Yesterday I had a tooth pulled. Today I feel sad when my tongue brushes past the place in my mouth where tooth 30 was. I took care of my teeth. I was proud that I didn’t have any cavities.
Yesterday’s story:
I left work at noon. Previously I had prayed that I wouldn’t have to have the tooth out; that something would happen to prevent it. When I got into the reception area, I heard that Dr. Farmer (the dentist that does the extractions, whom I had never met) is out and won’t be returning for some time. Interesting. I wondered why I didn’t get a call to reschedule. So, I waited and wondered.
An older couple came and sat down by me. I struck up a conversation with them. They live outside of College Station (where Emily will possibly be going to college). The man had a tooth break and came in to get it fixed. He was very chatty. He said he had previously had cancer and that the chemo and radiation was hard on his body. He wished that no one in the waiting area had to go through what he did, but he was happy to be free of cancer. Wow! An odd thing to hear when I am about to have a tooth extracted in the hopes that it will clear up the very same problem. I was heartened to hear his story.
Still wondering about my extraction though. Who will be taking out the tooth with Dr. Farmer gone? I was called back and the dental technician, Dr. Frazar, and Dr. Hedge walk into the exam room. The three of us have an animated conversation about my teeth, which one to pull, 29 or 30, the continuing debate. We agree that it will be tooth 30. And I learn that Dr. Frazar will be stepping in to do the extraction. Wow! Nothing could be better! This really fits with my previous vision of her working on me and …
I feel very comfortable that I am where I need to be. Despite my sadness at losing a tooth.
Dr. Frazar and I discuss the process and her plan fits with mine. I really love these people – we are on the same page. God led me to the right place. I had one additional request: I wanted the tooth to go to pathology to determine what bacteria was in it. And if possible, I wanted to send a piece of the tumor to the same pathologist. Unfortunately that wasn’t a possibility as a dental pathologist is specifically trained.
I received the usual shots in the gum to numb the area. Once numb, the tooth was extracted with some bit of difficulty as it was strong and well rooted in the tissue. One root was viable, one seemed devoid of pulp and it didn’t bleed. No necrotic (dead) bone was found and no cavitation as we expected based on the images previously taken. Dr. Frazar cleaned the area with ozonated water, packed in bovine bone, and stitched the hole closed.
All was well. Really no pain. I am absolutely fine now with the exception of some tension in my face due to my tight jaw and an odd feeling when my tongue senses an empty space.
I am also thankful to Chris, Regina and Melissa for their love, support and energy work. I know they were instrumental in ensuring my well-being and easy recovery. I drove myself home where my boyfriend was waiting for me. Kids came home soon after. They all took good care of me. I slept a solid 6 hours, and besides being tired, I feel fine.