Today I am thankful for modern medicine, medical equipment and whatever they give you to numb your mouth! I had my first ever root canal and in two weeks, I get to have my second and hopefully final, at least for a while, root canal.
I got these two crowns in late spring or early summer last year (2016) and immediately knew I was going to have problems with them but I had already used all my dental benefits. I switched to a new dentist and he told me at least one of them was going to have to have a root canal but he thought I could wait til after the first of the year when new benefits kicked in. It was rough but I made it. Knowing how painful it was, if I had to do over again, I’d just pay for the root canals out of Vince’s pocket. 🙂
Vince took off work to go with me and we left home a bit after 8 this morning. My appointment was at 10:45 and it was two hours away. We got there right on time, Vince left me there and he went shopping. I had thankfully brought along my knitting because they were running behind and it was about 11:30 before they brought me back.
I’m such a chicken at the dentist and I get the nitrous even for my teeth cleaning appointments. When I called the endodontist for the root canal appointment, the lady said “Oh, he’s so gentle . . most people who think they need it end up not getting it but you can get it if you want.” Then she told me it would be $90 and my insurance doesn’t pay for it. I’m thinking . . $90 for gas or $90 for yarn?? I’ll take yarn!
I told the dentist that I didn’t mind paying for the nitrous but I was going to try to do it without it. Honest to Pete .. I fell asleep with him drilling on my tooth. Can you believe that? After he was done, he went out and talked to Vince and Vince asked how I handled it and he said “Fine . . she fell asleep!”
It was not bad at all. The lady was right. He’s pretty amazing. He and his assistant seem to have a great relationship. She looks about 20 but said she’s worked for him for 15 years. They kept a good, kinda funny conversation going on the whole time I was in the chair. The time flew by. I can drink something cold without wincing in pain.
The bad news is . . he took x-rays and tooth #2 looks worse than tooth #3 but #3 was the one killing me so he did it first and I go back in two weeks for a second root canal.
Drunken Noodle
Vince had done some checking around and found a highly recommended Thai restaurant. After leaving the dentist, we went to Sam’s Club to stock up on allergy meds, tummy meds for Speck, some meat that we can’t get here, and to walk around while my mouth came back to life. Then we went to the Thai restaurant, had a yummy meal and got back home just before dark.
What a day but I’m so thankful to have my tooth not aching!
Dottie says
So glad one of the root canals is behind you….wishing you all the best with the second one.
Sue in Desert Hills (Phoenix), AZ (formerly in Scottsdale, AZ) says
Glad everything went smoothly. My dad used to fall asleep in the dental chair – I could never understand how he did it. I always have a tight grip on the sides of the chair!
vivoaks says
You’ve been blessed to go so long without having to have a root canal. I had my first while still in high school, and now I’m 61, and have had more than 20! Yes, 20! And I’ve found it’s always better to have the root canal before the crown. Having to drill through a crown to do a root canal is the worst! I inherited terrible teeth from my mom, and after all those root canals and almost 20 crowns, I’m now at the point in my life where I’ve had 7 pulled, because they just rotted away. Yes, I’ve always taken care of my teeth, and grew up across the road from a dairy farm, where we’d run over at suppertime and the farmer would fill the milk jugs fresh from the cows!! Thank goodness my kids fared much better…don’t know how they managed, but both my girls have never had a cavity, and they’re both in their thirties!!
Heyes Helen says
Hope you are feeling like yourself again.
Do you have to get a new “tooth” made?
On Christmas Eve I met someone I hadn’t seen in probably 15 years. His wife bought the equipment from a former employer and is now in business making dental implants. I’m so amazed at her, she is living her dream.
I had one root canal done when we lived in France. I hope I don’t ever need another one.
Paula says
Would love to know if your wonderful dentist is within driving distance of Needville,Texas!?
Kris S says
I fell asleep also when I had my last root canal. I woke myself up snoring! How embarrassing!!