Return of the Cursed Tooth

[winter_elf]

Let's just say we've gone beyond 'A New Beginning' and 'The Cursed Tooth Strikes Back'. A simple (ha) dental cleaning visit turned into a 4 hour ordeal involving needles, drills, gooey stuff and lasers. What fun. Not.

Tooth #19 has decided that 2 Crowns are NOT enough, and that it wanted #3. The zombie tooth as gone darkside.

And we're not going to even get into the surprise in finding out about the sudden retirement of my long-time dentist! Argh! Luckily, I like the new guy. He's a chatty, friendly, younger, very conservative, totally takes time to explain everything and up on the new treatments, loves using lasers. Also, he gives shots by computer with a tiny needle! That gets my notice.


Like my Hygienist commented - it's not a good thing when the patient knows the tooth number. #19 - otherwise known as my left side lower six year molar has been a pain in the A$$ since the beginning. Not only has it been filled at least twice with the metal stuff, it was one of my first teeth filled for cavities, was the cause of me discovering I'm allergic to Erythromicin, has had a root canal, Been crowned, 10 years later, crowned AGAIN with a full porcelain and now..... has developed a cavities UNDER the 2nd crown, meaning it had to get cut off with a diamond drill, gums lasered, cavities drilled, tooth patched, molds taken and temporary crown and another visit in 2 weeks. Meanwhile I'd down a cool thousand since insurance hates paying for the snazzy, full porcelain bonded crowns my super acidic mouth requires.

And, now that I know what the tooth was up to, I'm sure it's trying to convince #2 to go darkside as well. Also known as right side top rear molar. #2 also has a crown, but the original crown with the metal ring. If that crown has to be replaced due to my mouth eating that metal (which I'm sure it is), it will most likely need a root canal as well, 89% sure on that.

So, I've spent the afternoon with a sore mouth and doped on Advil.

::sigh::

Comments

[doll-paparazzi.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you have such problems with your mouth. I may have to go in too and I have NO insurance. Meh I say.

::hugs::

[winter-elf.livejournal.com]

well, as long as you don't need a crown or rootcanal, it shouldn't be too horrible. Those are the two expensive things. Cleaning's usually run in the $100 range. I know, I have to pay for every other one because I need to go in every 4 months and they only cover every 6 months. My other problem is I can't get the 'cheap' treatments, I have to do the more expensive. And, of course, insurance is all set up for the 'cheap' ones. So doesn't cover much of the expensive ones at all. So for me, instead of $100 range for a filling, mine cost upwards of $300, because they've got to use the fancy stuff.

So, if you need to go, go. Waiting just makes it worse!

[lordgloria.livejournal.com]

My poor pooky!!!!! Teh teeth r my bane. Wish I could hug you -- feel better soon!

[april-art.livejournal.com]

Dental stuff can just be crazy! I mean, not covered by insurance, very expensive... lots of time and no fun... bleh!!!

At least it's a crown and not extraction and implants... So far I've avoided the implants... just am getting all my teeth (it feels like!) gradually crowned until no whole ones are left... ah, well. In the old days it was pulling teeth and dentures!

... still... would be nice if insurance was better...

[aries-jordan.livejournal.com]

OWWWWWWWW! Poor sweetie.

I was disappointed when Dr. Mariner retired. His partner is okay, but not the same.

[winter-elf.livejournal.com]

I didn't know he HAD! Actually, I got the 'new' guy, Dr. Brandon? I think was his name. I liked him. Reminds me a lot of my 1st Dentist, Dr. Turro.

[aries-jordan.livejournal.com]

Lucky.

I found out about a week after it happened when I went in for my 6-month cleaning. Apparently he discovered some sort of heart problem that made it imperative that he retire right away.