I'm Just Further Evolved Than Everyone Else May 6, 00:55

and

Warning: This blog involves talk of dentistry and the feeling of having a tooth pulled. Nothing graphic, but it makes my stomach wince thinking about it, so I thought it’d be best to warn you before I begin.

When I was 13 years old I found out that I’d hit the genetic jackpot: no wisdom teeth whatsoever. I was also missing a lower bottom molar, but my then dentist assured me that it was no huge problem. And it wasn’t until a few weeks ago when I stuck the handle of a razor in my mouth to hold it while I tried to lather my legs up to shave. I bit down on the handle and a burst of pain shot through my very back upper molar. Unusual because up until then I hadn’t noticed anything wrong with it. Not when I eat, not when I drink, the only time it bothered me was when I was brushing my teeth and trying to maneuver my too large brush head into the space between the back of that tooth and my jaw bone. I made an appointment to see the dentist, missed it then I made another appointment to see the dentist at 12:30pm yesterday. I went in expecting to have a needle in the side of my mouth and my tooth filled, I was sure it was just a cavity and that it probably wouldn’t be a big deal. That didn’t stop me from worrying about having the cavity filled, in spite of the reassurances from family and friends who have had much worse done.

Completely and totally terrified of having a needle in my gum and a hole drilled in my tooth I tried to delude myself into thinking that it would be a near painless experience and failed miserably. The doctor came in and examined my mouth and delivered the bad news: I did have a very small cavity in my tooth, one that didn’t account for the pain I was having, so he had my x-rays redone and discussed my options with me. Because I’m missing the molar directly beneath that tooth it was shifting downwards and would eventually cause me a great deal of pain. Blisters, abrasions on my gum and so forth. Parts of the tooth were already touching my gum and he had a bit of a hard time trying to wedge his little pokey instrument (technical term) in between my gum and tooth when I bit down. The Tooth’s root also looked quite odd, while the rest of my teeth were a whitish grey (sort of transparent), The Tooth’s root colour was almost completely solid white.

What it came down to, he explained, was I could either choose to have The Tooth pulled, or I could try to save The Tooth with a very expensive dental implant to replace the missing tooth. That would mean having The Tooth resurfaced and I think filed down. If I opted for the latter he’d fill the small cavity to see if it helped with the pain at all and if I choose the former he wouldn’t fill the cavity at all because it’d be pointless if The Tooth was coming out. I chose the former. I figured that there was no point in trying to save a funny looking tooth that I didn’t use anyway, sure it throws off the symmetry of my mouth, but on the bright side it now matches the bottom right hand row of teeth. I didn’t want to have the tooth pulled, I’d much rather have had a cavity filled, but the reality of it was that either the tooth came out or I would have to have a major surgical procedure done without the guarantee of success.

The needle on the outer side of my gum was almost completely painless, it just felt like a quick pinch. The needle on the inside was a completely different story. Pain barely begins to describe it. Fortunately by the time I had my third and fourth needles the first two had numbed the area so I didn’t feel a thing. Then the fun began: The first instrument was an extra large pokey thing (again, technical term) that he used on the side of The Tooth. I must say that the feeling and sound of the tooth cracking was worse than the needle on the inner side of my gum. The second instrument he used was a slightly different pokey thing that he used to push up against the underside of The Tooth. I preferred that one to the first one. The third and final instrument was a pair of pliers (note: this might actually be as close to a technical term as you’ll get here) that he used to yank my tooth out. Overall the process took about 5 minutes.

Now my gum is sore, I have a large hole where The Tooth used to be and I can’t really eat anything with substance. I tried to convince my parents that I still believed in the Tooth Fairy and that she should leave some monies under my pillow, but they didn’t believe me. Assholes.

I have to say I dont think theres any worse pain than tooth related pains!
If I had heard the cracking of the tooth I probably would have thrown up at that point :S

#1 Han May 6, 07:07 Permalink

Jesus. Well, I for one am glad it’s all over and The Tooth can retire. I know what it’s like to have teeth pulled (wisdom ones anyway) and there’s nothing worse than having pain in or around your teeth.

#2 Sarai May 6, 10:26 Permalink

Oh God. I have issues with anything… like, vibrating my teeth. The thought of someone accidentally scraping a fork against their teeth while eating gives me the shivers. The thought of, like, biting on to a piece of cardboard to hold it for a moment and having someone try to pull it out (and it scraping across your teeth) literally makes me sick. If I’d have heard or felt one of my teeth crack, I think I would have passed out for the first time in my 21 years of existence.

I feel for you, Becky, I really do. :shivers:

#3 Meli May 6, 13:58 Permalink

Han: If I had heard the cracking of the tooth I probably would have thrown up at that point :S

Halfway through I decided I changed my mind and wanted to keep The Tooth, in spite of the fact that it was worse than before. Somehow I managed to not stop him and let him finish. It was hard, but I kept my mouth shut (figuratively not literally).

Meli: If I’d have heard or felt one of my teeth crack, I think I would have passed out for the first time in my 21 years of existence.

I almost did! That’s why I changed my mind halfway through, I felt the tooth begin to crack and almost died. I’m so glad the rest of my teeth look to be in fairly good shape, I wouldn’t have had anything done had it not been for that one tooth. I hope I don’t have to have anything done anytime soon.

#4 Becky May 6, 17:13 Permalink

I’m probably going to have to have one of my jaw teeth pulled. It’s killing me. From reading your story on teeth pulling, I’m having second thoughts. Maybe I shouldn’t have read this, lol.

#5 Jessica May 6, 18:45 Permalink

Oh man, unlucky about the tooth fairy. In my house as long as you believe in santa and the tooth fairy they come. I was told I didn’t have wisdom teeth till magically one appeared. I have now had 2 out and that sucks. Except the tooth fairy has gotten extremly generous with age forking out $15 per wisdom tooth….So not worth going to the dentist though and getting teeth ripped out of your head.

#6 Nat May 6, 18:50 Permalink

I am scared to go to the dentist because I know my teeth are bad. I don’t have insurance because the guy at my work is dicking me around. Asshole! So I’ve been letting it go, hoping for the best. It started out as small problems, but now have escalated. I should have just went when the problems were small. Now I’d probably never be able to afford it if I went without insurance.

#7 Britney May 6, 21:28 Permalink

When I was having problems with one of my teeth the options were have a root canal, or get it pulled. Probably the most mentally agonising decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.

I went for the root canal, it was relatively painless except for the jabs. Sounds like the best decision really… although probably unwise as the tooth will eventually crumble and need pulling anyway.

I hate dentistry.

#8 Jem May 8, 08:44 Permalink

I had a problem with my teeth at one time. I had to have 2 wisdom teeth, and to 2nd molars pulled. I was lucky though. They completely knocked me out. I woke up and it was over.

#9 Veronica May 10, 19:54 Permalink

3 shots? I’m lucky if my dentist spares me 2… I think I had a tooth pulled once. I can’t remember if the actual process hurt very much, but I do recall having wished to be anywhere aside that dratted chair. She kept wriggling some huge scissor-like thingy at the back of my mouth…

Well… at least now it’s better… or well it will be… hopefully.

#10 Vera May 11, 13:08 Permalink

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