Operculumectomy

In other news, I have noticed the eruption of my fourth wisdom tooth over the past couple of months. It has become increasingly uncomfortable and painful these past few days, so I decided to see the dentist and have it checked.

He told me that there was nothing to worry about. The tooth wasn't impacted as I feared, and that there's just some minor discomfort as it is pressing on the surrounding gum. So I said, "So, what are we going to do about that?".

"Well, we could cut away some of the gum to lessen the discomfort and give the tooth more room."

I flinched. Cut away the gum? You can't be f*cking serious?! "Are you going to do that now?"

He checked his watch. "It's only 4:30, I could squeeze it in."

Squeeze it in?! Seriously?! "Will it painful?"

"Just a bit. I'll be giving you a local anesthetic." Then he tells the dental assistant to prepare a "#12"--surgeons' code for blade.

I was frantic and in an alternate universe, I fainted.

He applied a topical anesthetic. My mouth starts feeling better, then a bit heavy. He scrambled for another dental implement. I opened my mouth and shut my eyes. Then, the worst pain as he stabbed my gum with a syringe-full of god-knows-what. Then, nothing.

The procedure took about less than 15 minutes. The dentist made me gargle in between and there were blood clots coming out, which kind of gave away what was going on because I decided to keep my eyes closed the whole time. Although I'm used to seeing all these instruments, I still wouldn't want to see them used on me.

A bite of cotton ball, and it was over. But once the anesthesia wears off, the pain sets right back in. I was prescribed pain killers and an antibiotic, to ease the swelling. Sure it helps but I still can't chew well.

I think it's good though, as I have to be on a diet to fit into that summer bikini :D