Ok, part 1 wasn't too bad

Yesterday, had the filling drilled through (after numbing, of course) and sat through first step of a root canal. Dentist had a bit of a problem with one of the roots (a calcified cap), and after trying for a hour to clear it, he flushed it with anti-bacterial solution, then packed with with something specifically made to soften the cap, and allow for the rest to be removed later. Put a temporary filling in, and then went home.

I have to admit, I was feeling trepidation about pain returning. I don't know what it is about dental pain, but it seems to be less tolerable than pain in any other parts of the body. Luckily the only pain I had was residual from the procedure itself, rather than the nerve in the tooth. I do have to be careful about biting down on it, as the area is still sensitive. I should probably stick with soup until my jaw feel better.

Another thing: even though I intellectually know that modern dental procedures are more or less painless, there is an atavistic fear of dentistry. I have a great reason to be a bit skittish (even Dr C agreed I had every reason to be on edge after what some moron did to me years and years ago).

Good news/Bad News

Good news: the tooth isn't infected, isn't cracked, all teeth around it are fine.

Bad news: The old filling dropped in a bit, sitting on nerve/blood supply, causing pain.

Good news: go back tomorrow to start procedure for root canal. Also have some very strong antibiotic tablets, and some kick ass pain killers that I can take in conjunction with plain ibuprofen.

Dear Dental Office

Having severe tooth pain, and making appointment is cause enough for anxiety. Confirming it, me making arrangements to get there, then you calling me to say 'Oops, that time was blocked out, can you wait until tomorrow?' isn't good. If I could have waited until tomorrow I wouldn't have called you this morning.

And then I tell you "I had to use Jack Daniels, and felt like biting pillow and screaming into it" , you then suddenly shift, find an opening, but earlier than the first Oops appointment isn't doing a damned thing to enhance my inner calm

The absence of pain is nice

I have two teeth that are heat/cold sensitive. I took a big swallow of coffee, and it was instant toothache. And it didn't subside for about 40 minutes. It's blessedly gone now.

I know dentists prefer to have people keep their natural teeth, but this is getting more than annoying. I'm almost to the point I would prefer to have the two molars (one on the top, one on the bottom) removed. *sigh*