Crowning glory

I went to the dentist this morning. Unlike my last appointment, I actually remembered.
This was my first visit to this dentist, a friendly chap of Middle-Eastern origin who has a stereo playing rather good Persian-type music in his surgery (I’m not an expert on these things, so please use your imagination). There was some form filling to be done (Q: Are you pregnant? Y/N) and then he poked about in my mouth with the usual implements of dentistry.
"Hmmm. Very good!"
Encouraging, thought I. I’m proud of my teeth – no fillings have gone into my mouth other than those that go into pies. (Speaking of which, go sign Scary’s Bring Back The Breville Pie Magic Petition).
In fact, what he meant was "Very good! I see a way to extract money from your wallet!"
About eighteen months ago, I chipped one tooth from the front of each jaw. I’m not sure how I did it, probably biting on a nectarine stone or something. However it happened, my last dentist was not too bothered about it, but this one thinks differently. He says the upper incisor can be filed down to remove the rough corner, but the lower incisor needs a crown. I can either have an NHS crown, which is not of high quality, for around £95. Alternatively, I can have a really high quality crown, 90% white gold with porcelain finish, for the regal sum of £275. Ouch.
Thankfully, given the current state of family finances, he agreed that the work could be deferred for the time-being. But it looks like I’m going to have to bite the bullet at some point and have it done (maybe I caused the chip by biting a bullet previously?).
And can I confess to something? Having never had any form of "serious" dentistry going on in my mouth before, I must admit that I’m a little nervous at the prospect. Words of reassurance welcome.

5 Replies to “Crowning glory”

  1. I had a root canal filling done around a year and a half ago, and I was scared stiff at the prospect, having read all sorts of things about drilling right down to the root, cleaning it out, checking for decay and abscesses, etc etc. When it came down to it, the dentist was an absolute gem, reassuring me every step of the way, and providing enough local anaesthesia that I didn’t feel a thing. In comparison, a crown would be a piece of cake.

  2. Modern anaesthetics render a trip to the dentist little more than some slightly uncomfortable sensations and a stiff jaw from having it opened wide for so long (like a big long yawn). The worst I’ve ever had was little more than I would have felt scraping my hand on a rough fingernail.

    Having gorgeous dental assistants helps as well, something to occupy the mind!

  3. Hi Grayblog – Yeah – dentistry is a breeze these days – I am 63 and you can bet it was rough in the old days. I only found out years later that lots of those old bastards used to fill up kids teeth whatever their condition!!! I hope to meet the swine when I pass over. In those days there was no high speed water cooled drills and the heat generated used to really hurt – My mouth is a monument to bad dentistry and later attempts by better dentists to repair some of the damage – I really envy your pristine nashers! One day I may be able to grow some more of my own if the latest medical scientific reports are to be bnelieved. Bye for now. dave P

  4. Yes, with the joy of modern anasthaesia, dental treatment is now not only a breeze, it’s almost pleasant. If what you need done takes long enough, you could settle into the comfy chair, be tended to by two people and nicely doze off and wake up with a lovely new set of gnashers. Well worth the money. (If you lived in Deutschland, as I do, your medical insurance would probably even foot the bill.)

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