Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Waiting Is The Worst Part

I'm so glad this day is over.  My coworkers have been telling me stories of wisdom tooth extractions gone wrong and I was really getting nervous.  I couldn't even eat much for lunch because my stomach was in knots.  Too bad too because now I am hungry.  I knew that would happen.


The whole process of yanking my 2 teeth out was awful enough to not make me want to schedule the next extraction appointment but not as bad as it could have been.  The shots were painful but I chose to do local anesthesia instead of general because the recovery time is so much quicker.  The yanking, cracking and twisting was quite unnerving.  The top tooth came out without much trouble.  The bottom one didn't let go without a fight.  The dental assistant took 2 xrays to make sure that all of the roots had been removed.  She messed up both of them so they ended up doing the whole mouth xray for no additional cost.  

Unfortunately, there was a little root fragment left behind(see photo, lover left) so they went in again and dug it out.  Not fun.  I was so glad when it was over.  I paid my $500 out of my health savings account and went over to the drug store for some Vicoden.  So far I don't need the big drugs.  I took 3 tylenol and have been putting ice on it.  If the pain doesn't get any worse, I think I will be ok going to work tomorrow.

6 comments:

Dave said...

Ouch! Oh Daizy, I feel bad that you had a tough time getting the two teeth pulled. I am also glad I never had any lower wisdom teeth in my mouth, only upper ones which came out cleanly in two separate visits about a month apart with no lingering pain. The doc put some stitches in teh gum he had totrim but they healed within 48 hours with no lingering effects.

I had a local (Novocaine) which as you pointed out, made recovery time pretty fast. I was also used to getting those shots which were okay but I was still a nervous wreck with other things such as gagging all the time (which somewhat annoyed the doc). I also made sure to have these done on a Friday because I did not have to return to work until the following Tuesday ( I was working part-time back in 2008) in case there were problems. I still had dental coverage at the time (which was a big reason I had this done) and the copays were $10 for each tooth.

I am sorry to say that I can't offer you any advice (other than waiting until you are 100% okay on the side which had the procedure until you get the other side done) but you seem to be in decent shape considering.

Lizzie @ her homeworld said...

Ouch just ouch. I am reminded of my extraction last year. Got there at 8.30 still in the chair at 10,45 but shaking with i guess, adrenaline. Still didnt get it out i came back two weeks later and found my dentist didnt work their anymore so I guess it wasn't just me he tortured. His replacement did the whole thing in 20 minutes! I am afraid to go for my check up now in csae they find something else

Daizy said...

$10 per tooth. That is quite a bargain. I suppose I could have gone to Mexico and got them pulled for much cheaper than $500 but some things aren't worth the risk. I had no idea the lower one would be so difficult. At least I felt good enough to go to work. I don't like going in on Monday and being behind already.

Daizy said...

Oh my gosh Lizzie, I am glad you didn't tell me that story before I got my teeth pulled. I never would have gone in! That is horrible!

Caitlin said...

Goodness. I need to get all four wisdom teeth removed and I've been afraid of getting local anesthesia because I am scared of hearing the stuff youve described and I'd freak out. You are much more brave than I am. Hope you feel better soon!

Daizy said...

Caitlin, I don't know if I am brave. I have 2 more to get pulled and I NEVER WANT TO GET TEETH PULLED AGAIN. Hopefully they won't break and I will never have to go through this again.