Unsought tooth knowledge

I blogged earlier about my sore tooth. (Correction: tooth 29, not 20.) Went to the dentist this morning, got new (digital) X-rays, and the dentist said the tooth was going to have to go. They called the oral surgeon, who (alas) is not so up-to-date as to be able to receive the digital X-ray file by email and look at the original—but that was not a problem, in fact.

After a relatively short wait, he brought me in, gave a local anesthetic (by needle—and thank heavens for anesthetics), and when I was suitably numb, pulled out the tooth: quickly, easily (on my part, though I could tell the tooth didn’t want to go), and painlessly (so far). It was actually less uncomfortable than a filling—so go ahead and chew that ice and crack those nuts. You’ll set up a tooth fracture, but the tooth can then be pulled.

Best part of it: no surprise fire during surgery.

Next steps: See the oral surgeon on Friday, just so he can check. Then wait four months and have the dental implant installed (see photo above) by the oral surgeon, wait four more months and return to dentist to get a crown installed on the implant. Whee.