before the crowns are fitted. My expectations are being managed for a 12 month process.
The prospect of lecturing over the next year isn't something I'm relishing, given current reactions to my speech, but maybe it'll improve. If not, I'm going to have to see how my teaching load can be managed.