Smile!

About two and a half years ago, I had a root canal on a molar. A porcelain crown was then placed on what was left of the molar, and I thought that was that.

Except it wasn't.

It was just the beginning of a host of dental problems.

But let me back up. I needed a root canal because I'd cracked the root of my tooth because [drum roll] I clench my teeth. Yes, I clenched my teeth hard enough to break the shit out of one. So my dentist made me a night guard or bite guard or whatever you want to call it, and I've worn it really regularly, maybe 95% of the time — at night, as prescribed. 

That tooth with the crown? It never really settled down, despite what my dentist would call "occlusal adjustments," meaning she carved away at the tooth above it to make my bite feel more normal.

My bite's been off ever since (although I'm not convinced it's solely because of the crown), which causes a great amount of tension in my temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, and things have been aggravated recently. In the past five months, I've lost a significant amount of tooth enamel. I'm destroying my teeth. And I still clench them, despite specific massage therapy. My dentist has theories, but doesn't know what else she can do for me, so she's sending me to the Orofacial Pain Clinic at the University of Kentucky.

My evaluation is tomorrow today. I've already received paperwork to fill out, but I have to be at the clinic an hour before my appointment to fill out more paperwork. And then I have a three-hour evaluation.

I'm a little nervous. Not because I'm afraid of the dentist or anything (hell, I used to want to BE a dentist and I ended up marrying one), but because it's a THREE-HOUR tour evaluation.

Three hours of being grilled about my teeth (pun totally intended), x-rayed, possibly poked and prodded, grilled some more; it's enough to stress anyone out. 

On the other hand, I can't wait. I want answers. I like my teeth. I want to keep them.

Also? I just decided I'd do NaBloPoMo in February. I guess this is my first entry.

Comments

[bhd]

Your teeth are gorgeous and so you shall keep them. Three hours will fly by. Make them give you a (sugar free) lollipop afterwards.

[Linda]

De-lurking to say your writing is the best! Real life stuff. Looking forward to reading you NoBloPoMo style.
Linda

[cassie-b]

Good luck with your evaluation and treatment.

I just had a root amputated from my back molar 2 weeks ago. Hopefully that will keep my tooth healthy till I no longer need teeth. I was on a soft diet for a week, and am working my back to real food this week. There was no pain.

[gorillabuns]

I'm losing enamel from crunching ice drowned in my nightly cocktails.

I should stop but I'm not very motivated to do so.

[Betty C.]

Oh, you're picking up where I left off! I got through NaBlo fine...thanks for your word of support about the loss of my friend. He was really ONE OF MY GANG and I didn't know he was sick, so this has been really hard.

I'll try to drop in and offer you some NaBloPoMo support!