Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Smile...


I have just been to the best dental practice ever. I have been quite dentist phobic (and not just about the costs involved) since I had some teeth removed when I was about eight...I can still feel the dental nurse sitting across me in the chair, pinning down my arms and legs while the dentist was administering the anaesthetic, I recall screaming blue murder and thrashing around. Waking up after the procedure was just awful, I was bleeding profusely all over my brand new (for my birthday) yellow polo neck jumper. I still need 5mg of valium to even make the appointment. I researched and found this practice online yesterday and their website looked great so bit the bullet. I had a dreadful toothache as a piece of a wisdom tooth fractured when I was intubated for my spinal surgery. There was some decay under the fracture which is why it broke so easily.

The dentists and staff at this clinic are all middle aged women, around my age and older, every one of them. The dentist was so gentle, took a great deal of time, also took many photos which I could see immediately and explained everything to me as she examined me. There was also television on the ceiling, I could choose what I wanted to watch and opted for the fish tank DVD...!!! I chose to have the wisdom tooth removed and she did it there and then. Had it been an ordinary molar I would have had the root canal. The dentist felt it was the best thing to do as the decay had crept under the filling and gone below the gum line.

It was such a positive experience for me that I am now going ahead with a series have a series of treatments in the new year to replace my amalgam fillings with white ones and have my teeth whitened a bit, it's nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be but I will wait until I am working before I have it done given it's elective.

It feels great to have been so courageous...I really think I may be able to conquer this phobia...how good would that be...???

4 comments:

Kelly said...

thats great. dental phobias can be so inhibiting to good dental health and a great dentist goes a looooong way! is the amalgam replacement cosmetic or are you concerned about reported health effects?

watercolordaisy said...

Good dentists are gold.

Kori said...

I would personally just try to get over it but lie to everyone so that I could continue to get the vailum. Just sayin.' No, I am teasing; it is so great that you found someone you like, and OF COURSE you are brave!

Mouthy Girl said...

I am embarrassed to admit how long it's been since I've seen a dentist for anything - like you, I cannot stand it!

I am so proud of you and am now socking away money so that I can travel to Australia to see YOUR dentist! Ha!