Over the weekend, I discovered that one of my upper left molars was cracked. I left it alone and tried to remember not to chew on that side, because I was not in pain, and I didn't want to make an emergency visit to the dentist unless it was absolutely necessary. Yesterday, I made an appointment and went in this morning. My heart sank as the dentist said he may have to do a root canal, along with placement of a crown.
I've never had a root canal in my life, and I am such a baby about dental work, probably because, as a child, the dentist drilled and filled my cavities with NO NOVOCAINE! As soon as I sat in the chair, I tensed up and proceeded to take the white-knuckle, death grip on the arm of the chair. Then, as my long-time family dentist injected novocaine, let it take effect, began to poke around in my mouth, he spoke the anxiety-inducing words, "Oh-oh, I may have to do a root canal and a crown." I thought, "Oh shit! But if it must be, it must be."
Then I prayed, "Lord, be with me. Holy Mary, pray for me. All angels and saints, intercede for me." The dentist drilled a bit and pulled out the broken bit of tooth. Then he took an x-ray, drilled more, looked at the x-ray, and said I would need only the crown and no root canal. Yay!
"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Holy Mary! Thank you, all angels and saints!" - not spoken aloud, because I couldn't talk with the drill working away in my mouth. Good news, indeed, that I would need less rather than more work, but the drilling to prepare the tooth for a crown, was an ordeal, at least for Baby Me. When the work was done and the temporary crown in place, I rose from the chair in great relief. The worst was over. The placement of the permanent crown would be quick and easy in comparison.
I felt a little woozy and wondered if novocaine affects the brain or if the wooziness was the result of the ordeal that every dental visit is for me, even just cleaning. I drove home carefully, thinking that as soon as I reached home, I'd crawl into bed and go to sleep. Fortunately, home is not far from the dentist's office. And here I am typing and not asleep.
UPDATE: I edited the post a bit, to remove repetitions and bad writing, done under the influence when I first posted.
NO NOVOCAINE! ME TOO! I´ve hated the dentist with extra passion since--and I too struggle with with white knuckles and a death grip on my sensibilities (and sometimes crinkle my toes inside my shoes for my own distraction)-- When I was a kid the dentist, whom I´m convinced was a sadist/moron, used brass knuckles and gave me straight vodka shots (said it was water in a cup but later, when drinking straight vodka I remembered the exact flavor)and sometimes put his hand over my face so I couldn´t breath until I shut up-- trust me, he got as good as he gave and I still think I sometimes could get violant with these dudes/dudettes (currently I´m on my second lady dentist--the first, for over ten years in Puerto Rico, looked like a sexy cocktail waitress but this current one is very professional appearing, fast and no-nonsense, I like that)...I´ve been known to take a little ¨relaxing tablet¨ before the drilling begins!
ReplyDeleteI love real life sharing of phobias (and the sometimes reasons for them)!
Yikes (I´ve gotta go back, it´s time for my six monther!)
Leonardo, it helps to know I have company. I've still got the cleaning to face, along with the crowning, because I couldn't take any more today.
ReplyDeleteI'm still woozy.
HEAVEN HELP US!
ReplyDeleteWe had our eye surgeries around the same time too--I always like it when you go first--sets a certain human standard in my mind--nice always to know it´s ok to be nervous (and more)!
Love to you, stiff upper lip!
LOL
No Novocaine -- yep that was my childhood too -- my kids think I am making that up. One time our dentist took the rinse spray thing and sprayed my brother in the face for crying out. I still remember his name - Dr. Wheeler - he was an Olympic rower too.
ReplyDeleteGlad you did not have a root canal but mine did not hurt and the dentist was very gentle - used a hand drill not the power drill. I always need a nap after a visit to the dentist even it is just for a cleaning.
Leonardo, you chicken, with your, "You go first!" But I forgive you, because you send your love.
ReplyDeleteAnn, I can't think of my dentist's name, but I remember when I was a teenager that he wanted a kiss before I left the office, and I obliged. "Where's my kiss?" I guess it could be said that it was a grandfatherly kiss, but it seemed a little strange to me. One of my friends went to him, too, and he did not ask her to kiss him.
By that time, he was using novocaine, so maybe I kissed him as payment for the novocaine.
