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 Visit

It sounds like a car wash. Four weeks ago I had a “power wash” performed on my teeth and I would need to return for a “deep clean” in another month. In between visits my husband is having other issues, including implants. He could have all of his teeth replaced for a small fortune. What made it worse was we moved two years ago and we hadn’t met our new dentists yet. Neither my husband nor I had been to the dentist since the pandemic and it obviously created teeth problems. We always went every six months, but I had to cancel our first appointment because my mom passed away, and then we were stuck in the house until we got vaccinated. So today I returned for the “deep clean” which meant cleaning under the gums. That meant some sort of sedation. I was ready to get novocain, but decided to start with the topical number. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, but having had TMJ surgery almost forty years ago makes going for any dental procedure difficult. Now I need to return in four months rather than six, and need to start using several new appliances to keep my guns healthy. That includes a gum stimulator, extra wide floss, a proxabrush, and advanced dental picks. Having a mouth full of fillings, crowns, and wearing a night guard every night cause bacteria buildup so all of these utensils are required. I always flossed and used dental picks and brushed all of the time. Something happened over the last year - and I can feel it in my bones and my teeth. Hopefully my teeth will weather the storm and stay with me for years to come. Now it’s time to make a doctor appointment. 

Dentist and Implants

We had dental appointments set up for February 2020. We always go every six months for routine cleaning and check ups. Since we moved from Capitol Hill to northern Virginia we had to find a new dentist. So we selected someone who is not even a block away. When my mom died in February the appointment was canceled. Then came the pandemic and it’s been over a year and a half since we last visited a dentist. That’s not a good thing. This month we finally got appointments set again only after we were vaccinated. My husband has a lot of work that needs to be done. So we are taking that one step at a time. I need to have an extensive gum cleaning after having a “power wash.” She also has designs on my old fillings, but I’m not in any hurry. After having had TMJ surgery almost forty years ago I can’t stand the dentist chair. So my husband ended up with one implant this week. They needed to first pull the wobbly tooth, do a bone graft, and insert the rod. Next week he needs stitches removed and the final implant part will be placed in 3-4 months. He has had a couple of implants before - one resulting in a broken bone. So now he is on an oral mouth rinse, and antibiotics, and an Advil/Tylenol combo for pain. Each day is a little better, but it’s not something to look forward to. 

Birthday at the Dentist

It’s been a while since either of us has been to the dentist. We moved to northern Virginia almost two years ago. We connected with a new dentist at that time and made appointments. But we had to cancel them because my mom passed away. Then the pandemic came and we didn’t reschedule. My husband had had an ongoing dental issue that needed to be addressed, but it wasn’t an emergency. Since we are now both vaccinated for COVID, my husband made an appointment last week that was scheduled for today. It’s convenient enough - which is why we selected that office. I can see the building from our balcony. It’s not even a block away. He’s been there now for over two hours. He called earlier asking for some information required for the office, and texted that he had an X-ray. I only hope whatever he needed to have done gets done. It feels very strange that he is away since we have spent literally every hour of every day together for over the last year. Even making coffee for myself this morning was a strange thing. To make matters worse it is his birthday today. We don’t usually do any official celebrating, but it’s a hell of a way to start the day off. Hopefully all goes well and he has a good experience. Otherwise we’ll be looking for another dentist that may not be as convenient as this. I am waiting for the full report upon his return! 

Dental Visit

I suppose it’s a good idea to be reminded that you are due for a dental check up. I usually ignore it until I get a second notice. Having had TMJ surgery, splints and mouth guards, root canals, many crowns and fillings, and a chipped front tooth from falling on the sidewalk - I don’t look forward to it. My dentist noticed a long time ago that I’m no stranger to the dental chair. So after the reminder to make an appointment, you get a follow up email reserving the date, and then a reminder the week before to confirm it. So when I went this week I always take prophylactic aspirin because of my jaw, and beforehand asked for an experienced hygienist because it makes a huge difference if you’ve ever had jaw surgery. I thought I might have an issue with a top molar, but it turned out being the inevitable tooth shifting one gets as one ages. For the first time in a while there were no issues that required a follow up visit or novacain. What’s most surprising is how people can afford the price of routine visits - close to $200. Multiply that by how many kids, husband, etc. Thank goodness we have insurance, but that only goes so far, including with the supplemental. Here’s hoping for a year without tooth issues. It’s about time. 

