scpotpourri

Dental awareness was next to nill, when I was a child. It was limited to my gran’s dentures, which she hated with a passion, and my falling milk teeth, when I got 50 paise from the tooth fairy each time.

When I came to high school, I was introduced to Orthodontics. At that time, metal brackets that went around the tooth were in vogue for fixed braces. It was torture – the rubber bands pulling the teeth back. This was followed by a removable retainer at nights, robbing my mouth of peace and comfort.

After the braces and retainer were gone, it was a feel-good few years. Loved my smile. Worth the trouble I went through.

Next came the pain with Wisdom teeth. Can’t remember how many, but had some removed. This started my aversion bordering on scare of the injection into gums, which is there to this day.

Then into adulthood, came ‘cleaning’ every so often. Those days, it was mostly uncomfortable…took a while and keeping the mouth open for that long, was painful. For a week or two after that, teeth were sensitive to food temperature extremes. I hated having my teeth cleaned.

One thing I was in awe of was the Dental Chair and its evolution over the years. When I was young having braces put, I feared the chair – seemed to have monstrosity in its drills and suction tubes. And the position you had to lay in for a long time.

What they’ve become these days – integrated with monitors, x-rays, etc.

About 10 years ago, I had bone grafting done. I was impressed by what it entailed but still, the sight of instruments scared me. That fear exists to this day,  though I’m 61. I keep my eyes closed oblivious to the instruments being used on me.

You might wonder why I’m going down my dental memory lane. Well I’m having dental work done now and am actually happy with how it’s going.

When I had my bone grafting done, I also had root canal done on one of my lower incisors. Like my dentist had predicted then it turned a light grey and fractured when I bit into food.

So I’m having a Maryland Bridge put.

Cleaning was a breeze. Laser assisted periodontal therapy ensured bloodless, painless aftermath.

Extraction was painless too. Didn’t see any blood (thanks to the suction tube in the chair).

I’ll have my bridge put in a week. Expect it to carry the trend forward.

The whole experience is on a different scale altogether. From being well-informed by the dentist-tailored presentation on the TV on the wall watched from the chair – to Xray and 3D model of lower jaw on the chair’s display monitor, there are no surprises.

Options of Implants or Bridges explained clearly – with a dose of humor – helped me make an educated choice. It helped that I have Veneer between my upper incisors for years now. So Bridge was the easier choice to make.

I should end on cost of Dental treatment. Cleanings, extractions are reasonable. But Orthodontics,  surgery like Bone Grafting and Prosthodontics are  pricey. But worth it all. Wanting to smile and feeling no effort at all eating, free of post-procedural bleeding and pain come at a price. Happy to do by it, not having to worry about ‘teeth’ at all.