A Tooth Story

[oats_a_plenty]

Yesterday morning I went to the dentist for a 1st of many visits. I went to the dentist in April after getting dental insurance because my teeth needed a lot of work and I didn't want to lose my teeth. So the dentist does a full exam and tells me everything I need. They print it out and even gave me a discount on onlays, because I need a lot of

Comments

[ysengrin]

*snugs* Thanks again for support when I had a wisdom tooth removed :)

Glad you"ve got the opportunity to get all your dental work done :)

[oats_a_plenty]

Any time! Dentist opportunity came from purchasing dental insurance through Costco, opening a care credit and being approved for Smiles Group credit card (like Care Credit, but the dental office's version of it). Money will be very tight as I pay this off in the next 1-1.5 years, but worth not getting dentures and avoiding waiting longer and needing 8 root canals (which would cost much more than $6K).

[thppbt]

My jaw is sore just reading your account. 4 hours is a long time to keep your mouth wide open. But it's worth it. A healthy mouth makes for a happy hyena.

I have 4 crowns, and 3 of them had root canal. The one without the root canal is still giving me problems.

[oats_a_plenty]

ggaaaa!! I'm glad that I didn't wind up needing a root canal, the dentist was initially worried that I would. Sorry to hear that yours is still giving you problems. :

[laken_steeljaw]

Ouch! I know that feeling, I put off the dentist for a very long time and finally had to do about $3k of work. 4 fillings and 2 permanent crowns, so not near the work you're having to endure. I was really sore, so I can't imagine what yours is like! They had to put me down with happy camper pills to even get near me, I can't do shots.

Hope you heal quick, and glad you're able to get this taken care of! Let me know if there's anything I can do (I would bring you soup or something, but I'm sort of a long way away. :<)

[oats_a_plenty]

Awww, that's incredibly sweet of you!

I'm doing a lot better. My jaw was sore for a few days, and the teeth are still sore if I apply occlusion pressure, so I don't eat things that I chew. I did eat (gulp down) 2 cans of Progresso soup today.

I don't mind injections at all, but they hurt! Lidocaine is pretty basic and stings. It felt like some one punched me in my TMJ. I hear you can neutralize the sting with some bicarbonate.

I'll be happy when it's over, but other than the pain of the first few injections, I found it pretty fascinating. I like to watch the reflection in the splatter shield.