{{{Mimi}}}
ReplyDeleteI've got a Problem Tooth I need to make a decision about . . . sometime BEFORE, hopefully, it becomes a painful Crisis Tooth!
I, too, have horrible memories of childhood dentistry practices. We lived in the country with well water and so no fluoride and I had so many cavities. White knuckles, every time. In my early 30s I finally went back to a dentist and had to have all sorts of work done on teeth and gums but this time with proper numbing and all the rest. I don't know how they trained those dentists we all had who seemed to be sadists, but I am sure grateful for the transformation. Glad you escaped the root canal, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteEven with Novocain I hate dental work! Yu did supper and I wish I'd not be so frightened every time I end up in the dentist's office! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm another who had no novocaine as a child and have had issues ever since.
ReplyDeleteMy mother still calls me a baby as a result.
JCF, thanks for the hugs. I advise you to have your tooth tended to sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteTo the rest of you, we are obviously in need of a support group.
Ciss, I was proud that when he finished, my dentist told me I was a good patient. I doubt that he knew at what cost.
The novocaine is worn off now and I'm beginning to feel pain. I believe I will take an OTC pain reliever and have a lie down, which I should have done as soon as I came home.
When I was young I had lots and lots of fillings. Now most of my problems are from those fillings falling out after 50 years. As I got older there were less but my dentist always said "just a little one, do you want an injection?" and as I hated both the injection and the numb feeling for an hour or so after I said 'No" Then he inevitably said after a few excruciating minutes "Bigger than I thought" Still today's drills are so fast compared to those days.
ReplyDeleteFar worse now is my yearly visit to the dermatologist with the treatment of skin cancers on my face. They hurt like hell and sting for an hour afterwards. Oh how I regret those days at the beach.
My Tom always drives me to the Dentist because even though he is almost painless, I take 1/2 of my muscle relaxant "Flexeril" before we leave the house. That prevents my back from going into spasm at the thought of my time spent in the chair! And I'm sure it makes it easier on my lovely dentist, too. My lower molars are having to be pulled, and when I go to the Oral Surgeon for that, he gives me something to make me sleep. I don't think I could stand the sound of teeth being pulled!
ReplyDeleteVW = ruttocal! I'm sure that has something to do with root canals. . .
I thought, "Oh shit!"
ReplyDeleteWe are always entitled to speak from sudden shock though I thought, "Language, Grandmere!" as I read it. LOL
You have my sympathy. I had novacaine as a child but, like Brian, I also had lots of fillings that have failed in recent years. I'd love to send you to my endodontist. His root canals do not hurt (well, until later). The man knows how to use anesthetics. And the decor in his office is very tranquil and zen style.
A big hug to you, my dear.
Oh, Mimi, so sorry about the dental anguish, but glad you got off easy this time. Next time you need some serious work done, ask your dentist if he can give you laughing gas! I absolutely love it. It relaxes me completely and I go into a delicious altered state and enjoy my reveries while the dirty work gets done. I think they also use novocain or some other local anaesthetic as well, so there is no pain, but above all no anxiety. Surprised none of the other sufferers here have found that solution. I can usually drive home afterwards, too, if I sit for 20 minutes or so and let the effects wear off.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know you don't need a root canal. I've had a couple done in the past and it's not fun. I don't react well to the epinephrin they put in the novocain so I have to get the novocain plain which takes longer to take effect. Once my jaw was so tense,the dentist couldn't inject the needle and I managed to put up with no medication. I was grateful it was a small cavity. Fortunately it's been over 10 years since I've needed to have any.
ReplyDeleteI had serious fevers as a wee child and therefor many cavities since, I am told, enamel making got loused up. Laughing gas was the choice of my dentist -- later PLUS novacaine for really bad cavities. My kid sister was so suggestable that they couldn't give her laughing gas because she laughed uncontrollably -- not good with dental instruments in ones mouth. Glad no root canal, Mimi
ReplyDeleteMimi, I too am glad you don't need a root canal. Since you have never had one I can tell you there are better ways to spend your morning.
ReplyDeleteLeonardo, I would go to any dentist who gave me straight vodka shots (though I would insist on the Novocaine first). The sexy cocktail waitress dentist sounds quite fun, too. (Are you sure she was a dentist? ... Did you have the right address?)
