Teeth

I made an appointment with the dentist a couple of weeks ago.
I swore that I would have everything straightened out within a month.
Yesterday was the day to be reckoned with. Apparently I had 4 teeth that had
to be removed, one at the back on the upper left that was biting into my gums
because it had no opposing tooth definitely had to go. A molar that had long
been giving me problems also had to go. This was just one tooth away from
the one previously mentioned. I also had two teeth, one on the left and the
other on the right, on my lower jaw that were sticking out due to lack of space
and thus definitely are candidates for removal.

Thinking that I should have everything over and done with in one fell swoop, or in
two or three, I had one tooth on the lower left filled in and two teeth on the upper
left removed. Needless to say, the filling process was the most harrowing experience of
them all. It wasn't that painful simply because the dentist was very precise and for
that I thank her very much. It was the anticipation of pain that killed me together
with the shrill hissing whirring sound of the drill. And the sheer awkwardness of
a woman looking inside my mouth and the painfully uncomfortable chair.

After the first one, she kindly asked if I could take another round. All I could say
was, "no more." Then it was off to the removal of the two teeth.

A few dabs of topical anaesthesia here and there then came several injections all around
the teeth. It was a weird yet interesting experience. There was no pain, no feeling
at all. At one point I started tapping my fingers in impatience. I vividly recall the dentist
kept shaking her head because it was so difficult and I had asked her twice if she
was already done.

It was a painless procedure but I soon learned that topical anaesthesia has its limits.
Dricing home was torture. And I was writhing in pain at home. It wasn't exactly my gums
that were painful but the areas where the dentist had penetrated my skin for
the injection.

Now, there are two gaping holes in my jaw and the ever present bitter taste of iron
from blood in my mouth. Once in a while I feel queasy because of the taste and bloated.
And just a few hours ago I was close to regurgitating all the blood that I'd swallowed
the day before.

I would've liked to take pictures of my teeth but I thought it'd be overly gross. But I did take
pictures of the money I spent to pay for the operation. It is money well spent anyway
And the company's reimbursing me for it.