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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

She lost me at donor tissue

I went to the dentist last night. Going to the dentist is right up there with emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the furnace filter on the scale of things I like to do.

The check-up was going well until the hygienist handed me a mirror and pulled my lower lip down and discussed my gum line with me. The gum over one tooth in particular, right near the little piece of skin that connects your inner bottom lip to the lower gum line, is almost all gone.

This is bad. I will lose the tooth if I don't have surgery.

The hygienist was very chatty and upbeat about this problem of mine. Me? I wasn't so nonchalant. I'm a very medically weak person. I pass out just looking at the instructions for tampons - true story. Yes, it is incredible that I managed to give birth.

I don't think she noticed how pale I was getting as she rattled on and on about how this condition is treated and what is done to treat it. Something something donor tissue and then I knew if the dentist didn't stop talking, I was going to pass out. I practically shouted the word stop.

I have to wait til I see the oral surgeon to get a sense of why I need cadaver skin in my mouth.

Oh, and what does this story have to do with riding public transit? When I take the GO bus home, the bus drives right by my dentist's office.

8 comments:

Squiggles said...

A) I like how you justify a post like this by linking it to the GO. You have no need to, but I find it slightly amusing.

B) I feel for you. I loathe going to the dentist and have put it off for years at a time. Not so much now but it is still panic inducing.

Kelly said...

I had this done years ago - donor tissue was from roof of my mouth - not someone else lol. Not as bad as it sounds, honest. My dentist also said it's her best patients who have this issue (from brushing too hard). Make sure you always use a soft toothbrush.

C.J. Smith said...

Hi Kelly
I heard her, from the tunnel I was disappearing into, say something about it coming from my mouth as well as from other places.

Jules said...

I have also had this surgery and they took tissue from the top of my mouth, like you I am also weak when it comes to stuff like this.
Not gonna lie, it was awful. I may have to do this again for another 2 teeth and it makes me sick to think about it.

Drumstick! said...

CJ. I promise this will take your mind off it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn4RP57Y7bw&feature=youtu.be

C.J. Smith said...

I'm gonna barf Julie!

Jenn said...

I had this surgery done too on my two lower front teeth (sounds like the same area your dentist pointed out). It was not awful at all. I was more scared going in than I needed to be. One tip I was given was to bring an ipod and listen to music to take my mind off it. I didn't do that, but did end up clenching a stress ball through the entire thing and that made me feel better. Good luck! You will be fine :)

Anonymous said...

It's not that bad at all, chill out. I had it done when I was around 13 years old. Same as the rest, had the tissue cut from the roof of my mouth, they fill it to heal and it pops out when it's good and healed. As for the area where the tissue is placed, a protective piece is put in place and you don't have to look at it until it's healed.

I've had jaw surgery at 15, 1 cm of bone removed from each sides of my upper jaw, bottom jaw slightly moved, plate in the roof of my mouth, pins and plates everywhere and wait for it... I also have a titantium chin. And no I was not in a car accident, I had TMJ and my jaw was starting to shift backwards so I had all 4 wisdoms removed and braces put BACK ON for another year and then surgery. Worst pain ever. I have Frankenstein scars all along upper and lower jaw lines, a numb spot in my chin from nerve damage and a cool story to tell. It was hell not eating for 6 weeks, the smells of food and cravings are out of this world. Lost about 30 lbs and went back to school with a swollen face that didn't truly come down for 8 months. And I was modelling at the time so swollen face pictures it was, it was grand! :)