I've been accused of being smart. Sometimes, though, I can do some pretty stupid stuff. About four years ago, I broke the tooth just behind my "fang" tooth on a rib bone. Rib was good, broken tooth was not. But, because of no insurance, and no money, and a fear of sharp things in my mouth, I never got around to getting it taken care of. And, I recently found out, this is an extremely STUPID thing to do.
Over the past four years, pieces of the tooth would fall out of my mouth, no problem (or, so I thought.) I have broken two other teeth, they fell out, no problem (again, flawed thinking.) About two months ago, I thought I had an inner ear infection. Went to the doctor, got antibiotics, got a little better, no problem (are you noticing a pattern here? Me, too.) On Monday, July 4, I had my own fireworks, inside my head. I bit into a donut and accidentally bit down on that broken tooth. VERY stupid thing to do . Before I knew it, I was in pain that is indescribable; but I will try. It felt like my tooth would explode, and I really wish it had. It hurt like that for about two hours, so unbearable I could not think straight. After trying a bunch of home remedies, I rinsed my mouth out with salt water, and that helped. I couldn't sleep, but I wasn't insane with pain.
I took the day off from work, and, since I now had insurance, I went to the ImmediaDent office in Anderson, IN. Got my first dental checkup in, well, many years (not too bright there, either.) The dentist found two cavities and two roots that needed extraction; the third broken tooth had, miraculously, was no longer there. It was decided to put me on antibiotics and Tylenol 3 (I like Tylenol 3) for a few days, and then we would tackle the roots and cavities. On the breakdown sheet, they had diagnosed me with a root tip extraction and an erupted tooth root extraction. My first thought when I read "erupted tooth"? Cool name for a punk ska metal band!! So, for the next few days, and sleepless nights, it was medicate and rinse. Then, on saturday, July 9, I went back into the office for the dreaded fillings and extractions.
When I got to the office, I checked in and spoke with the assistant, while in the waiting room there was a grandmother and grandson. I knew this because the grandson was screaming and laughing loudly, trying to run amok, while the grandmother would tell him to sit and be quiet. I asked the assistant, "May I have my anesthesia now, please" The assistant said, "Only if I can have some, too!!" This was a good omen,...
I was taken into the back a few moments later, and placed in the chair. The dental assitant, Cherish (love that name) got me ready, and then I met the dentist, Dr. Chaudhuri. I don't know much about dentists, but I would be willing to bet she was atypical of most dentists. She was funny, smiling, as well as caring, comforting, and extremely nice!! She was pretty, too (hey, at this stage of the game, I was looking for ANYTHING to alleviate my fear; you're damn right that helped!!)
She told me how things would go; fillings first, then root extractions. Now, it was time to introduce me to Lidocaine. We had never met, but it soon became my very best friend!! She told me there would be a slight pinch; this was a needle being jammed into my gums and jaw. At first, it hurt, like a pinch. When the lidocaine took effect, though, I felt a vacancy. I couldn't feel my lips. At all. I also noticed a peculiar twitch I have; I like to wiggle my nose, like a rabbit. Thanks to the lidocaine, I couldn't do this. It bothered me for a while, but I soon realized I couldn't do much about it, so I just sat there, nose in park.
Dr. Chadhuri and Cherish then did the cleaning of decay around the cavities, then Cherish did the amalgam fillings. This was somewhat discomforting, but bearable. Lidocaine was, indeed, my friend. While Cherish did the fillings, Dr. Chaudhuri went and helped other patients. Once the fillings were done, we took a small break, then went to extracting the bad roots in my mouth. This, my friends, is where we take a somewhat,........painful turn,...
The first root came out quite easily, and in one piece. The extraction consisted of Dr. Chaudhuri making sure the nerve was dead, then getting leverage on the root tip that was exposed, then prying it out. Easy. Then, came time for the bottom root extraction. Dr. Chaudhuri was able to get good leverage on it after some drilling. That, for some reason, hurt more that I think it should, but I'm not a dentist, so I was okay with it. I should mention that Dr. Chaudhuri was being very supportive, calling me "hun" and "sweetie". This really did help. She also advised me that if I needed a break, or if it was too painful, to raise my left hand, then give her two seconds to remove anything sharp from my mouth, and she would stop. She said, "you are in control, so just stop us if you need us to stop." I'm thinking, she's got drills, picks, vacuums, needles in my mouth, and I'M in charge? Well, as I found out, it was true,...
She told me we were just about done with the last extraction, and told me I was doing great. Then, it happened. As she was preparing to remove the root, a VERYSHARPPAIN started at my tooth and entered every inch of my body!! My left hand went straight up, and out of my arm socket. She said, "That hurt? The nerve should be deadened. Let me look,....well, we'll be safe and not sorry, we'll give you some more lidocaine." So, the assistant got another syringe, then I heard this; "This is going to hurt a lot for just a bit, are you ready?" HELL NO, I'm not ready!! But, I wanted this to end, so I said okay. I would now like to do my interpretation of that exact moment and what was going through my mind,.....
"OOOOOHMYFREAKINGGOURDTHISHURTSSOMUCHohwaititstopped,....." Then, she went in with some pliers, and just like that, it was over. I was grateful and thanked her for her assistance. She looked me right in the eye and said "It was my pleasure, you were an awesome patient!!" I knew, right then, how lucky I was to have such caring, talented people working on me. I was indeed fortunate.
I have been truly blessed with the medical and dental help I have received over the last 15 months. I have received care and support from truly knowledgeable, concerned people. They never made me feel stupid for waiting so long, they were supportive and wonderful.
There it was. Two root extractions, three cavities, and four syringes of Lidocaine (I love Lidocaine), and done. Then, of course, meals of chicken noodle soup, oatmeal, and jello (I love those, too). So, now, with some Vicodin (I love Vicodin) and penicillin, my mouth is healing; it doesn't hurt that much anymore. The major pain is gone, thank God!! I guess, looking back on it, it could have been much worse,.....that kid might have stayed longer than those ten minutes. That would have been torture,......
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