15% of the population

I woke this morning feeling ready and just okay about the root canal. I knew everything would be fine and that God was in control. No reason to work myself up over something so little...I mean Hello! I've had two children w/out drugs; I think I can handle a measly root canal!

We arrived at the dentist office and I signed myself in. Not even 5 minutes later they called me back. At this point I started getting nervous. I asked the assistant a few questions about the procedure as I initialed and signed my "tooth" away. He said it would take at least an hour and a half once they started. Lovely.

At this point I began scanning the room for any way of escape. Maybe I could tell him I had to use the restroom and then just leave and never look back.

While he was getting the things ready I asked where the bathroom was. Once I knew where to go I quickly exited the room. Phew! I'm free.

Just kidding. I did actually use the bathroom and who should I run into while leaving the restroom; my dear husband and lovely daughters (I believe this was the first of four potty visits for them). Lucky Jake. I told them to come back there with me because honestly their presence makes me calm. I think it has to do with the need to be strong for them in all situations. I can't let them see me scared or they may get scared. And I definitely don't want Delia to associate the dentist as a bad place; so I sucked it up (kinda..I'm sure Jake's story is a little different). I told Jake how long it would probably take and so we decided I should probably feed Madeline again before they start the procedure. To ensure that she stays happy the whole time.

As soon as she was done Jake and the girls left for the waiting room. Then the dentist came in and numbed the area. This is the only time I felt any pain the whole time. And even then it wasn't bad at all. The dentist left the room and the assistant started prepping my mouth for the procedure. He took a mold of my tooth. Then he inserted a clamp on the tooth and placed the rubber dam in my mouth. Boy was that fun. Basically the rubber dam covers your whole mouth and attaches to the clamp on your tooth so that they only thing exposed is the bad tooth. Then he left to go get the dentist.

At this point my right eye started feeling funny. And I quickly realized that my eyelid was numb. My right cheek and the right side of my nose was also numb. Um, not too sure if this is normal but I stayed calm. After what seemed like 20 minutes the assistant came back. And I tried to tell him that my face was numb. Let me tell you it is not very easy to talk with a rubber dam in your mouth. He must be used to it though because he understood what I said. And assured me that it was completely normal. In fact his response was, "Your face is numb?" I nodded yes. And all he said was, "Good."

So then the dentist came in and they started the procedure. I couldn't feel a thing! It was awesome. Yes, I said awesome. I think the Novocaine was getting to my head because at some point during the procedure I remember thinking I love going to the dentist! I guess just knowing that I am going through this to make myself healthier makes all of the "pain" worth it.

So after a little while the dentist shares some interesting news. My tooth has 3 roots and 4 canals. Um, I'm not a mathematician but I can clearly tell that this does not add up. Basically about 15% of the population have this. The dentist explained that he couldn't get down far enough into that canal and that I would have to see a root canal specialist (a.k.a. an endodontist). He proceeded to clean out the rest of the canals and finished up. Then the assistant took an X-ray so that they could see the progress. I only gagged a few times. I hate gagging.

Then the dentist came back in and put in the temporary filling. Then they took the rubber dam off!! I sure was glad to have that thing out.

So now I get to wait for my insurance company to call and then we will figure out where and when I get to go and have another root canal!! At least this time I know what to expect.

My face stayed numb for couple of hours afterwards. And now I am a little sore. I can't bite or clench my teeth without it hurting so I've been avoiding those things. This makes eating and yelling at Jake a little difficult...but I'm sure I'll manage just fine.

And know I'm going to give a little shout out to my lovely sister Rachael who just started a bloggity blog of her own. Welcome sis to the world of blogging. Hey everyone give Rachael some love and check out her blog by clicking here or look for her in the side bar under Blogs We Read.