Monday, July 31, 2023

My First Tooth Extraction

I'm nearing my 50s and it's only now that I experienced getting a tooth extracted.

The tooth in question was my front right molar which was actually root canaled more than 15 years ago. The tooth finally fractured a couple of Fridays ago. Unfortunately, my dentists aka my sister and brother-in-law have migrated abroad so I had to look for somebody local. I managed to snag an appointment at Affinity Dental Clinics here at Alabang. 

I was very early for my appointment though I assured the receptionist that I was willing to wait. When it was my turn, I was handed a hairnet and lead to a dentist chair by a very kind Dr. Matabuena. She did an initial  examination and said that I already have an infection as manifested by a pimple on my gum. She had an x-ray done and they confirmed the infection and that my tooth was already fractured thus the extraction recommendation.

After drinking a week's worth of antibiotics, I returned to the clinic and I ensured I arrived a few minutes before my schedule. 

The procedure did not take long (barely an hour). I didn't know if they injected me with a calming thing other than the anesthesia but I was too undisturbed considering I just had a tooth extracted and I even saw the tooth (I was tempted to post it here but am now sure how to hide it).

I'm now recovering from the after-effects. When the anesthesia wore of yesterday, I could feel the pain. It wasn't as excruciating as I thought (try suffering through a caesarean birth then you'll know what pain is) but still bothersome that I could only lie down the rest of the day.

I was given three options post-surgery, well four but only considering three:
1. Dental implants which will cost probably the same as my son's tuition fee;
2. Crown or bridge
3. Dentures

The fourth is to just let it be but I won't rest easy knowing and feeling there's a hole between my teeth. 

Going for option 3.