Yesterday I mentioned getting flowers for the dentist (Dr. Michelle Stoffa) . I went to Sam’s and spotted this beautiful flower pot full of tulips. $20. Perfect. Fresh cut flowers were about the same price and who knows if she’s got a vase there at the office. This was a gift to thank her for all the time she spent with me yesterday to determine which teeth needed root canals.
Today I returned to the office with flowers in hand and expected an easy visit. It took 2.5 hours for one tooth and she’s not 100% done! Yesterday she warned me that one root (nerve) has an S shape and will be tricky.
They drill a hole and then use the blue tipped thing above (a file) to bore away the nerve. I’m numb, piece of cake. Not. The tooth was so bad (inflamed) it wouldn’t stop bleeding for her to see what she was doing. There were also 3 nerves. The files are different thicknesses and lengths. It’s so thin (like dental floss) it’s amazing how it’s done. Root canals in the past have been a 30 minute process. Like I said, 2.5 hours. Toward the end, the anesthetic was wearing off.
Another problem… yes, another was that the end of the nerve is so thin she can’t pack it. When I go back, she’ll need to make the canal wider. So, Monday I may get the other tooth done too. This one was $520, the next one will be over $900 because insurance is spent. I thought it was already spent. I’m just sick over the whole thing.
Because the anesthetic was wearing off, my tooth was throbbing before I even left the office. She gave me an 800mg Ibuprofen pill. When I got home I filled a prescription for Lortab, a 12 pill count which only cost me $1.82.
So I took the Lortab. I’ve got a love-hate relationship with pain killers. Oh sure, it stops the pain. Unfortunately they make me dizzy, and tired. Needless to say I was zonked out at 9pm. Tomorrow I drive to Myrtle Beach, spend the night and come back home with my mom. I’m thinking I’ll need to lay off the Lortab on the drive over? It really makes me sle
 I spoke about “dry heat”. Jim spends a lot of time watching Designing Women on youtube.com. We discover the fender skirt is a pain in the ass to locate. Our furball cat couldn’t get groomed as requested. See it all here. |
I don't have dental insurance any more, so I haven't been to the dentist in 4 years.
ReplyDeleteI've had several (5 or 6) root canals. Luckily (knock wood) none were a problem.
Owee, owee, owee. Gah. Blergh. *shiver*
ReplyDeletePoor poor baby!
ReplyDeleteMy one and only root canal almost didn't happen because the molar in question was fractured from the crown all the way down to the tip of the root and the endodontist wasn't sure if the root canal would even hold. THEN I'd have to have it extracted anyway and get some kind of bridge contraption. We went for the root canal anyway and it's held. Four years later! That's one hell of an endo! Even though his name was Marion which is a woman's name. {Look who's talking, ALIX}
Anywho - I told you you'd have a birthday in that chair, didn't I? Root canals take forever.
Sorry you still have pain. Take the Loratabs and enjoy the rest while you can.
XO
OMG!! Way too much information. I hate dentists, and all these things they have to do. It is painful just reading about this.
ReplyDeleteHope you made it home ok on the Lortab.
You should have known I'd be the first to answer. Yep, that was a tough tooth to treat. She was right. Poor Garret. It won't give you anymore problems. You are an informed and responsible dental patient. Any dentist would be proud to have you! Feel better now?
ReplyDeleteOh! I forgot to compliment you on not only your lovely tulips, but your artsy photography.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the one of your eyes peeking over the field of flaming petals. So pretty. The flowers... not so much. LOL.
Psssst... Nobody tell Lisa her comment wasn't first. It'll crush her.
I love painkillers!!!! I wondered after my ankle surgery if I was going to have to go into rehab for painkiller addiction. Turns out I'm not addicted, I just like them. Bahahaha. Vicodin is the only think that kills tooth pain for me. I feel for you Garret. I'll give you a big feel better hug in June.
ReplyDeleteWow Garret, I'm sorry that you are having to go through this. I've had one root canal done back in '76 or so... hopefully never again.
ReplyDeleteI think YOU deserve flowers now!
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