Goodbye, Root Canal - Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I feel compelled to remind everyone that it is seven months to Christmas as of today. That means there are only 210 shopping days left, more or less. I am sure that was foremost in your thinking! :) :) :) :)

Today was my appointment with the dentist for the root canal removal. Thankfully, the whole event proceeded with no complications. The only hold-up came because of my questions before the procedure began. I was unaware that he planned to remove a leaking and diseased mercury amalgam filling from an adjacent tooth during the same appointment. I was also a tad unnerved by the thought of having a bone graft, so I needed to be reassured several times that the material would be clean. Once relatively satisfied that the testing done on the bone was meticulous enough, I gave my permission to begin. I now know why Carol recommended this dentist. Before we started, his assistant gave me Chlorella tablets because it binds to mercury and helps remove it from your system. They also used the recommended equipment for amalgam removal, including oxygen, a device called a "Rubber Dam", and some sort of vacuum which prevents the inhaling of any vapors from the unleashed mercury. During the procedure, the dentist found infection under the roots and also a cyst growing. When the work was finished, they gave me a script for an antibiotic and Percocet. However, I intend to use Oil of Oregano capsules instead of the antibiotic, and I found I only needed Advil for the pain. I have a follow-up surgical appointment in two weeks to check the progress of my healing.

It seems a little funny to be without a tooth. It makes me feel like a snaggle-toothed fishwife, so I will be glad when I can get the implant installed in six months.