The tooth is out there
Mar. 2nd, 2012 01:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bunsen_hAnother molar gone, victim to a raging infection. I am hoping very much that it was the correct tooth; it was the only one with any reason to be suspect, after a filling two months ago. "At least there is symmetry."
I am not very confident in my dentist any more. This is the third filling of his that has "gone wrong" in some way. I also am not terribly happy with the dentist I saw on an emergency basis last Friday, who gave me a prescription for an antibiotic that (as I learned later) is very effective on some infections of this kind but not very effective against a large proportion of such infections. He also assured me that he was "sure we can save the tooth". I admit that by the time I saw him, the infection was probably bad enough that even a more appropriate antibiotic prescription would probably not have let me keep the tooth... but still, he could have saved me some pain, swelling, consequent inconvenience, and recovery time.
Other stuff learned:
This extraction was my first experience with nitrous oxide, apart from as the propellant in canned whipped cream. I experienced the unpleasant partial cognitive dysfunction and head-buzzing sensation that I'm familiar with from blood-pressure crashes. (I imagine that the cognitive dysfunction is why some people use it and other recreational drugs. It's a sensation that I dislike, especially now that I'm regularly cognitively-impaired by medications and insufficient good sleep. "My mind is going, Dave. I can feel it...") I also started having a mild headache. In self-assessments of mood/emotions and associated physical indicators (tension, heart rate, etc.) I did not observe any changes. N2O does not appear to convey any benefit to me.
I came out of the sedation fairly quickly, as on previous occasions. When I stood up, I was slightly more unsteady on my feet than is usual these days. Self-assessment of cognitive function showed significant impairment. I felt no urge to do anything stupid. I think my general judgement of my cognitive state is fairly reliable; I don't think I'm likely to think I'm fine to do something requiring attention or clear thinking when I'm really not. And vice versa: when I think I'm not in good shape to drive or whatever, I'm not likely to go along with outside suggestions that I'm really doing well enough.
It appears that my generally-good constitution and resistance to minor infections does not extend to dental-related illness.
I would like my health back, please.
I am not very confident in my dentist any more. This is the third filling of his that has "gone wrong" in some way. I also am not terribly happy with the dentist I saw on an emergency basis last Friday, who gave me a prescription for an antibiotic that (as I learned later) is very effective on some infections of this kind but not very effective against a large proportion of such infections. He also assured me that he was "sure we can save the tooth". I admit that by the time I saw him, the infection was probably bad enough that even a more appropriate antibiotic prescription would probably not have let me keep the tooth... but still, he could have saved me some pain, swelling, consequent inconvenience, and recovery time.
Other stuff learned:
This extraction was my first experience with nitrous oxide, apart from as the propellant in canned whipped cream. I experienced the unpleasant partial cognitive dysfunction and head-buzzing sensation that I'm familiar with from blood-pressure crashes. (I imagine that the cognitive dysfunction is why some people use it and other recreational drugs. It's a sensation that I dislike, especially now that I'm regularly cognitively-impaired by medications and insufficient good sleep. "My mind is going, Dave. I can feel it...") I also started having a mild headache. In self-assessments of mood/emotions and associated physical indicators (tension, heart rate, etc.) I did not observe any changes. N2O does not appear to convey any benefit to me.
I came out of the sedation fairly quickly, as on previous occasions. When I stood up, I was slightly more unsteady on my feet than is usual these days. Self-assessment of cognitive function showed significant impairment. I felt no urge to do anything stupid. I think my general judgement of my cognitive state is fairly reliable; I don't think I'm likely to think I'm fine to do something requiring attention or clear thinking when I'm really not. And vice versa: when I think I'm not in good shape to drive or whatever, I'm not likely to go along with outside suggestions that I'm really doing well enough.
It appears that my generally-good constitution and resistance to minor infections does not extend to dental-related illness.
I would like my health back, please.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-03-02 07:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-02 07:11 pm (UTC)Hoping you recover well.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-02 07:13 pm (UTC)*hugs*
I like my dentist and she's located at Merivale and Meadowlands, which you might find convenient.
I can pass along her info if you like.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-02 07:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-02 07:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-03 12:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-03 04:40 am (UTC)Mine is Dr. John Miner on Metcalfe Street near Somerset downtown, who has kept my teeth healthy for the last three decades.
And *hugs*.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-03 04:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-03 03:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 01:00 am (UTC)