Friday, February 22, 2008

the dentist...duh duh DUHHH!


Okay, I am so awful. I went over two years without seeing a dentist. I know, I know. But with three kids and a few moves it was just really low on my priority list. So I finally buckled down and scheduled a dentist appointment for myself. Well, let me say that I'm glad I did and I'm not glad I did...but mostly I'm glad.

First of all, it was nice to get my teeth all squeaky clean (actually he said for not seeing a dentist for two years they weren't bad at all). Secondly, he discovered a small crack on one of my back molars where a filling that I had was leaking into my tooth...or something along those lines. Anyway, bottom line is that it wasn't hurting me...yet. If I had waited until it did hurt, it would have been a very painful and very expensive root canal! Yikes! I had no idea. I also had a small cavity in the back that needed to be taken care of.

I'm not very fond of going to the dentist, either. In fact, I hate going to the dentist. And this trip just reminded me why. They had to take 18 x-rays of my mouth. Yes, 18. I almost think that's the worst part. Nearly gagging every time they jammed those sharp (I know they aren't really sharp but they feel like they are) bites into my mouth was a real joy.

After the cleaning came another fun part. I have this thing where I don't like being jabbed with needles (who does?). So getting shots in my mouth? ....eehhhh. Anyway, they really only felt like pinches so it wasn't too bad. The bad part was the drilling! I know I was numbed up but I could still feel it. Imagine what the "nails on a chalkboard" sound would feel like.

Then they had to fit me with a temporary crown. That seemed to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r! They had to keep sticking it on, take measurements and then pry it off. It felt like my whole tooth was going to rip out of my mouth each time. And it feels so weird in my mouth. My tongue is totally drawn to it all the time. The real crown comes in two weeks. I only hope it will feel like a real tooth and not this gritty feeling temporary one.

The best part (not really) was when the bill came. My insurance covered about half of the bill but I was still stuck with paying over $500. I guess it could have been worse. A root canal would have cost me nearly $2,000...so $500 is looking pretty good.

So the lesson here boys and girls:

DON'T WAIT TWO YEARS TO SEE YOUR DENTIST!

10 comments:

Desiree said...

Oh my, 2 years, I've done that before. It's not fun, sounds like you got some much needed work done though.
Desi

Lawther family said...

Ok Kim! I am calling my dentist first thing monday morning! I had a dentist appointment in Sept. just before we left Salt Lake and he said the same thing about my back tooth! I have a small crack and a small cavity that need to be taken care of! But unlike you, I chose to wait! Guess I had better get my butt in the seat huh?!

Anonymous said...

Wow Shailey! You are a great reader.
I especially like the part where you throw the pages to the ground. We miss all you guys.

Love,
Uncle Marc, Aunt Stephanie, Sidney and Halli

Emily said...

I'll be honest...I almost wanted to vomit reading that. I hate the dentist more than anything in the world. But I know you're right, it's better to be brave and go than have to deal with something painful and expensive.

Oh my gosh I have goosebumps. Eww, the dentist.

Natalie said...

THE DENTIST IS NO FUN! I actually don't mind the dentist. I worked for one for 2 years and it was not so bad. Everyone seems to dread the dentist though, and the drilling and the smell of everything do kind of bring back bad memories for me when I was little!

rose said...

yikes!!! i'm glad you didn't have to have a root-canal. and i totally gag the whole time i get the x-rays too. and they taste sooo gross!
i'm one of the rare people that love the dentist. i love getting my teeth cleaned. but i've never had anything bad happen either- no cavities, ever. so i've really never had the "full" experience of the dentist. and i don't plan on having it either.

Emily said...

Hi Kim!

I wish you could go to San Diego to get your work done--I have a great and honest Dentist. I have one crown, and he did it the same day!

I love your blog and think you do such cute things with it. I need a lesson!

Manda said...

Oh, Kim that's no fun! I hate the dentist, but that's becuase I always have cavities. I too hate those stupid x-rays! 18 seems a bit too much though! Hopefully the rest of the crown will go better!

the splendid life of us... said...

I worked for a dentist for a few months right before McCoy was born and I wathced them do all that crown stuff and I know it is not fun!

I so hate going to the dentist! i so need to get in soon! i should have taken advantage of my situation working for a dentist. i still dont have my wisdom teeth out and they need to come out sooN!

Lawther family said...

Hi Kim! I tagged you. have fun sharing with us. :)