bad news from the dentist

[Mistress Trista]

Today is just not my day.

I've had a toothache all weekend, so I finally got into the dentist this morning. I'd never been to this guy, so I had to go through all the xrays and what not. While talking to the hygenist, I saw this young guy come out of the office across from mine. He had the most gorgeous blue eyes and dark blonde curly hair. He waved and I could tell he smiled behind his mask because his eyes crinkled. I waved back halfheartedly, all I could do since my heart had just stopped aftering hearing the hygenist utter the words 'root canal'.

So she left the room and I was left in the chair, trying to stop the shaking that had started in my hands. I DO NOT do dentists well at all. Matter of fact, I avoid them like the plague. That's how I ended up with an absess and on enough antibiotics I'll glow in the dark when the lights are out.

Okay, remember the gorgeous blue eyes? They're attached to my dentists. I found that out when he sat down next to me and said hello. I turned my head and found myself not more than two inches from said eyes. Oh, hello. Even prettier close up. I dont' know what it is, but I always get stuck with the gorgeous doctors. Normally it wouldn't be a bad thing, but you hate to see a guy that gorgeous seeing you act like a total coward.

Anway, after a few minutes of discussion that I'm still reeling from, I have a bunch of work that needs to be done that amounts to a staggering total of $4700.00. Yep, you read that right. Trust me, I had to look two of three times myself to make sure I saw it correctly.

What???

Two root canals, one crown, one cavity, and deep cleaning that alone cost $847.00. After insurance, I still owe over $1700.00.

What is everyone smoking weed now?? Are they serious?? Let me tell ya, this dentist's eyes aren't so pretty anymore. Damn, there goes my Lexus cause I probably just paid for his!! Ugh!

[madlibs]

Trista, Let me tell you a little story in an attempt to make you feel a little more at ease. Last June, just over 2 months before my wedding, my dog's head hit my front main tooth (one of the big ones), and shoved it back into my mouth. I couldn't close my mouth. I was freaking out for several reasons. 1.) I didn't have insurance 2.) My smile was ruined 3.) I didn't have insurance!! 4.) Did I have to have surgery?
I went to the dentist the next day, and he was able to move the tooth back into place with his hands. Not a pleasant experience, but I was happy to be able to close my mouth. He told me that with that kind of trauma, there was a VERY good chance the tooth would die. It did. Turned black 2 weeks later. The dentist said he'd have to perform a root canal to get the dead material out, then try and bleach the tooth internally. Oh my god, was I freaking out. Same thing you described. Shaking. Tears would come to my eyes when I thought about it. All I'd ever heard about root canals was that they are the worst procedure you could ever have done. And do it on one of your front teeth? HA! Bad. I went to the dentist the day of the procedure ready to tell him to knock me out with whatever he had. He didn't. He just used novacaine! And, you know what? It honestly didn't hurt... AT ALL. There were a few unpleasant vibrating feelings that gave me goosebumps all over my entire body, but that was it. No pain. Just telling you this to hopefully make you feel a little better. Now, the money side of things... Well, that just sucks.

[katbuad]

As a frequent flyer in the dentist chair, I strongly recommend the GAS along with as much novicane as you can talk the dentist into. And no matter how pretty those blue eyes are, keep your eyes shut. Relaxed close, not squinched up tight closed. Take your ipod or cd's. Take your shoes off. Take a blanket if you want. Don't cross your arms or legs. Take DEEP breaths through your nose. You will be floating on cloud nine in no time.

It is after you are home with no gas and the novicane wears off is went the ache sets in. I usually take some tynonel when I first walk in the door, even if at the moment it doesn't feel too bad.

Best of luck.

[the_woman_99]

I am extremely terrified of the dentist as well. I remember one time I was in high school and I had an appointment later in the day and as the day wore on I was making myself more and more sick over it that I finally called the dentist and had to re-schedule because I was too sick over it. I have gotten a little better but not by much. I had to get my wisdom teeth out this past summer. He told me that he could do it but that he would only be able to put me under with local and not the hard stuff. I just laughed at him and told him to give me some names of some oral surgens who do that kind of thing. It was great being put to sleep through the whole thing. I was a little weepy when I came out of it but I didn't feel a thing and slept pretty much the rest of the day.

Good Luck with all of that. I think that the cost is rediculous these days for anything!

[Mistress Trista]

I've had teeth pulled and cavities filled, but never a root canal and I'm already a nerveous wreck over it. I've always heard they're incredibly uncomfortable. I have to finish the antibiotics first before he'll do anything, so i have a couple of weeks to to really get worked up...

[Amanda]

Trista- You MUST do search for "root canal"! I posted a bunch about mine from a year or so ago. It cost me a lot of money although not as much as yours.
I wrote a lot about it! Ahhh, memories!

root canal?

[Mistress Trista]

I read through some of it. Oh My God. It's done in more than one appointment?? Somebody just shoot me now, seriously. I can't do this...

[madlibs]

Yeah, I had to go back 2 or 3 times for the root canal, then several times for the bleaching. Since the bleaching was done internally, they had to bore out the temporarly filling each time. Like I said before, that was the only uncomfortable sensation. I was just as scared as you are now, and I swear to you... there was no pain.

[ccbegay]

Oh Trista I feel for you...every time I have gone to the dentist, I get a panic attack, not good...my new dentist is really good at comforting me, but still I just panic...sorry I can't offer much help, but I too have dentist worries coming in the next couple of weeks, 3 cavities...I'm here with you...

[Kristie]

be careful about that deep cleaning....i had that done once and my gums still aren't that much better.. granted, they've increased a bit in suction against the tooth (less indentation) but my recession is still getting worse and the dentist says its because my teeth are "on the move again" and i should get braces again...ick!!

I haven't had a root canal and hope to never have one... one of hte main reasons i actually go to a dentist every 6 months. prevention hopefully will keep a root canal away. i have however had a crown put in and be prepared to use tylenol or aleve or something for at least a month....it can take a while for your mouth/jaw to "accept" a crown much less a filled cavity. I just had my silver fillings taken out and replaced with porcelain a bit ago and one of my teeth is still giving hassle when it comes to eating.

I also find that i get really sensitive about the injections...after a while of getting them, the mouth tends to not de-numb as quick which can be a bit painful..

then again, i just might be more sensitive than most as well... who knows!