A Dental Update

I had my dentist's appointment yesterday. It went startlingly quickly! I had assumed that I would have to wait a long time and that I wouldn't get back to school in time for IO Chem. This was not the case at all!

My appointment was set for 12:15 PM, apparently. I got to the office in Maumee at about 11:45 AM. I apologized for being super early, filled out the requisite paperwork, and requested to use the restroom. I brushed my teeth in the bathroom. When I came out, the hygienist was already waiting for me. She greeted me cordially, and she took me back to the little room with the chair.

She had seated me, at which point I took it upon myself to announce, "I'm gonna be real honest with you here, I don't do the whole dentist thing real well."

Unknown to me, the dentist had actually walked in right as I said that! He laughed and informed me that I would be fine. Then he proceeded to ask me a series of questions. How long has this pain been going on? On what side is the pain? etc, etc.

I told him that I was pretty sure that I had an infection because it had been pressure before, pain only recently. That and it was fairly swollen. He didn't even put on a glove, just looked into my mouth with the little mirror. Then, after two whole seconds--if even that--he said, "Ah, yeah, I'm inclined to agree with you. That's certainly an infection."

So they didn't really do much of anything at this appointment. They gave me a prescription for an antibiotic, they took some x-rays, and they gave me a referral to an oral surgeon. Dr. Biniker told me that he recommends that I have the four wisdom teeth removed all at once and that I be put under anesthesia for the procedure. With this, I agree whole-heartedly. In fact, I'd rather be under than awake. I don't handle dental procedures well. It would be easier mentally for me to just be sleeping.

I called the office of the oral surgeon today to schedule my consultation. They were very nice. Unfortunately, the first available appointment date is, of course, my birthday. So, on my birthday, when I should be celebrating, I'll be at an oral surgeon's office, dreading my future. Apparently, my appointment is with Dr. McCabe, whose biography on the practice's website boasts an impressive 20 years in dentistry. Hopefully, he will be VERY understanding.

I have to admit, the notion of oral surgery coupled with all the things that could go horribly wrong scares the crap out of me. Really. No good. I'm hoping the doctor will be the wonderful man I'm sure he can be and prescribe me copious amounts of Valium...or Xanax. Xanax would be cool too.