Oops! Dental Appointment is Next Week

I usually put my appointments on my phone with a reminder for thirty minutes before the actual scheduled time. But we also have a hard copy calendar that we keep for quick reference. When my husband makes appointments, he exclusively uses the hard copy calendar. He entered the latest appointment a month ago. So when he asked me when his dental appointment was this month, I reminded him that it was yesterday at 1 PM. Based on that we decided to do our grocery shopping on Monday rather than yesterday. So a few minutes before the appointed time he left for the visit as the office is literally a block away. Within ten or fifteen minutes he was back in the house saying that the appointment was for next week. So I pulled out the calendar again and it clearly looks like it was for yesterday - yet he insisted that it clearly looks like it was for next week. You be the judge! That reminds me - I need to print out a 2018 calendar. Where does the time go?

A New Dentist

My dentist in the Midwest was very slow and in a single practice. When we moved to DC eleven years ago, we started going to Capitol Hill Dental Group. It's terribly convenient as it is one block from our house! And, it has three dentists, is very modern and up to date - and very busy. Our dentist is retiring this year and has been part time for at least the last year. So occasionally I have seen another dentist whenever I have needed "emergency" treatment, or something requiring little notice, like a crown replacement prior to going on vacation. What's interesting is that all three dentists in the practice are female. My husband has always said that female physicians are always better, so the same must go for female dentists. I think he is somewhat correct. And as a matter of fact I have preferred my female care givers more than the male counterparts. I guess it may depend on what the problem is, but in general, the ladies can associate with you more. So I had my first routine dental check with a very nice "younger than me" dentist yesterday. She was very professional and matter of fact, but still a good listener and cheerful at the same time. I have seen her before so she wasn't a complete stranger. It's just one of those things I don't need to worry about so much - a dentist a block away, easy to get to in this crazy town, with a modern and up to date facility. She knew I was no stranger to the dentist chair when she looked in my mouth! And having had TMJ surgery almost forty years ago puts a strain on my jaw. Luckily all went well and I left with my new toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. One of these days I need to get a new splint. I'll save that for the next time. 

Dentists, Night Guards, and Dental Splints

Over thirty years ago I had what was then known as experimental TMJ surgery. I popped my jaw joint out of whack after chomping down on a popcorn that did not pop, and it was all downhill after that. I had headaches and neck pain constantly, a popping joint, and shaved down teeth to try and realign the mess until it hardly would open anymore. Following the surgery was months of physical therapy - including increasing the number of Popsicle sticks I could pry my mouth open with on the day after surgery. For the most part, Things have been so much better with an occasional reminder now and again - I really can't or won't eat anything that is hard - so pistachios, and a lot of other favorites are off limits out of fear! Routine dental visits can be torture because I can't tolerate a lot of pressure on my jaw or keep my mouth open for long periods of time. Since the surgery, I have always had to wear a mouth guard, so as not to grind down the joint and have the misery start all over again. That required a visit to s specialist who made a form fitting custom appliance at the Medical College. Since we moved, I've been using self made products, but decided to try a splint from the dentist. They started with a harder plastic mouth guard that of course is not covered by insurance. It required two impressions of both upper and lower teeth - gag! The sad part is that because it was hard, my jaw fought with it every night and lost, creating a very sore and swollen right side. So I returned to the dentist yesterday for a less intensive "cushy" splint that needed only one impression. Hopefully it will be able to sustain the impact of nightly fights. I'll probably chew through it in no time. But as long as it works, I really don't care. I'll find out tonight! 

