Doomsday.

• Some of you may already know that I hate the dentist.
• Not just a little bit.
• But a lot.
• In January I got my regular check up & cleaning.
• I had a cavity.
• So the idiot dentist filled it.
• Unbeknownst to me, he also hit a nerve on the next tooth over.
• He didn't say anything.
• I didn't notice for a while.
• A week later my mouth started to hurt.
• It was a subtle ache.
• I'd take Ibuprofen & dull the pain.
• Then Ibuprofen stopped touching it.
• So, I went to the dentist again.
• I went to a different dentist.
• A better dentist.
• He took a bunch of x-rays.
• There was nothing wrong.
• I wasn't sure exactly where the pain was radiating from.
• Since there was so much.
• I had a general area, but couldn't pinpoint it.
• This idiot dentist told me he could do a root canal, but since we weren't positive of which tooth the pain was coming from there was a chance he wouldn't do the right tooth.
• So we left.
• The pain never stopped.
• Oh, one thing I should mention is that I live in Wyoming, but my dental insurance doesn't work there.
• So I go to Utah every time I have to visit the dentist.
• I travel 6 hours to go to the dentist.
• So back to Wyoming we went.
• Surprise, surprise the pain got worse.
• A lot worse.
• I couldn't eat.
• I couldn't sleep.
• I couldn't even talk, because when my tongue would touch my tooth it would kill.
• Needless to say I was miserable.
• I called my mom.
• My wonderful, loving, amazing, caring mommy.
• She called the dentist late on a Sunday night.
• She called his home phone.
• He said it sounded like I had an infection, so he prescribed an antibiotic.
• Whatever.
• How about some pain pills, you fools!
• I drove back to Utah.
• Still, they couldn't tell exactly what tooth so he didn't "feel comfortable" performing a root canal.
• I was mad.
• I wanted them to fix this now!
• But I also didn't want to have to come back & get another root canal on the other tooth if we guessed wrong.
• So they sent me back on home.
• The antibiotic ran it's course.
• I woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain.
• I knew exactly which tooth it was.
• The pain was unbearable.
• I am not exaggerating.
• Unbearable!
• I couldn't drive.
• So Reese drove me half way to Utah.
• My mom met us there & took me the rest of the way.
• They got me in first thing the next morning for the root canal.
• [By now it was mid-March]
• More x-rays.
• It was a long, painful process - but they did the root canal.
• It was "a success."
• I was still in so much pain.
• It took me 2 weeks to recover.
• Idiots.
• So, back to good ol' Wyomin' I went.
• Life was good.
• Until June.
• That mother freaking tooth started hurting again.
• I ignored it.
• How can it hurt if the nerves are all dead?!
• Then last Wednesday, I couldn't ignore it anymore.
• I went to a dentist in Wyoming.
• I was out of insurance anyway, since I'd had to go so many times.
• So it was going to be out of pocket no matter what.
• I went in.
• MORE X-RAYS!
• "Oh, looks like you have an infection & the root canal was not successful."
• Awesome.
• "Was the dentist who did this an endodontist or just a general dentist?"
• He was a general dentist.
• "Oh wow. General dentists should not do root canals on molars. They're 30% less likely to be successful."
• AWESOME.
• So I got another antibiotic.
• I need to go to a root canal specialist.
• And pay to get the exact same tooth re-root canaled.
• My husband is mad.
• He feels like all dentists are incompetent.
• [Please don't be offended if you are a dentist! We are just very frustrated & burnt out.]
• So yesterday I went to the specialist.
• He took more x-rays.
• Removed my bad root canal.
• Injected me with tons of antibiotics.
• Straight into the open canal.
• Closed me up.
• Put a temporary filling in.
• Then sent me on my way.
• My mouth has to heal & kick the infection for 1 week.
• Then I have to go back so he can do the root canal.
• Finish it.
• Hopefully make it all wonderful & pain free.
• Can I just say again how awesome my life is?
• Seriously, be jealous.
• Also, there is a 10-15% chance this 2nd root canal will be unsuccessful.
• Awesome.
• I'm on more antibiotics & pain killers this time.
• Plus, Reese took me to PF Chang's since I've had such a rough time.
• I'm doing ok, but very sore.
• He said I will be for a few days.
• He was a great Endodontist.
• I wish I could go to him for general dentistry needs.
• I can't though.
• And I do hate dentists.
• I never want to go back to a dentist
• I'll have to soon for another "check up & cleaning".
• Hopefully they don't ruin my life again.
• So in one week I am headed back to Utah.
• To get this all squared away [hopefully].
• Lame.

"My entourage", as the assistant called them.
My lovely momma & Reese.

This was not posed.
I am seriously so nervous.

Gettin' a little laughing gas, so I'm not as nervous anymore.
In fact I got very giggly & inappropriate.

Getting the actual work done.

Ready to leave!
A little numb & out of it.

• I'd love to hear some of your stories about the dentist - good or bad. So please share.