to the dentist!
some years ago, i was told that two of my wisdom teeth needed extraction. one india trip after another, i.e. one dentist visit to another, i was given the option to postpone the inevitable. the mere thought of extraction would make me shiver. this time though, it was time.
the first extraction was scheduled for 10 this morning. though i was dreading this appointment for days, i also used the chance to transform said dread (omitting details). when i awoke at 6.30 this morning, i was apprehending the experience already. meditated and showered early, after which dad said he would accompany for moral support :). i insisted it wasn't necessary, but when he said he could do with a check as well, i surrendered. ate a heavy breakfast (since i was plenty warned that eating would be a challenge after) and set out at 9.45.
the lobby saw more calmness within than prior dentist visits, surprisingly, as i read volume six. when the dentist finally called me in, my dad came along to say hi as well. was embarrassed ever so slightly. after all, at this age, i shouldn't need a parent escort to the dreaded chair :).
the conversation that ensued whence dad left the room was entirely pleasant. i listed out my (relevant) plans for the remaining portion of my visit, told her when i was likely to be around next, told her how my various teeth were doing, and how i'd like her to check on this tooth and that. entirely pleasant. she complimented me generously on my new short and curly look (stunned that she noted!), and asked how the phd was going. a first, but she asked about the book i'd brought in with me and i embarrassingly showed her the tattered library cover. she asked too if it was a textbook, though i'm not sure if that was before she saw the cover or after. (i suppose i could've answered in the affirmative, it certainly feels that way.)
i'll leave out the details regarding my root-canaled tooth (the same tooth that was painstakingly blogged about some months ago), but that process may finally be completed shortly. as for the extraction - it began with an almost painless set of pokes with the needle. i did ask if one injection was sufficient (it has not been in recent times), but was happy to defer to her expert judgment then on. after the area had numbed itself and she'd assured me there would be no torture (i promise i showed no sign of stress; i had already deified her in my faith), she asked me to open my mouth. what was mildly worrying was that her assistant was holding my head still, making me wonder how likely i was to throw it around in agony. but truly, the process was over even before it started. and before i knew it, she had placed a gentle wad of cotton in my mouth, and asked me to close. she showed me the tooth, which was way larger than expected. i was un-eager to take it home when she first offered, but it now sits safely in my pocket :).
and that was that. there was no need for a heavy breakfast, after all, because i was able to eat a fulfilling meal - no problem. i also got to eat a slab of vanilla ice cream (to allow the blood to clot), though i must admit i derived less pleasure from it than in days of yore when extractions were more common. now - there is barely-noticeable pain and overwhelming satisfaction :).
oh, also - i'd been under the impression that extractions required doses of antibiotics. have been cold/cough-ed out now for two weeks, and although the physician had suggested a dose of antibiotics a week ago, i resisted - anticipating a post-extraction prescription. perhaps all that bravery and resistance wasn't needed after all, but maybe i'm just a tad stronger as a result?
i have sung of dental woes so very many times that i felt a moral obligation to record this most-positive experience. if it makes just one of you the very least bit hopeful the next time you dread a visit to the dentist, my purpose will be more than served. i certainly cannot wait until my next piece of wisdom is extracted!
(ps: note double entendre in title of post.)
the first extraction was scheduled for 10 this morning. though i was dreading this appointment for days, i also used the chance to transform said dread (omitting details). when i awoke at 6.30 this morning, i was apprehending the experience already. meditated and showered early, after which dad said he would accompany for moral support :). i insisted it wasn't necessary, but when he said he could do with a check as well, i surrendered. ate a heavy breakfast (since i was plenty warned that eating would be a challenge after) and set out at 9.45.
the lobby saw more calmness within than prior dentist visits, surprisingly, as i read volume six. when the dentist finally called me in, my dad came along to say hi as well. was embarrassed ever so slightly. after all, at this age, i shouldn't need a parent escort to the dreaded chair :).
the conversation that ensued whence dad left the room was entirely pleasant. i listed out my (relevant) plans for the remaining portion of my visit, told her when i was likely to be around next, told her how my various teeth were doing, and how i'd like her to check on this tooth and that. entirely pleasant. she complimented me generously on my new short and curly look (stunned that she noted!), and asked how the phd was going. a first, but she asked about the book i'd brought in with me and i embarrassingly showed her the tattered library cover. she asked too if it was a textbook, though i'm not sure if that was before she saw the cover or after. (i suppose i could've answered in the affirmative, it certainly feels that way.)
i'll leave out the details regarding my root-canaled tooth (the same tooth that was painstakingly blogged about some months ago), but that process may finally be completed shortly. as for the extraction - it began with an almost painless set of pokes with the needle. i did ask if one injection was sufficient (it has not been in recent times), but was happy to defer to her expert judgment then on. after the area had numbed itself and she'd assured me there would be no torture (i promise i showed no sign of stress; i had already deified her in my faith), she asked me to open my mouth. what was mildly worrying was that her assistant was holding my head still, making me wonder how likely i was to throw it around in agony. but truly, the process was over even before it started. and before i knew it, she had placed a gentle wad of cotton in my mouth, and asked me to close. she showed me the tooth, which was way larger than expected. i was un-eager to take it home when she first offered, but it now sits safely in my pocket :).
and that was that. there was no need for a heavy breakfast, after all, because i was able to eat a fulfilling meal - no problem. i also got to eat a slab of vanilla ice cream (to allow the blood to clot), though i must admit i derived less pleasure from it than in days of yore when extractions were more common. now - there is barely-noticeable pain and overwhelming satisfaction :).
oh, also - i'd been under the impression that extractions required doses of antibiotics. have been cold/cough-ed out now for two weeks, and although the physician had suggested a dose of antibiotics a week ago, i resisted - anticipating a post-extraction prescription. perhaps all that bravery and resistance wasn't needed after all, but maybe i'm just a tad stronger as a result?
i have sung of dental woes so very many times that i felt a moral obligation to record this most-positive experience. if it makes just one of you the very least bit hopeful the next time you dread a visit to the dentist, my purpose will be more than served. i certainly cannot wait until my next piece of wisdom is extracted!
(ps: note double entendre in title of post.)
6 comments:
wow, most people i knew had to be on pain killers for at least 2 days after having their wisdom teeth extracted. so it's pretty commendable that you didn't need anything at all!
i like the 'deified the dentist' :)
what is the double entendre?
btw, when i got my first filling done (dec 07), my father sat in the dentist's room the whole time. fathers will be fathers :)
no no, she did ask me to take painkillers for a day or two, so i took a couple doses yesterday, but not out of need, so much, as out of intent to follow instructions.
there is some pain still, but within threshold of tolerance.
double entendre: 1. visit to the dentist!, 2. here's to the dentist! :)
and yes - fathers will be fathers, and thank god for that :).
haha! loved reading this post...glad to know it went well!...somehow i have always had the most pleasant visits to the dentists'...watching another has been more painful than being treated :)
perhaps it is really all in the mind then? ;)
Great post! Actually i have been searching on the same topic.
I looked for articles on details required before consulting a dentist in India through out the search engines u may say. But your inspiring read helped me. Thanks!
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