An hour on my back
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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.
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.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't too loud and as Vishal was singing along at times, it wasn't too bad, as he has a pleasant singing voice, and so had Steph, the nurse.
DeleteI 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.
My first experience of the dentist was my friend's father. She had beautiful teeth, but his were like gravestones!
DeleteI glad it's done for you. I've had scans done several times with my Invisalign and it's not fun, but at least it doesn't take too long. I'll see what they do in two months when I have another appointment.
ReplyDeleteThe scanner does clonk along rather, doesn't it?
DeleteThat sounds like an unpleasant 60 minutes, but sounds necessary. Glad they found the piece of tooth and removed it. I would ask for Christian hymns, that would be helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteThe tooth shard came out at home. I don't know what music I'd choose - not Wagner, certainly! Maybe Queen or the Rolling Stones.
DeleteI wonder if the scanning is instead of x-rays? I do think it would have been polite to ask if it was ok for the nurse to 'practice' on your mouth.
ReplyDeleteIt is instead of x-rays, so presumably safer?
DeleteI agree you should have been asked about the nurse taking her turn to learn. I've been putting off going in spite of many reminders that my check up is overdue, because I know the hygienist will want to do a cleaning and again I will have to disappoint her because the cleaning hurts every nerve in my mouth and I ache after for quite a while. I should make an appointment before the end of the year though.
ReplyDeleteOur hygienist has new equipment; the first thing I noticed was they use warm water instead of cold - game changer!
DeleteThe water cleaner is much better. I must say our dentist is fully up to date with the latest technology and always explains what he's about to do. He's very good.
DeleteNot bitten, but when she was about five, my sister got in a well placed kick. Dentistry was tough in the 1960s.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! Someone I knew always had to accompany her sister to the dentist to hold her hands down! Dentistry has come a long way since the 60s.
DeleteI hate everything they put in your mouth, there doesn't seem room enough and I always want to swallow as well which is not good.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how your mouth can feel so dry and yet there is an irresistible urge to swallow.
DeleteI had a back tooth removed in the summer, it was cracked and stubborn to be removed, my face ached for days. Hope you heal quicker.
ReplyDeleteOh, poor you - that sounds miserable.
DeleteAn hour! Sounds like torment.
ReplyDeleteThere are better ways to spend an hour, I must say. Hope your cold sore is healing now.
DeleteMy jaw used to dislocate; a dentist showed me that the bone where lower meets upper weren't fully formed on one side. Passion killer when snogging, and liability when at dentist.
ReplyDeleteWhich did you give up first - snogging or the dentist? Dislocation is painful, though. Poor you.
DeleteA visit to the dentist is the worst thing and I feel for you! I have to go soonish and although I have the loveliest dentist, I still hate, loathe and detest the visit! And then there’s the shock of the bill! I hope that you are feeling ok now. 😁
ReplyDeleteMy dentist is so considerate and careful, but I still have to force myself to relax.
DeleteI'm glad you're getting the problem resolved. I too have lain in the chair at the dentist in order to have my mouth fitted for a crown. When all is done it's worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I just don't want to lose the tooth after all this palaver!
DeleteOh my word, an hour in the dentist chair. That’s the things nightmares are made of
ReplyDeleteI actually feel quite sorry for dentists. I doubt many people look forward to a dental appointment.
DeleteI loathe dentists; I've never had a good one. Then we moved to Camden and found a dentist here that is really good, really nice, and not as abrasive as the ones I've had in the past.
ReplyDeleteIt makes such a difference if your dentist presents as a human being!
DeleteI was recently scanned as well -- for the first time.
ReplyDeleteIt's the tiddley-pom 'music' that gets me every time and makes me smile.
DeleteOh I hate going to the dentist. You sound really brave for such a long visit. After having work done on a tooth at the back of my jaw I couldn't open my mouth properly for weeks. It was coming up to Christmas and I couldn't get a whole ferrero rocher in!
ReplyDeleteNow that really is a disaster. 🤣😂
DeleteOoh yes, despite huge improvements in all things dental an hour ( sometimes more!) in the dentists chair is not something we look forward to! Hope you are feeling well today.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
The mouth is such an intimate part of the body and not made to accommodate large bits of dental equipment.
