The D Report

[susandennis]

First of all... you guys rock. I'm just so grateful for all your wonderful comments. And, honestly,I was kind of surprised at how much it really did mean to me! It was very encouraging - it really was... PLUS, I think all those crossed fingers and positive thoughts actually worked!

The people in this dentist office are all great. Really. And fun. I wasn't in there two minutes before the women at the front desk were kidding me about did they need to lock the door from the inside. I did not even get to finish one whole section of the USA Today when the assistant came out into the waiting room and said - really sincerely and very kindly - "Susan, Hi. I'm Lisa and I have been looking forward to meeting you all day!"

The dentist was equally great. And, all of them looked me right in the eye when they talked to me and listened to me and heard me and adjusted to what I said. It was actually kind of an amazing experience.

And... I have NO cavities!!

But, of course, it's not all good news. I have really bad periodontal disease. I have a small wisdom tooth that is loose (I had not even realized this until he mentioned it. I stuck my finger back there and sure enough, it wiggles! He asked me if I knew any tooth fairies... I restrained myself but had an enormous inner giggle.) and I have a broken tooth.

Given his druthers, he probably would yank some and replace with implants and cap some others after a deep cleaning over about 4 sessions.

But, he had me and not his druthers. So.... we compromised. One session where I will not be conscious. He's going to clean the bottom teeth regularly and then open up the gums on the top teeth and to clean those and then suture them back. He's going to pull out the wisdom tooth and fix the broken one and file down the rough spot. 4 hours. (He did check with the hygienist who said that I needed deeper cleaning than she could do. So that's why he's doing it.) (He also, initially, wanted to do it in 2 sessions. He admits that the days after will not be pleasant. I asked him why oh why would I want to sign up for that two times???? He got that right away and we went to one session.)

We talked about his new boat. He said he didn't have one and was excited at the prospect. He was really nice and fun and honestly, kind of charming.

It's likely I'll have to have deep cleanings every 3 or 4 months but, hopefully, none will be as bad as this one. And I have no idea how much it will cost. (The front desk people are going to find out from my insurance people what they cover and then let me know ... one of them did say that her boyfriend did re-financing if I needed it which was kind of funny.)

THE Day of Doom is July 11. And I don't have to have someone there but I do have to have someone come get me and make sure I get home. I have no plans for that yet. I'll probably ask Sherry and Lee - it's in the afternoon so they will both be off work by the time the deed needs to be done so they might be willing.

But, I have no doubt that I will absolutely go through with it. I'm so lucky I found these people.

So... now it's baseball time, but first... I need to find some dinner.

Comments

[susandennis]

I just know the dentist, in particular, read your earlier comment. He was all over the 'it's your choice' and 'you don't have to be here' and he kept looking at me right in the eye. It was pretty amazing. I am so lucky!

[kyrielle]

Yay! Good news indeed!

Not perfect, but good is a start, no? I hope the recovery is as easy as it can be.

[susandennis]

A very good start. These folks were very honest with me. And the recovery will be ehanced by the feeling of 'it's OVER!!!'

[fj.livejournal.com]

Look, I am only pointing this out because the language in your entries is so flawless I look upon it as a standard, but "not be consicence"?

[susandennis]

That's hilarious! How in the world did Semagic spell check miss that one?! I almost hate to fix it. But, thanks. I will after that flawless crack. I'm a slut for a compliment.

[treebreeze.livejournal.com]

GodS Damn but I am PROUD of you! Great job!

I will be more then happy to be one of your tooth fairies...seeing as I am a Fairy and I have teeth.

[susandennis]

Exactly. When he said fairy, my mind did not go to the sprite kind... And, actually, all the fairies I know to have teeth - many have beautiful teeth. It did crack me up.

And, thanks for the volunteer. You are top on my list of tooth fairies!

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

Go you! And in a way the worst of the anticipation is over!

[susandennis]

You are so right. I had such a feeling of burden release last night! Imagine how I'm going to feel the day after I have all this done!

[susandennis]

Actually, my taste came back last weekend about as mysteriously as it disappeared. But, I did mention it to him and he allowed as how clean teeth may well improve it still!

[susandennis]

I do plan to take the day after off (if I'm even working then) and spend it drugged up and oblivious.

sounds *generally* good ...

[henare.livejournal.com]

sounds like nothing that can't be managed. i personally prefer it if the dentist does the cleaning--my dentist prefers it, too (she checks things out while doing the cleaning) ...

and it sounds like they were prompt, too, which always helps. (you may have seen in my own journal how my MD is always, always late ... )

hearing allt his talk makes me think i should get my dentist to bust out the drugs. i don't really need them (see earlier item on this) but i've been a good citizen and i deserve 'em! :)

Re: sounds *generally* good ...

[susandennis]

The prompt thing was something that I did not fully appreciate until after. But, the only waiting I did was towards the end when the dentist went to talk to the hygenist. They were all very on time with no waiting which was really very exceedingly cool.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I got pain killers for the following day, and I still have them, never needed them.

My dentist is always late. I won't wait for an hour, so a couple of times I asked them to reschedule, but I love that he cares about his patients, so I tolerate it. He is so great with me.

PS: Don't you feel grown-up?

[susandennis]

Yeah, I thought the no waiting thing was particularly impressive. It said 'you are important to us' in a big way. I'll feel a little more grown up after I have all this behind me for at least 3 months... Right now I feel like I wish she hadn't been so agressive in shoving that x-ray thing up against the roof and bottom of my mouth - they are sore today! But, that's a nit.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

To be honest, that xray thing was one of the most uncomfortable things I had done, so it really is a different ballgame than when I was growing up, I guess.

[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

Wow, no cavities!! That's great that everyone was so nice to you.

They won't just put you in a cab??

[susandennis]

The one woman at the front desk probably could be talked into it. She did say, as they were discussing, that she could take me down to the cab and then come by my house later and check up on me. I was astounded at her offer. They were all about making it happen.

[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

Wow!! I'd be astounded too. That's wonderful. :)

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear it's not as bad as it could have been, and that does sound like a very good office, from the dentist through to the office staff.

Did they give you advice about gum mainenance (regular flossing, etc.)? If they did, will you follow it?

now it's baseball time

...with your guys once again failing to do their job.

[susandennis]

The dentist did say that vigorous care of my teeth and gums will make the biggest difference between this whole thing working or not. He asked me if I had ever tried an eletronic toothbrush and I allowed as how I had but gave it up but was willing to try again and would do everything he told me to do. And I will. I really will.

I blame myself for the baseball. I was distracted. Tonight will be different.

oh what a brave little soldier you are!

[rev-hank.livejournal.com]

;)
seriously though!
good for you, S. I HATE going to the dentist!! where did you find this guy??
will he do exchange for massage?!?!
:P

Im so glad to hear that everything went so well for you. If you had had a really bad experience you wouldve never gone back.

no cavities?!?!
Im in awe.

Re: oh what a brave little soldier you are!

[susandennis]

I found this guy by googling for 'sedation dentist Seattle' - http://www.bryantdds.com/. The cost thing is an issue and I don't know how much yet. But, they didn't charge me anything yesterday.

I've had a lifetime of bad experiences/never going back - so I'm very glad to have a good one for a change and so far, I'm ok with going back :)

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Yay! You had a good dentist appointment. Well, not all good, but those people seemed to get the fact that you were nervous and made you at ease. That is very cool.