Tooth tales - Part I

While hanging out at the dentists office today (wha? you don't do that?), on a whim, I asked to have someone just have a look at my tooth that has been giving me a problem while diving.  Not sure what I was expecting or what I thought they might be able to do, but it was worth a shot, right?  And what else would I do while waiting for the kids to have their teeth cleaned?  

I noticed after our dive last weekend that my most distant, lower-left tooth was a lot more sensitive and I was having trouble with temperature extremes.  This has been brewing for some time now having first appeared last year; but only when below 70 feet or so.  I would get a sudden sharp pain, turn myself around and ascend a bit until it was bearable.  Eventually the pressure would equalize and I could descend.  The pain, on a scale of 1-10, is enough to make you want to shove that scale up someone's ass - sideways.  I know that broken bones hurt, burns hurt, but this really hurts.  On my last dive it seems like the tooth popped and cracked a bit more than it was before, thus the difference in sensation.

After a couple of x-rays and a visit from the dentist it was confirmed - the tooth is in dire need of repair.  A crown at a minimum maybe even a root canal, who knows?  The damage was caused by my wisdom tooth pushing directly on this tooth from the side, over time it's finally giving way.  I am sure that the drastic changes in pressure have contributed as well.  And possibly all of those beer bottles that I opened with my teeth all those years ago.  But before they can repair it the offending wisdom tooth has to go.

The dental assistant offers to set up an appointment for me to see an oral surgeon - fine, thank you very much.  Now I am thinking that we'll get around to it next week or so until she comes back and asks if I can make it over there today.  Today?!  Ummm, sure.  Surely it's just to meet with the surgeon and talk about my options, right?  Nope.  They're ready to start cutting today.  Well, I'm not - I've been avoiding this for years, I'll need some time to say goodbye.... you know, to my tooth.  Suffice it to say, they gave me the night to say goodbye.  Bright and early tomorrow they're cutting both lower wisdom teeth out.  At least they're going together, I feel a little better.  While sitting there going over the procedure and signing forms and such I ask if I will be able to drive myself or will I need someone to bring me.  They tell me that I should be fine because they have me down for local anesthetic.  On another whim I ask, "Do I have a choice?  Can I opt for a general anesthetic?", their answer: "Sure!".  Alrighty then, let's do this and I want the works.

So this time tomorrow ought to be interesting and painful.  I'll let you know.