DeleteDentistry has come a long way. They do many more procedure with less discomfort. Get ready for the fun of cataract surgery!
ReplyDeleteIt has come a very long way. Cataracts are not 'ripe' enough, yet. One day!
DeleteI am lucky to have a very good and gentle dentist. Even so, visits to that office are never fun.
ReplyDeleteMy dentist is very kind but even so, he's a dentist . . . 😟😳
ReplyDeleteHope the crown turns out well for you, making it all feel worth while. I had two crowns made by scanning like that, a few years ago, and they both came out perfect, and have given me no trouble since.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica, that's encouraging to hear. 😁
DeleteUgh, the dentist. No matter how hard they try, it's never comfortable. Hope all works out well.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm sure it will. 😳
DeleteI couldn't help but smile at your at times witty post, and that's a compliment from someone with dentist trauma! That said, having a small mouth, I always worry about dislocating my jaw, and I always end up with a headache after a visit to the dentist! xxx
ReplyDeleteI can never understand why people take up dentistry. Delving around in people's mouths is not an attractive proposition.
DeleteThat sounds tough. I hope everything goes quicker next time.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds worse than it was, with my default position of exaggeration. 😟
DeleteGrateful and thankful is good -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI count my blessings most days . . .
Deleteyou have described my worst nightmare, until of course Alzheimer's came along and took over 1st place. dentist is a dirt word
ReplyDeleteSandra, you are magnificent.
DeleteIt's never fun going to the dentist that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice when it's over. 😁
DeleteYour dentist does appear to have and use all the latest equipment.
ReplyDeleteI do think it would have been polite for you to be asked about the nurse taking her turn to learn though.
Hope you backache and headache goes and that your gum does not feel too sore for too long.
All the best Jan
I think it was an oversight on his part. He's a very courteous man, normally.
DeleteI questioned my dentist this last time- why can't somebody invent a drill without that drilling noise. A soundless drill in the mouth would be an awesome invention.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's possible, though probably at horrendous cost!
DeleteI certainly think they should have asked before having the training one pop into your mouth too lol. I hate the dentist which reminds me the appointment is coming up. My dentist has a contraption they pop into your mouth that is supposed to help not get an aching jaw. It's not very comfortable
ReplyDeleteThey do their best, but there's still quite a long way to go. Personally, I'd like to sleep through the procedures!
ReplyDeleteOh!!! Since I just mentioned the D word in my last comment!! I desperately need yo find a dentist since I haven't been since pre 2020...i got taken off the books after not making an appointment because of Lockdown and then told I was over 2 years so not a patient. Your ordeal sound grim - I really struggle with keeping my mouth open. I have such a dreadful gag reflex that I often gag on my own toothbrush so any procedure is arduous!
ReplyDeleteIf I could go back in time, I would have made greater efforts to overcome my dental phobia. I always think of Pam Ayres' poem . . .
DeleteThose new scan things are amazing (xrays show up possible decay, the scans do the 3-D thing so that the new fitting actually fits) I had a filling redone recently by 3D scan. The filling ceramic stuff was milled to shape in a fancy lathe while I watched it work then glued into place. So much less stress over getting the filling into the tooth and it fitted perfectly when given the bite test - no grinding bits off to get rid of that lumpy feeling.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I haven't been invited to watch the moulding of the filling - I feel quite let down, now.
DeleteI am happy ! I don't have to go to the dentist anymore ! When I was around 60 I got periodontitis and my so beautiful teeth fell out slowly, slowly, causing a lot of work (and money) by the dentist. After having tried bridges and I don't know what, without result, after a while it wiggled waggled again, I told her to pull out all my teeth, which she did and she did an excellent work, she copied exactly my teeth, nobody saw the difference and it's now over 20 years I still have them !! and it doesn't disturb me at all.
ReplyDeleteMiddle daughter is having a lot of trouble with her teeth and will lose them eventually. It's just bad luck, not poor care.
ReplyDelete