A Dental Visit and CVS Pharmacy

Over thirty years ago I had TMJ surgery, so anytime I go to the dentist - even for a routine cleaning - my jaw joints hurt. Ever since then, I have to wear a splint at night to protect the teeth and the joint. Grinding does not help either! Last week I woke up with a jolt... Somehow the grinding and the splint got in each others' way, and something happened. The next morning I woke up with swelling on that side of the face, and what felt like I might need a root canal. So I nursed it for a week, taking aspirin, and waiting for the pain to worsen, and the hot and cold sensations to begin. Having been seven days with a weekend coming, I decided to finally get it checked at the dentist. They took a couple X-rays, but nothing was visible. She did the grinding and pressure check, and nothing was really sensitive. She cleaned out the trouble area and blew the cold air, but everything seemed "ok." It still feels like something is festering, and I am very careful when I eat. She sent me home with a prescription for a muscle relaxant for a seven day period to help allay the grinding and relax my face so as to reduce the grinding. Of course, all our meds are through medco, but I needed to pick this one up. We drove our way to CVS in Alexandria in rush hour traffic. I don't know which is worse...the tooth pain or the rush hour traffic. Today I feel a little out of sorts. I am super sensitive to any medication, so this one probably is no different. Did it help the pain? Perhaps a little. It didn't get worse.  I can still tell there is something not quite right. Let's hope it keeps getting better.  

TMJ Night Guard

For anyone out there who ever had TMJ issues, you never want to get in to a situation to put your poor joints at risk. Over thirty years ago I had TMJ surgery because I could no longer open my mouth, had headaches, shoulder and neck pain, and was generally miserable. Since then I need to wear a splint at night or the next day would be very uncomfortable. These appliances were always specially made at the Medical College. Since we moved to DC from Milwaukee I have been wearing an off the shelf brand and my front teeth have slowly been separating because it is a soft splint. So I finally decided to have my dentist make a splint - or night guard - for me. It required a visit to take impressions and it is made out of a harder, clear material. I was surprised it didn't have diamonds on it because it cost quite a lot. And of course, insurance does not pay for a cent - neither medical nor dental. But I can't risk getting in to a very uncomfortable jaw problem again. Every time I hear a click or feel any discomfort it is disconcerting to say the least. The first night was a bit uncomfortable because it is rigid and I need to get adjusted to the new appliance. Hopefully it will work out. I'm just glad there are devices out there that can ease the pain, but still can't believe how expensive they are. Let's hope I don't need another one any time soon - for so many reasons. 

TMJ, Routine Dental Visits and Expensive Splints

We have insurance. Every time we go to the dentist or doctor we ask how can people afford health care because even with insurance everything is so expensive. I've been having a lot of medical tests lately and am awestruck by the cost to have just basic things done. This exclamation comes from a family of health care professionals. Without any X-rays at a routine dental visit yesterday, it cost $170.00 to have my teeth cleaned and examined. Having had TMJ surgery over thirty years ago, I am very concerned about maintaining good care of my jaw joints. In so doing I need to wear a splint at night to protect them, and me, from grinding. Since I have almost chewed through my current splint, I asked about having another one made as I used to have special splints created at the medical college of Wisconsin before we moved here. My dentist can can have one specially fit for me to the tune of about $600 - and insurance doesn't cover any of it. It supposedly should last for awhile and can be reconfigured if the upper teeth require any dental work that changes the original shape - which does happen. Now i need to make another appointment. What I like the most is the little "gift bag" that is provided at the end of the visit - toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste. This time I noticed the toothbrush no longer has the dental office logo and phone number on it - it's just a standard toothbrush. Maybe it's just too expensive to have them made anymore!

 

A Necessary Evil

Remind me not to schedule any health care appointment in August. It was much busier than usual at the dentist office this afternoon. But that is the only complaint I can muster. Since we moved here, we have been going to Capitol Hill Dental Group. It is located about a block from where we live, tucked behind a couple buildings near Bullfeathers. Compared to my dentist in Milwaukee, this office is wonderful. I have had a lot of experience with dentists, fillings, crowns, and TMJ surgery and I try to avoid them at all costs. The hygienist does such a great job knowing that my jaw gets really tired and needs frequent breaks during routine cleaning and X-rays. I've had crowns done during the same sitting. All the equipment is up to date and state of the art. The best news today was that nothing needed to be done, but that the office was on call in case one of the many old silver fillings breaks. I think this is the longest amount of time that I have gone without some major dental work. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that I haven't spoken too soon. Stay away from the popcorn! That's what started a lot of this trouble to begin with!