We had dinner with a young male friend of ours, and it turns out he's a pretty good cook. I have also learned that asparagus is pretty good, which is a revelation to my green-avoidant self.

huh. Curious. I don't recall linking to a light up shirt. But if it's geeky, I like it!

Oops! I read the description wrong. Obviously I still need more tea.

So! The good news is, I don't need a root canal!

The bad news is, I don't need a root canal because I HAD TO HAVE THE TOOTH PULLED. Jesus Christ on a pogo stick.

The bad ex-tooth was cracked vertically down the middle, and the dentist said that I *could* have root canal work, but the tooth would still be really sensitive to pressure and hot and cold b/c the crack couldn't really be spackled or anything, so he said the only way to really take care of it would be to rip it out by the roots. Or, okay, to have an extraction.

I possibly got a little freaked out at the concept that my oral hygiene was so bad that I destroyed a tooth and therefore had to be punished by it being ripped from my head. But the dentist said that, all things considered, losing the very last molar is not a huge deal, because the teeth won't shift in that direction, and it's so far back that the gaping hole isn't visible when I smile. t edit And I can, of course, have an implant fake-tooth put in once everything heals up. Or possibly a BIG BLINGY JEWEL.

The oral surgeon was available an hour after my dentist appointment, so I said, "Sign me up!" I was totally numb, so no pain, but WOW, I didn't anticipate what having my tooth ripped out of my head would SOUND like. I tried really hard not to think of Marathon Man.

The dentist did not, however, pull out the Big Book of British Smiles, and the oral surgeon did not keep asking "Is it safe?", so I guess that's all good.

The oral surgeon actually told me that 2 of the molar's roots were split off in opposite directions, like in an exaggerated V, instead of going more or less straight down, and that's probably a big factor in why the tooth cracked -- it was being pulled apart from underneath. (From beneath you, it rips your tooth in half.)

So now I have gauze in my mouth and a sack of drugs (antibiotics and Tylenol w/codeine, at which I laugh since I have percocet). So far, no pain. But then, the novacaine hasn't worn off yet. I don't look forward to that (except I'd like to feel my tongue again).

So, that happened.

Oh, man, Tep. That is a rough morning. I'm glad it got resolved though! Ugh, I remember that same kind of noise when I got my wisdoms out.

{{{Teppy}}} I'm glad you were able to get the tooth taken care of, and I hope there is no pain when the novacaine wears off. Take care.

Oh, man, Tep. That is a rough morning.

Nora, you may appreciate what it made me think of:

"And Gummy Joe, where would you be without the Dental Plan?"

"I wouldn't have old 'Chopper,' here, that's for sure!"

Because, thanks to my dental insurance, the exam, X-rays, and tooth-ripping-out was $86. A bargain indeed.

(No, seriously, I *am* thrilled that I have dental insurance, and that it was less than $100. I just hate that I had to lose a goddamn tooth.)

Oh, Tep, I've been there. He's right, though -- if it's the last molar in the back, you're not even going to miss it. And it sounds like your roots were to blame, not your hygiene! Stupid roots.

Make sure you keep it packed as long as they say to, and just be gentle with it -- you may be *sore* later but that ohmygodawful pain will be gone, for sure. Plus, you have percocet! You're covered!

The fear of that sound was what led me to be completely under when I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled. t shudder

oh ow Teppy.

d. another set of cards came for you... I guess they found them after all.

:)

sass in snow is goodness.

Teppy, I'm really glad you got that tooth taken care of. And see? Not. Your. Fault. Speedy and pain-free and/or well-drugged recovery to you.