Yipee! Okay, well, I'm not out of the woods yet but still it's good news. It's been 2 whole months actually that my tooth had been aching. Toothache at my bottom tooth would radiate out to my upper one and then it'd give me terrible headaches. I've been taking an aspirin every 6-12 hours for the ache. When I delay taking one, the in-between time would be horrible. I wouldn't be able to stand it. What felt terrible was not just the ache. It was the fact that I was 'on' something, you know? I've never had to take any pills like that before. It's been this delayed cuz I was worried about the cost at first. First, I delayed it till after I got the primary apps in. Then, there was more delay cuz I procrastinated looking for another option like some of you suggested. I just didn't want to pay that money. Or go to that much trouble. Sort of wished it would go away on its own. Of course it didn't. Then, one day I decided traveling won't do cuz there'll be multiple visits. Taking time off to travel and the travel cost won't cut it. And then I found out from my insurance that I wasn't getting ripped off by the dentist. They said it would cost the same whichever office I go to. So I was reassured there. And I also found out that I can do a no-interest payment plan. It just took me a little to get used to the fact that I'd be shelling out that much money. Finally made an appointment. And it was postponed twice. Finally, I was like 'that's it! Refer me to another office'. Well..it's just another branch and I went there today. Man, the dentist was so much better. I'm much happier with this office now. The dentist is older, more knowledgeable. Not as pompous as the other one. The other one was all smiles but when I talked to him, it felt like what I said didn't quite get through and he couldn't address all of my concerns. This dentist is much better. And from now on, I'll be going to see him. Anyways, so I went in resigned to the fact that I would be getting a root canal today. He looked at it, did the cold test again. I was really concerned that my top one needed a canal too since the pain was clearly coming from that. Could have been referred pain but was really worried there. After looking at the X-rays, he worked on both the bottom and top so I was biting better. It was fast, almost painless. He said he doesn't see anything on the X-rays that says I would need a canal. And asked to see me a week later for re-evaluation. If it was the bite problem, all the symptoms should go away now. And that means NO root canal! But he advised that I put a crown on that one tooth with a large filling. So come Thursday, I'll be seeing him again. You know what the great thing is?? I had been having pain again in my tooth...but I tolerated it and then the pain got down to like 10% of what I was feeling before. I'm going to hold out as much as I can on aspirin. See if the ache and the headaches would go away now that he fixed my bite. Ooooh, I hope so. I don't want a root canal. I'd still have to get a crown but it should be faster than doing a canal. -kneige-
