A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a little issue going on with my gum. Not my chewing gum — the gum beside one of my teeth. After doctoring it at home for a few days, I realized it wasn’t going to improve. So I made an appointment with my dentist.
After probing (ouch!) a bit and taking x-rays, his opinion was that the tooth beside the affected gum should probably be extracted. But he wanted me to see an endodontist to get a more expert opinion. The appointment with him was yesterday. Here’s his prognosis, circled in red.
“Hopeless“.
“Hopeless” seems like an odd word to use in this case, but I guess it works. To add insult to injury, they spelled my name wrong; in my world, Dianna has two ‘n’s.
This tooth earned the “The Golden Tooth” award from me several years ago. It has a crown, plus a root canal done THROUGH the crown. The endodontist explained that when we lose a baby tooth, the roots are “absorbed” as the permanent tooth pushes upward. Sometimes those little root “cells” remain dormant, and they can resurface years later to eat away at the permanent tooth. That’s what he suspects has happened in this case. So I think I’m more than ready for this tooth to be gone.
Appointment for extraction is Thursday at 3:15.
I probably have as great a fear of dental work as anyone. So I need all of you to be thinking good thoughts on Thursday afternoon.
Actually – think good thoughts all day on Thursday; I can’t have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the appointment. It’s gonna be a long day.
these days of mine 
You know I’m going to be saying prayers for you.
It’s a little disconcerting to have a dr. remark that some part of our body, even a tooth, is “hopeless”!!
Hugs,
I have a friend who teaches billing terminology for medical visits…I’ll have to ask her if she has ever encountered “hopeless”… ^o’…will be thinking of you Thursday and after. Take care.
I know the agony you are having. I had a cyst inside my mouth removed, a month ago and the incision became infected. Please make sure he gives you an antibiotic and pain pills,so you will be on the safe side. Mine was lanced 3 times and now it seem ok!!! Just have to get rid of the scar tissue. I will be thinking and saying a prayer for you… As anytime they say tooth/mouth, I go into orbit…. Love you and Good luck!!!!!!!!
Yep, I think most people would rather stay away from the dentist at any cost. It sounds like you gave that tooth plenty of chances, though. And “hopeless” does seem a little severe. After my grandmother’s knee surgery a few years ago, the surgeon came out and told us the operation was a success, but that her old knee had gotten : “horrendous” .. yikes …
Don’t want a dentist to say “hopeless” to me!!! I will be with you as you face the dental chair tomorrow. We feel the same way about dentists.
I’m at the dentist tomorrow too, but my case is not “hopeless”. I’ll be thinking of you. Btw, nice roots! Very very graceful!
I think anyone would have a fear of dentists if a situation was labeled ‘hopeless’. That word isn’t really in my vocabulary. Perhaps ‘Likely to be Necessary’. I will be praying the appointment goes well!
Wow – hopeless seems kind of unprofessional – maybe this dentist has a sense of humor! I’ll be sending thoughts of a pleasant extraction for you tomorrow. My husband had an infected tooth extracted last year (after spending 24 hrs in the hospital with an infected jaw bone!). With all the novocaine it’s not bad.
oh, i’m starting my good thoughts for you right now. ‘hopeless’…. wow! it’s just so pathetic sounding! 🙂
All I can say is “Ouch!” Just the thought of having a tooth extracted makes me grimace. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. Hope everything goes well.
Sending positive thoughts for an easy go at the dentist. It’s ashame about your tooth being hopeless. I had one of those a few years ago. I admire dentists, but I sure don’t enjoy having dental work done. Bless your heart.
Oh no! You’ve warned me about not having my crowns put on right away (which I still haven’t done!); this just might put me on the move. Hope everything goes well and there isn’t too much pain involved.
Yikes! Don’t think I’ve ever seen that diagnosis before. Thank goodness it’s just a tooth, right?!
I go back next week for my second root canal. And I noticed when I was in there last, on the halcion, that they misspelled my name wrong on the chart, putting two n’s in it and in my world, Diane has only one n! Since I was all loopy on the sedative, I was quick to point it out though I was probably slurring my words at them!
Hope everything goes well tomorrow!
Thanks, everyone, for all the good wishes! Guess I’ll be zoned out tomorrow this time. Will try to post an update on Friday!
Hopeless? Who does that? Geez.
I hope it all goes well tomorrow. Just think — soft serve ice cream, jello, Frosty’s from Wendy’s, Mashed potatoes, soup … just take it easy and let your Motor Man spoil you!
~~MJ
Sorry to hear about your tooth. It’s good you’re getting it taken care of promptly. I have my cleaning tomorrow morning, so I’ll definitely spend my time in the chair praying for you. 🙂 In regard to “hopeless,” I’m guessing there are no other options to save the tooth; I think extraction is the last resort. They have my name in the computer, spelled with a “y.” Maybe attention to detail isn’t a requirement to work for a dentist? lol
Wow, “Hopeless” huh? You think they could have come up with a less insensitive description than that!
Be thinkin’ of you tomorrow. Don’t worry about posting if you don’t feel like it…we’ll all know if we don’t see a new post in the next few days that you are cozy on the couch w/Sundae. 🙂
For any of you who may be checking back on this post, my appointment has been changed until Friday at 11:15. I’m off to have a Diet Coke to celebrate being able to eat & drink for the remainder of today!! Thanks for your thoughts
You’ve been granted a temporary reprieve! That seems to be a more agreeable time when you can’t eat for so many hours beforehand. Enjoy your day!