A Dental Crown Replacement

I am no stranger to the dentist. In fact, with any new dentist they actually say the same thing. Aside from having experimental TMJ surgery in 1982, I have had several fillings and crowns. And for someone who is extremely aware of their sensory environment it is oftentimes a painful experience. Because of the TMJ surgery it is difficult to open my mouth for sustained periods of time. I oftentimes take prophylactic aspirin to reduce the discomfort. Even with flossing, water pick and electric toothbrush regular and routine use, my last six months check revealed a cavity and the need for a crown replacement on the last tooth on the upper right side. It’s been over four years since I needed any extensive dental work, so it was due. I have also been babying that side for a few years and it’s been a source of food getting stuck between the teeth because of the gap. So between cataract surgeries I needed to have a poorly constructed crown removed and replaced. I’ll take whatever lidocaine they can give me. At least now there is also a rubber brace that is inserted to keep your mouth open while suctioning at the same time. Unfortunately the assistant was new and/or learning and a few more impressions were required than usual with the help of a senior member who walked her through the routine. I’m not a good patient to practice on - my husband is much better suited. I couldn’t wait for it to be over and the permanent crown is scheduled for the day before my second cataract surgery next week. In the end I’m happy to have it over with - even though it felt like a dump truck was running through my head with the drills. I’m just thankful that we can afford the work - even though we still pay a huge sum out of pocket in spite of two dental insurances. It’s been an expensive health care journey last month and this month. How do people afford these things? Among hearing aids from two years ago, cataract surgeries this and last month, and crowns it feels claustrophobic. These are small reminders to be thankful for all the good things going on in your life. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that my husband doesn’t need any more teeth implants. That’s another story. 

Dental Crowns Are No Fun - Especially With TMJ

I had bilateral TMJ surgery over thirty years ago. At the time, it was a relatively unknown surgery performed at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Ever since then, going to the dentist even for a routine cleaning can put stress on the joints. So whenever an even more elaborate procedure is required, I get rather nervous because my jaw is sore for several days. As luck would have it, the last molar on the lower side chipped off and needed to have a crown because the huge silver filling was probably the oldest one in my head! But the promise at Capitol Hill Dental Group was that the procedure could be done in one visit. I had one done a few years before, and it was completed in one visit. So, after the needle and the numbing, the drilling started. That went well until... the machine that made the crowns stopped working. That meant I needed a temporary crown until the machine got fixed. So what was supposed to be one visit turned in to two. But I had to keep calling the office for a status and try to schedule an appointment. In the mean time I was biting the inside of my cheek and feeling awkward. So after ten days, I finally had it replaced yesterday - but that required some cautery, pain, more anesthetic, and finally a new crown. My jaw was tight and hurt for the rest of the day and finally starting to feel better this morning - although my face is swollen and uncomfortable. At least it was the lower molar - otherwise I would have had to have a new splint made for the upper teeth. I really dislike the dentist, but I dislike lack of communication even more. I'm anxious for the day I don't have to think about it.