Another Oral Ordeal: Cracked Tooth Part 2

When I left the clinic on Sunday morning, the parting words from the dentist was to "try to eat normally". I was to try out the newly metal banded tooth for 2 weeks before deciding if I can leave it as it is (fat hope), do root canal and crowning (50% chance of success) or simply extract and implant. The dentist told the receptionist to fix the next appointment *within a month* and I was given an appointment one month later. That is why we need to learn English or listening comprehension in school. Haiz.

What was nice was that right before I stepped out of the treatment room, the dentist must have seen my anxiety and gave me his mobile number. I could call/ text him if the pain worsen. So nice. 

The upper right 2nd last molar must be the culprit bcos the severe pain went away immediately after the metal banding. However, the tooth was very sore. The glue/ metal band/ whatever seems to have affected my bite and I had problem eating. People who just had their braces must feel this way and on every single tooth! Such agony. Poor thing. I have not eaten so slowly in my life. No joke. 

There was a constant dull ache the entire Sunday and the cracked tooth was sore and impossible to bite. By night time, I was exhausted and turned in early only to wake up at 11ish feeling tired and upset. I was biting down and hurting the tooth, hoping that it would numb the pain. Then I was thinking to yank out the metal band and tooth. I must be dreaming. Even though it is a cracked tooth, it is still firmly rooted. I even had the rash thought to call the dentist. Heng I managed to hold that act. In the end, Panadol came to the rescue and I was finally able to rest in peace. 

The dull ache was better on Monday morning. I cannot imagine to survive 1 month in that state. I don't even know if that pain is normal. I whatsapp the dentist who immediately called me back. *Double heart* He said that I should go back for a final consultation before deciding the next course of action. It was fixed on Thursday afternoon.

I have to say that the pain has become more manageable with each passing day. While I still cannot bite on the tooth, the pain that comes with the accidental bite has also lessen with each day. My diet had been soft food for that 4 days. The only protein that I could take is fish that doesn't take too much chewing. 

Cake serves me very well too bcos they dissolve quickly.

I know, my diet didn't look very healthy. I was overjoyed when I found biscuits and milo. Never mind that they are soggy; I need them to be soggy.

I headed back to the dentist on Thursday thinking that I will have a decision on the next step. I was inclined towards root canal bcos that is fully covered by the company's insurance. Haha. 

The dentist must have forgotten about asking me to come back bcos we didn't have a decision. He fixed the bite issue though. How? He went grinding and grinding until he was satisfied that it wasn't protruding. While at it, he commented that he would grind somemore since most of it will go away eventually. Then, he went back to his "try and eat normally and come back 2 weeks later". In his opinion, it is likely to be an extraction and implant unless the pain goes away and I can eat normally even using the cracked tooth. 

I had thought that the dentist was grinding on the metal band and was in shock to find that surface of that molar now flat - seriously flat like a platform. Now when I bite, the tooth was totally out of the way bcos it is shorter than the other teeth. Daddy Lim says that I now have a cracked mini tooth. Hoho. 

My bite has definitely gotten much better after that fix. I was happily munching on crackers and eating noodles this afternoon. Yes, it is an official end to my unplanned cracked tooth diet. I am sure the weight that was lost over the 5 days would rebounce faster than I can blink. Hahaha. 

I also told the dentist that the metal band is cutting into my cheek. His answer? Suck thumb and bear with it. Zzzzzzz.

Mummy Lim