Root canal?
I rocked up for my ‘procedure’ on Wednesday. Barry insisted on driving me there, sweet man, in case I felt strange afterwards. Surely he realises after all these years that I’m strange all the time?
I had had something to eat, as requested, though I prefer an empty stomach when I’m about to embark on a two-hour appointment. I’d also had 400g of Ibuprofen, as bidden. Don’t quite know why and forgot to ask.
Isn’t it odd these days that the most obvious things have to be requested? Seeking assistance from one of the motoring associations, one is informed that bad behaviour will not be tolerated and may affect one’s insurance. Similarly, notices in hospital and doctors’ waiting rooms remind patients that abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. So, it shouldn’t really have surprised me to read that I should clean my teeth thoroughly before the treatment. I mean, why wouldn’t you? Why would one need a reminder to do such a basic thing?
Nonetheless, gnashers gleaming, I arrived at 1:20, ten minutes before my appointment, but was asked to sit outside as the staff were having their lunch break and they didn’t have a staff room. I had waved Barry off as there was no point in him hanging around, and it’s only 15 minutes from home. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining, though a brisk breeze was blowing, so I sat on a bench and messed about with my ‘phone, reading snippets of news and wondering why on earth I had taken photographs of the ground and sundry other ‘things’. Cameras and I have only a passing acquaintance and any half-decent snaps I take are the result of happy chance.
Eventually, I was invited indoors and trotted along to the surgery. All proceeded swimmingly for about an hour, the canals were being cleared satisfactorily until suddenly the third one wasn’t, and the procedure was abandoned - something to do with the resorption having progressed further than could be seen on any of the x-rays. Apparently, it is not very common for that to happen and the endodontist was most apologetic. My tooth was rebuilt and I was sent on my merry way.
Now, I may hang onto my tooth, or it may be removed – I’ll ask my dentist. The endodontist asked if he could have the extracted tooth, as it would be helpful in his teaching sessions. He will collect it! I should have asked him how much he’d give me for it 😉.
The upside was that I arrived home much earlier than expected and we took the dogs out for a walk. 😊
I had a bad tooth. They gave me an estimate of $6000. For one tooth. I couldn't afford that. It was pulled.
ReplyDeleteWe think it's expensive in this country, but it's a third of what you're expected to pay. I know they're specialists, but really that's taking the p*ss.
DeleteWell done on a successful job.
ReplyDeleteI think they tell people to brush their teeth because some people have to actually be told that sort of thing. Like signs in shops saying 'don't steal'.
'Look both ways before crossing the road,' but that's nothing to do with good or bad behaviour.
DeleteResorption? What is that? I had a dentist once tell me he couldn't find the fourth canal that should have been in a wisdom tooth. I still have that tooth, though I have lost most of the others.
ReplyDeleteCrudely, resorption is the body eating itself. That's too simplistic - tissue is destroyed and absorbed by the body. Mammals can experience foetal resorption - it often happens with rabbits.
DeleteSo the dogs got an early walk. Rsults!
ReplyDeleteToodle-oo!
Nobby.
There's always an upside;-)
DeleteResorption? I've had one tooth treated like that and ended up having a battle with my dentist about the tooth being sensitive to cold. She insisted it couldn't possibly be the nerves were dead and had been removed. Turns out it had a fourth root she had missed - and it was very much alive.
ReplyDeleteI hope she apologised!
DeleteYou got through it, that's the main thing. Re Tigger's Mum comment above, I am reminded by nurses after the extraction of a stent that it was only a sensation that I felt the uncontrollable need to pee, as my bladder had been completely drained by the doctors. It hadn't and the nurses had to clean me up. A quickly delivered bottle would have saved the day. Trust medical people up to a point, but listen to your own body and sensations.
ReplyDeleteThey are experts, but not infallible. Some people just don't listen.
DeleteHi Janice - all I can really say is ... so glad it was reasonably easy - though eating oneself is something I hadn't come across or realised before - ah well - live and learn ... even at an elderly age! I hope you hold your tooth to ransom .. and get a good price?! Just enjoy the week ahead with more dog walks ... and as you say - Barry really should know by now your character ... 'being strange all the time' ... thanks goodness for quirkiness, is a relief! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm told that people fall asleep during the procedure. I didn't. I would consider it bad manners to fall asleep in company . . . ;-)
DeleteOh, goodness, I'm glad it was basically OK though. I really dislike dental stuff. xx
ReplyDeleteI don't think many people actively choose dental work - apart from dentists, their nurses and hygienists:-)
DeleteI hope the end result is is that you have no toothache whatsoever and that you are able to keep your tooth. How about putting up signs to remind the doctors and nurses not to be abusive to the patients.
ReplyDeleteHealth professionals can be quite condescending at times.
DeleteSounds like a frightening procedure really, but glad you came through it with 'flying colors.' Hope you are able to keep the one tooth. And you are right about being told to do the obvious thing. Who wouldn't brush their teeth before going in for a tooth procedure!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't think it's a lot of fun delving around in people's mouths.
DeleteThe minute there is any mention of teeth or dentists on television news, I turn it off. You know what's coming. I'm glad you have no photographs.
ReplyDeleteDental phobia is very common.
DeleteWell done on getting through the procedure.
ReplyDeleteAt least you were finished earlier and could enjoy a walk with the dogs.
All the best Jan
There's always an upside :-)
DeleteIf it is that important to have cleaned your teeth before a dental or even endodontal procedure I would expect the practitioner to ensure it took place immediately before undertaking the work. It would be negligent for them just to rely on whatever cleaning the patient had undertaken on their own.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
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