An hour on my back

 

An hour on my back

Intra-oral scanner

Image source

On Monday afternoon I spent an hour on my back. It wasn’t for relaxation, though not particularly uncomfortable. Bright lights, loud buzzing, murmuring voices, some music I would never have chosen, but what could I say to my dentist? I was in his hands, literally.

I wondered if one of the requirements for acceptance to a dentistry degree would be small hands. After all, dentists work in a very restricted area and there’s not a lot of room for manoeuvre. It’s difficult enough when the drill is being used, but when the scanner is introduced, life becomes interesting.

A lilting melody is played as the instrument traverses the gums, and it would not be surprising to see a well-drilled (!) troupe of tiny fairies dancing in front of one’s eyes. Of course, I would not be able to see them since I always shut my eyes when I’m at the dentist’s mercy. 

Then Steph, the dental nurse, clearly in training, had a turn with the scanner. That was an altogether different experience and Vishal, the dentist, was pleased with her. He didn’t ask if I would mind her practising on me, probably knowing I would agree, but should he have checked?

Meanwhile, I was wondering if dental patients ever dislocated their jaws. Mine were beginning to ache, having been wide open for what felt like hours. I also pondered, again, if and how many times dental professionals are bitten by their patients.

I had been thinking beforehand about how I was going to entertain myself for the ninety minutes I had been threatened with promised, but in the end I was there for just sixty minutes. I have to return in a couple of weeks to have the crown fitted, taking home with me again the mould that had been made in July.

There was a small piece of broken tooth in the gum, which has now been persuaded from its resting place. Today, my back aches, I have a headache, and my gum is a little sore, but if that is all that ever troubles me, I shall be forever grateful.