I promise this will be the last tooth entry of the day. I just couldn't resist, because today, the good doctors at NYU Dental discovered a whole new way to make Judy scream. I was supposed to just have a quick look/see with my periodontist, but the problem with having a super-cute health care provider who works in a room filled with dorky dental students is that sooner or later, they all stop by to "see how she's doing."
Back off, mouthbreathers! Can't you see she's busy?!?!?
Today it was a horny endodontics student, whom she quickly roped into doing a consult on me. Great. This is after an hour spent having sharp probes shoved under my gumline. Dr. Doom strapped on a mask and gloves and sat down. He was there to determine whether or not I needed root canals on several teeth they're thinking about saving.
"Raise your hand if this hurts," he said as he sprayed what looked like canned air on the end of a giant q-tip. He had me open wide and laid the swab on a tooth.
"YEEEOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!" I screamed, bolting upright and practically vomiting from the pain.
"Okay, that tooth is fine," he smiled, moving onto the next one.
And once again, I was treated to the kind of pain that is so excruciating I can only compare it to biting down on a wad of tinfoil with a filled tooth. Or maybe it's how having electrodes attached to your genitals feels. Or getting your eyeballs pierced.
Apparently if you don't scream in pain, the tooth is dead and you need a root canal. Lucky me. They were all quite alive, thanks.
dear god. reading these entries is truly horrifying. i've had some horrendous dental experiences, but this is physically painful to read... i hope the end result is a either a pain free mouth, or a lifetime supply of vicodin for you.
Posted by: quitecontrarian | February 28, 2006 at 03:49 PM
Please don't let me scare you out of making regular visits to the dentist! My teeth are beyond the pale. Normal people don't have to go through this, so please don't worry. And floss regularly!
Posted by: judes | February 28, 2006 at 04:15 PM
don't know if i've shown you this:
http://quitecontrarian.blogspot.com/2005/06/dentist-drama.html
but i've been sort of there too.
Posted by: quitecontrarian | March 01, 2006 at 11:30 AM
Ouch! How reassuring—"you must have a different nerve anatomy!" Yeah, either that, or you have bad aim! Thanks for sharing. Since this started, I can't get enough of dental pain stories. It's good to know I'm not alone.
Posted by: judes | March 01, 2006 at 11:44 AM