Thanks, my friends, I've been asleep for 3 hours, and I'm still good for nothing. I've never had a reaction like this from a visit to the dentist. I want to go back to sleep again. I'm having less pain though. The pain must be from the injection. Later....
ReplyDeleteLeonardo, I would go to any dentist who gave me straight vodka shots (though I would insist on the Novocaine first). The sexy cocktail waitress dentist sounds quite fun, too. (Are you sure she was a dentist? ... Did you have the right address?)! Cathy
ReplyDeleteYup, elaborate dangle earrings, fluffed up hair--the whole megillah, complete with mini-skirt--very funny, she was getting married (second time) years ago and I exchanged my old Baccarat ¨Gold Circle¨ (discontinued) Wine and Goblets for Crowns and filling replacements (porcelain)--good trade in my opinion--btw, never met a mini-skirt I was in ¨ecstacy¨ with--give me a Quarterback everytime (and I´ll bet I won´t even need novocaine--you won´t even hear a whimper)!
Better take a nap.
Laughing gas is where it's at, Mimi. Sadly out of fashion nowadays, but great fun.
ReplyDeleteOh owww poor Grandmere! I've been putting off going for a month or so now --no, that's a lie... a year or two now... and all this isn't making it any better... sigh....
ReplyDeleteGrandpère said I slept for 4 hours. I think he's right.
ReplyDeleteI have never been offered laughing gas.
margaret, get thee to a dentist.
I'm going back to bed in a few minutes. Thanks for all the kind words. Ciao.
What is it about dentistry---esp. children's dentistry---that so often seemed to attract sadists?
ReplyDeleteI had one, when I was little (around 6 or 7 years old?), who had a kids-only "Under Sea" theme: walk-up dock, underwater scenes, glass floats, fishing nets, mermaids, fish tanks, the works.
But mainly, I remember him YELLING at me, as he was pulling my tooth: "Why are you crying? What a BABY you are! I've pulled teeth on children MUCH younger than you, and THEY didn't cry! You big baby!"
...and then when he was done, I was packed off to get a plastic trinket, from the "Treasure" Chest. Yeah, that made it ALL better. No decades-lingering trauma there! {sarcasm/Off}
Now that I live in my hometown (Sacramento) again, I go past the mere STREET his office was on, and it gives me the creeps...
From sadistic dentists: Good Lord, deliver us!
It's interesting that in times of severe stress we revert to invoking the angels and saints. And it works!
ReplyDeleteJCF, I don't think my dentist was sadistic. He filled teeth as many other dentists did at the time, and the patients had to tough it out - and be scarred for life.
ReplyDeleteOrmonde, I'm a tad embarrassed that I invoked "shit" before the angels and saints, or Jesus or Mary. I hope that they forgive me. During the drilling session, my mantra was, "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, help me."
I'm back to my usual self after a good night's sleep, following my four hour nap yesterday afternoon and evening.
Yup, elaborate dangle earrings, fluffed up hair--the whole megillah, complete with mini-skirt--very funny, she was getting married (second time) years ago and I exchanged my old Baccarat ¨Gold Circle¨ (discontinued) Wine and Goblets for Crowns and filling replacements (porcelain)--good trade in my opinion--btw, never met a mini-skirt I was in ¨ecstacy¨ with--give me a Quarterback everytime (and I´ll bet I won´t even need novocaine--you won´t even hear a whimper)!
ReplyDeleteLeonardo I'm sorry but you sound like you were having far too much fun for sympathy :)
Mimi, I don't think the saints, such as they are, mind in the least about a little language used in reference to the dentist. Just me own opinion. I might be wrong of course.
ReplyDeletewv - fachro! That's what St Peter said when one of the angels had to do a root canal on him.
Ah yeah, it somehow affects our awareness. Though oftentimes, we can't distinguish if what we're feeling is the painkiller itself or just our anxieties before and after the dental work is done. But as long as it stops all the pain brought about by the drilling and stuff, AND we can still type to blog about it after, then it's good.
ReplyDeleteMarcila, having had the dental work without Novocaine, i'll take my dentistry with it any time. I'd never had the drowsy after-effect before, which is why I was so surprised. Maybe I shouldn't have blogged, but I received good responses in the comments.
ReplyDelete