6 Toothache, part 2

If you don't like going to the dentist, DO NOT READ!!!
(that includes you, Camille)

It seemed like it took forever for Monday to come, but eventually it did. Nate was out of town, so I took the girls to my wonderful in-law's home early in the morning and called the dentist hoping to get in right at 8am. They did work me in, but not till 11am. The x-rays still looked clear with no sign of an abscess, although I presented all the other classic symptoms. The root canal procedure start very smooth other than some fiery pain as the anesthetic injection spread to the area of inflammation. In fact, after about an hour I was getting board as the dentist started disinfecting the 3rd and final root canal.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I was in the worst pain of my life. Childbirth times ten! I was shaking and tears poured as I forced myself to use all my control to stay still as the dentist worked quickly. He and his assistant scrambled, attempting to stop the flow of oozing fluid and reduce the pain. Later, he told me that somehow the disinfecting solutions (bleach and hydrogen peroxide) must had leaked out the end of the root into the surrounding tissues. Instantly I had a major inflammatory reaction, including massive swelling and fluid discharging into the bone, gum, tooth, and root. He had to abort the procedure. When the flow had stopped, he put on a temporary filling. Just typing about this brings me to tears. I can't describe how awful it was.

Even an hour later I couldn't stop shaking and weeping even though the pain was in check. I was in shock. I had to call my mother-in-law for a ride home. The dentist consulted with the pharmacist and they settled on a new pain prescription to which I "shouldn't" have a reaction to since it was only "distantly" related to codeine and hydrocodone. I was tentative...and I should have been. With the second dose I was shaky, woozy, and dizzy, not to mention the headache, all for a good 36 hours. No more pain pills for me!!!

Its been a few days and the left half of my face, from my eyelid to under my chin, is still swollen. Today its just puffy, but yesterday I looked like I had wisdom teeth removed, including some light bruising. (sorry Ellen, there will be no pictures - I made sure of that) Amazingly the pain has been fairly low and really only bothers me in the middle of the night. Oh, and I can't really eat much. Even chewing with the other side has been problematic since I have shooting pain if THE tooth touches food or the teeth below it. Don't point out that this could be the means for loosing a few pounds, because I made a cake for myself since I figured I could gum it up. YUM!

Mostly now I'm just dreading going back tomorrow to finish the procedure...that is if things have settled down enough. I want to get it over with, but what if it happens again??? Stay tuned for part 3.

UPDATE: my next appointment won't be until at least Monday, due to the residual swelling