An hour on my back
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Intra-oral scanner
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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.
That is no one's idea of a good time. Dentists work so close to your brain, any slip up could end it all. Though my husband was a highly skilled and gentle dentist I still dreaded going in. Not at all my favorite time spent with him.
ReplyDeleteI've been known to ask for a change of music or at least a lower volume. I'm paying many $$$, they shouldn't add lousy tunes to my suffering! I'm glad your long appointment went well.
ReplyDeleteI had my teeth cleaned today. I’m always glad when that chore is behind me.
ReplyDeleteDecades ago in my younger days, I worked at a Dental insurance company that trained us to read X-rays and the anatomy of the mouth/teeth. After I left I worked for a dentist and back then, the dentist preferred to train their own assistants. I hated it! The smell of people’s mouths and breath was more than I bargained for. As a child, my dentist didn’t use gloves and I could always taste the cigarettes on his fingers and no mask either. This was in the 60’s. Needless to say, I developed a real phobia about going to the dentist. I have a good dentist and Hygienist now - very gentle and caring.