Michael P.
At the age of 60 I may be full of great life experiences, yet dental visits are not very memorable ones. On top of that, the thought of a having a tooth pulled does not bring joy to ones heart. So this was my second go around the tooth extraction implant experience. It starts with the visit to my ...
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At the age of 60 I may be full of great life experiences, yet dental visits are not very memorable ones. On top of that, the thought of a having a tooth pulled does not bring joy to ones heart. So this was my second go around the tooth extraction implant experience. It starts with the visit to my general dentist because the molar does not feel right. Novocaine, drilling ..it hurt some toward the end. Ugh. Not painless. Then the news the old filling needs to be replaced...it is deep and it may not work . Ugh! Well it didn't work. Off to the endodontic dentist to have the "pulp" removed and the tooth "injected" with some thing synthetic. Took three weeks to get that appointment. More Novocain.. The news..... "deja vu" the tooth is cracked and need to be pulled. Then the referral to my friends at Oral Surgery Associates. Feels like home. All five kids have been to this office for their wisdom teeth right of passage. I went there with my last tooth pulling- tooth implant experience. It is great to have the scheduling person at the other end of the phone try to be incredibly accommodating. One senses that perhaps they really do feel your pain. Empathy goes a long ways.
As I approached the entry way on a blustery snowy wintery day I noticed I was calm. That's an important sign. I am a veteran of uncomfortable medical procedures. You know the type....when they say "this is going to hurt you only a little bit"...sure, yeah right. Most of the time when I have a medical procedure performed, I like any one else get a little antsy. I know what is about to happen and it isn't going to be fun. So to feel calm on approach to the OSA office is a big deal..it means that I know that this is going to be just fine!
Going through the front doors I notice that the surroundings are not glitzy, but warm and familiar. I so appreciate the warm friendly greeting of the office staff. My heart rate remains normal, another good sign. I am greeted by an assistant who takes me into the exam room for my "procedure". The room is as comfortable as a mini operatory can feel. She politely asks me how I want to be addressed. I decided the informal approach is best. Its home after all. Besides I want some one who will treat me like a friend not the next customer inline. History reviewed, vital signs taken. No I am not going to die. Thankfully my heart rate is still normal. Hands are not yet clammy. All is still good. Mind you it is not a day at a beach.. I am about to have my molar pulled. Dr. Jacobsen has arrived. Polite and professional approach. He asks me how he can help me today. Well the answer to that one is pretty obvious I should think. But kind of him to not assume. We talk a bit and make some connections. It turns out we went to the same college. Always nice to make some sort of connection with the surgeon who is about to yank your tooth out. We all decide that the number 14 tooth is the one that should come out ...you know the one with the big hole in it from the failed root canal. Still great to know that they follow a procedure to ensure that the bad tooth is the one that comes out.
Numbing gel followed by anesthetic injections. Heart rate and breathing still good. Always the same question, "does it feel numb enough? How the heck do I know? Take the tooth out and we will find out. Turns out that he did a great job. I can say that Dr. Jacobsen had a very gently touch Didn't feel a thing. Little bit of grinding, some tugging and its all over. Must admit I tensed a little with the pulling....thinking is it really going to come out? Bone graft in for my next implant, stitch in place. Instructions given. All within several minutes.
Staff was courteous on my way out.
Great Job. Will wait for the titanium implant in 8 weeks....
If you got to have your tooth pulled and an implant inserted..well this is really a great place to have it done!
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