I’m a grinder. My dentist has tried for years to get me to wear a nightguard so that my teeth would last. Some folks are cavalier about their bad habits and weaknesses. Like certain smokers. They know each puff is one step closer to something unpleasant like chemo or a catheter or dragging an oxygen tank around. But the consequences are just not powerful enough of a motivator to change. Smoking is too much a part of who they are. It’s kind of like that for me and the grinding. I refuse to wear the nightguard and I know my molars are shot, but the consequences just aren’t going to make me put that dumb thing in my mouth every night.
Which is why I have ended up in the dentist’s chair a few times since Christmas. I’m having two gold crowns done at the same time. A matching pair on the bottom for the two I already have on top. I’ll have great bling when they’re done, but it’ll stay hidden unless I get wild at parties and want to show off.
The first couple times in the chair was with nitrous, which is great while I’m under, but gives me one heck of a headache and sour stomach afterward. It also seems that I’m just a little too uncooperative for the dentist’s likes when I’m on the nitrous, and I hear things like “open” and “wider” and “dammit, stop biting my fingers”. So this last time we tried something new: IV sedation. It wasn’t exactly suggested. More like required if I was ever going to sit in his chair again.
It wasn’t that bad. I mean the stabbing part and the bit where they strap your arms down tight wasn’t much fun (is that normal?), but the juice was good. Reeeeal good. I was big time drunk and stayed that way for hours after. You know the best part? No hangover either. Have you ever seen Bill Murray in “Little Shop of Horrors” when he’s just a little too eager to go to the dentist? Count me among the converted.
Shaun
Shaun
Chris "TW"
