As last Monday approached I felt nervous. As you have probably read in earlier entries I began my DENTAL QUEST last August. (Actually last Feb - but then didn't get seen until August after all of the x-rays). In the middle of November I had my last appointment for 2012. I was not to return to the dentist until Jan 7th, 2013. That period of almost 2 months was long enough that I was nervous again. I had gotten used to going and my nerves weren't as bad - but as Sunday ended and Monday began - so did my nerves.
I entered my appointment at precisely 2:00pm. The dentist, Dr. Jason Bennion*, had one lady he finished up on before seeing me which took about 5 minutes. After giving me several shots, we talked about what we would be doing today. We (I say we but really, he deserves all of the credit even though sitting there with my nerves shot for more than 2 hours does seem like work); so WE had planned to take out the last molar on my right bottom side and the tooth just in front of it.
FORSEEN PROBLEMS: 1.) the molar had a root canal; 2.) past experience tells us it will crumble to pieces. Taking these two things into consideration Dr. Bennion assured me that he had been thinking about these teeth since last week. He had carefully made a game plan. He was going to try the NORMAL way of getting the molar out and if that didn't work he would cut it into sections and pull each section out. Because of our history with my other teeth we knew it would not be easy either way.
So, now that my mouth is numb and I can't really feel anything but the butterflies in my stomach, he lays me down. At this point I should tell you that Dr. Bennion in all prior appts has started out sitting down and about half way through he raises me up and stands over me to get good leverage. That did not happen today. He just started standing up. As he starts testing the waters by putting that sharp tool between my gums and teeth to loosen the playing field I become uncomfortable. I wasn't sure why but I got this bad feeling. He then proceeded with some other tool to wiggle my tooth - at this point I realize I am not numb. I feel numb but there is a sharp stabbing or shocking feeling in my lower jaw. Great! He notices the pain in my face and immediately begins asking questions. Come to find out - even though there is a root canal in the tooth obviously there are still nerves underneath it. OUCH! It is at this point he decides to go ahead and drill. Dr. Bennion drilled the tooth into different sections. Then proceeded to TRY to pull out each section separately. There was really nothing he could do about that nerve at this point so, he worked on a different section first to isolate it.
I started feeling sorry for his nurse. She was a woman of short stature. He is a very tall man. I would say about 6'4 or 6'5. I was raised up to his comfort level and she was trying to see over the side of me and into my mouth. She had to go get a step stool so she could see into my mouth to suction. Poor lady. Anyway, as he pulled he would always warn, "You are probably going to hear cracking. We hope not but it is ok". As he said this, the tooth shattered and as I look up at him I see a piece of my tooth hit the ceiling. I am not sure why but I found this comical. Probably because I was looking for anything to make this better. Anyway, he did not even flinch. So, after getting some of the MONSTER tooth out, he moved to the second tooth.
With a little loosening and a little wiggling, this tooth was out in about 15 minutes or less. This was really good news....and really bad news. The bad part was that now the only thing still left was the MONSTER tooth - DON DON DOOOOOONNNNNN.
After a little more pulling, tugging, crumbling, etc. I needed another shot. I am very thankful that Dr. Bennion listens to me and heads my concerns. Meaning that because of some past life choices I made, my body now metabolizes things very quickly. Meaning a normal dental shot should last about say 2 hours (just an example - don't really know for sure). When I get the shot, it only lasts about 45 minutes. I have had dentists not believe me. I have had dentists call me horrible things and then refuse to treat me. These are all consequences of my past choices. But each one of these things make me so great full that Dr. Bennion listens and treats me appropriately. So, another shot down and back to drilling into more sections. (This is turning into a very long post. So, since you hopefully can feel some of my pain by now, I will fast forward.) My tooth finally came all out. He asked the nurse for a foam insert. He explained to me that it has proteins in to encourage the jaw bone to grow back sooner and promote healing. As he surprisingly asks for a second foam insert I give him a look of questioning. Dr. Bennion then tells me that he had to chisel away some of my jaw bone to get the dang tooth out. And in an even more surprising tone he asks the nurse for a THIRD insert. Apparently he had to chisel ALOT of my jaw bone. Then came stitches. As the needle enters my gum I let out a painful noise. Guess what - yup - shot is wearing off of the top layer - my jaw is still numb but apparently the gum is not. Dr. Bennion apologizes to me as he explains that he cannot stop in mid stitch. So, he continues - I think I had 3 stitches total. UGH!!!!
At 4:15pm I leave out of the dental chair and take my prescription for pain meds over to KMart to be filled. Guess what - it will take about an HOUR to fill. I actually ask the clerk, "Are you serious?!?!?!" So, I sit down on that little bench that have in the pharmacy and wait. Don't feel like walking around - just wanna go home. As I sit there I realize I still have a 45 minutes drive home. There was a very nice older lady sitting with me who just kept talking to me and asking me questions. I guess she couldn't see the side of my face that was sticking out 2 feet. I felt really bad, I didn't want her to think I was rude, but I couldn't really hold a conversation with her. But, she just kept talking. I think the ladies filling the prescription could see my pain, because they filled it in like 35 minutes. Oh, thank heavens. I said goodbye to that lady and headed home.
After the 45 minute drive home, I kick off my shoes, let the dog out and lay on the couch. Dang it - I forgot to set the alarm - YUP. Work. I have to go to work in a few hours. This is mainly because I forgot to ask for the day off - I forgot all about my appointment until after the schedule was made and it was too late. Oh, well. It really didn't hurt THAT BAD. Trust me it was no picnic - but it was ok.
I guess this is a good place for a continuation.......
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