Friday, July 16, 2010

I lost a tooth today

Ok, it wasn't a real tooth. Only a crown.

I had it put on two years ago because my tooth had a crack in it and it's been bothering me ever since.

For the first year it was achy a lot. Sometimes even throbbing. Then that went away and I was left with some sensitivity issues. Like whenever I drink cold water or eat ice cream, it sends me through the roof.

I've been talking to the dentist about this problem and we've been trying to solve it: taking x-rays to watch for infection, switching brands of sensitive toothpaste, filing it down to correct a possible biting issue. Nothing has helped.

So yesterday when I was there for a cleaning, I basically asked for a root canal. Normally you think of root canals as being horrific and painful, but my mom just had one not that long ago and she all but described it as a lovely experience. It probably ranked up there with foot rubs and chocolate.

I'm stretching a bit, but pain was no where in her description.

So, I'm sitting in the chair, wondering if I might have temporarily lost my sanity after realizing what I had just asked. But I was told I'd have to undergo some "tests" to determine whether or not a root canal would help my problem.

Oh dear....

Getting on with my story, this morning, in the shower I was using my handy-dandy oral irrigater when I hit on an extremely sensitive spot in the vicinity of the crown. Thinking it was probably just because I had my teeth cleaned and there were maybe some raw spots where the dentin was exposed, I continued with the waterpik. Then "pop", out it came.

Hmmmm....that might explain a thing or two.

I called the dentist to see if I could get in real quick and as luck would have it, they aren't open Friday thru Sunday. Great. Oh but never fear, they have a "dental emergency" number. Another answering machine. Joy.

But, long story short, I was able to get in and get the thing cemented back on. And it was probably more painful than a root canal! =)

2 comments:

Bobby said...

Wow, you asked for a root canal?? I haven't heard of anyone who asked this procedure from their dentist. You're one tough lady, Charlotte! I just had my root canal last week and, well, it was pretty painless, mainly because the Maryville, TN dentists and staff did it properly. I thought I was going to be in agony the whole time.

It's also comforting to know that there are many dentists, Maryville, TN dental clinics, and doctors who are available in emergency situations and on a short notice.

Hope you are feeling better now!

LBDDiaries said...

You made me laugh - I can relate to asking for a root canal! I can't believe they cemented it back on right away - mine keeps the cap a week, cleaning, de-germing (my word), etc., I get a temp, then get the real cap put back on - so so so grateful they don't pop off often! Those temps are like chalk and look it. Oh and BTW? Root canals may not hurt going in but they are a "female dog" when the novacaine wears off - they always gave me knock out pills for later! There is a reason! So celebrate if that solved the problem!!!