Dear Newsletter Readers,
I hope this edition of our newsletter finds you in good spirits and as always I hope that we have managed to find and include something in it that is of interest to you.
My poem this week is about a recent visit I made to the endodontist to have some follow up treatment on a root canal that I have recently had done. Removing a temporary crown to fit a permanent crown is ordinarily a straight forward procedure, but when you add me into the equation then very often things can become rather less in the way of straight forward. Usually, with a bit of pressure and wiggling around the endodontist is able to break the seal of the temporary cement that is used to fit the temporary crown, but in my case he had to employ hammering and prying techniques which turned out to be a rather painful and invasive experience. Fortunately, the endodontist was eventually able to remove the temporary crown, but with all the hammering and prying involved it seems it may have traumatized the periodontal ligament. Long story short, I now have a permanent crown fitted, but only with temporary cement as I’m experiencing some pain and discomfort when I eat and also when I brush my teeth. I am hoping that the tooth will eventually settle down enough for me to return and have the tooth permanently fixed into position as it’s no fun at all not being able to eat on both sides of your mouth.
Have a good weekend and hopefully we’ll back again next week with something interesting for you to read.
Mouth wide open
I’m requested to take a seat and remove my mask.
Covid precautions are still in force here in Japan before you ask.
I’m given some Listerine in a cup and told to rinse out my mouth.
I swish the antiseptic around to make sure it travels north, east, west and south.
The seat reclines and a small towel is placed over my face.
I prefer being in the dark to staring up into a lighted space.
I’m told to open my mouth as wide as it will go.
I then feel the first hammer blow.
I quickly sense the pair of hands trying to remove my temporary crown are as yet not fully skilled.
Which leaves me feeling nervous and generally none too thrilled.
I’m informed in a concerned voice that the temporary crown is proving hard to remove.
Upon hearing these words they did anything but sooth.
Continuous hammering and prying but without success.
One false slip may see me with two front teeth less.
Struggling to keep my mouth open due to a tired jaw.
The gum surrounding my tooth is bleeding and sore.
10 minutes have so far elapsed with nothing to show which adds to my concern.
This pair of hands has realized she has a lot more left to learn.
With nothing achieved she requests to be relieved by a fully trained pair of hands.
I am praised for the pain and discomfort I have so far been able to withstand.
The hands I’m now in deliver blows to the tooth that are firmer and more precise.
The prying and hammering continue on until finally there’s a change in the sound.
in a relieved voice I am informed that no more hammering is needed as he has succeeded in loosening the temporary crown.
I learn that beyond normal force was applied to try to break the seal of the temporary cement.
That was the most painful and uncertain 15 to 20 minutes sitting in a dentist’s chair that I have ever spent.
A poem by Stephen Austwick