Hell Hath No Fury...

...like a visit to the dentist!

I went in Saturday morning at 9am for my top fillings. Despite getting the earliest appointment, there were already other patients there and the office was quite busy. I was often left alone in the dental chair.

The dentist gave me a numbing agent called Lidocaine then left me alone for about fifteen minutes to take effect. I could feel it in my lips and it traveled up to the lower part of my nose. He came back and asked me if I had any concerns. I said pain. He said the Lidocaine would keep me from feeling anything but pressure. Turns out he was wrong. turns out my gums required more than the dosage he gave me because when he started drilling me I could feel it! I called out. He injected me again and continued.

He placed something in the side of my mouth to keep my jaw open. I hated it. My jaw hurt and at times I didn't think I could make it without pulling it out. Eventually he took it out and I got to relax my jaw for a few seconds before he placed it in the other side of my mouth.

I was hearing the drill, seeing smoke, tasting something gross in my mouth, and unable to relax. Saliva was being suctioned out or dripping down my face. I had to remind myself to breathe. I tried to close my eyes and imagine myself on a beach. My feet in the ocean water, walking along the shoreline.

He said he was done and I thought it was over as I breathed a sigh of relief. Then he said he would return to place the fillings. Noooo!!!!

A different assistant came in and put metal things in my mouth. She said she was prepping my teeth for the dentist. I felt pressure but no pain. After she left I grabbed my purse with my foot and lifted it to my reach. I pulled out my phone and took two pictures. Here they are:

These may make good Halloween pictures, huh?

The dentist returned at the fillings were placed. I think the Lidocaine was wearing off because I felt pain on one of the teeth he filled. I told him. It felt like an exposed nerve but I don't know for sure. He told me to relax my tongue but I couldn't feel it, let alone control it. The assistant kept suctioning my mouth and twice I had to pull it out because it felt like she was choking me. She wanted me to close my lips around the tool but I couldn't because they were numbed so much. I felt drool drip from my mouth to down the side of my neck. Please be done! Please be done!

I was ready to jump out of my skin when he finally said he was all done. I thanked him even though I hated him for hurting me. I paid to be tortured and I thanked him for it! Well, he was nice overall.

I scheduled my next appointment for two weeks later. At least it will be less teeth next time. On the drive home my mouth began to hurt. Later I ate lunch, took pain killers, and took a nap. 

I am NOT looking forward to my next visit!