How Much Wisdom Does One Person Need???

Last week, while driving home from work, I realized that I had a wisdom tooth coming in - peaking through the gums in an uncomfortable sort of way. I, personally, think that it was just fine where it was 2 weeks ago but I guess it had other ideas. Add that to the fact that it was coming in at an angle - pushing towards the tooth in front of it, and we obviously have a problem.

I haven't been to a dentist in an embarrassingly long time. I have the typical reasons - first it was no insurance, then it was having a child and putting his needs first, then it was work and not making the time to go. Leave it to a wisdom tooth to get your butt in gear.

Those reasons just explain not having cleanings. The wisdom tooth - that's a whole nother story. Back in high school I had the bottom two removed (Why only 2??? I'm sure there was a great reason at the time). It was a horrible experience. It started with the Novocaine becoming less potent as the procedure wore on, to the point of feeling very uncomfortable by the time all was said and done. It ended, 4 days later, with a trip to the ER because those pesky sockets refused to clot - the blood kept going, and going, and going...you get the idea. Because of that lovely incident I've had doctors take the utmost care with me, including dragging their feet with an epidural for the birth of the Little Man.

Last week I made the dreaded call to the dentist (referred to me by my boss) and was seen right away. They took x-rays and we discovered that I am not as wise as I thought, having only 1 wisdom tooth on the top. I left with an appointment scheduled for the 28th of January - eons away!

Two days ago they called with a cancellation and I, reluctantly, accepted - today was the big day. I was more than scared for the extraction today but was taking comfort in the doctor repeatedly telling me his number one goal was that I felt NO pain! I'm all over that!

After signing my life away, getting my first few good whiffs of laughing gas, and being shown the vicarious position of my tooth (where the root has formed curved along the wall of the sinus cavity - not a good thing by any stretch of the imagination), they took my blood pressure. Now, I've been known to have high blood pressure, should be on meds but am not currently - I know that 183/132 is NOT a good reading! The doctor said that I had a few minutes, then he would check it again - and if I couldn't get below 160/100 he would have to cancel! Thankfully I got down to 140/92, which while it isn't good, isn't scary bad either.

The extraction went off without a hitch! I felt NO pain, it was great, I had no problems with my sinuses, and better yet - my bleeding has nearly stopped a mere 8 hours later!

I'm currently enjoying my couch, my computer, and my vicadin. The pain is at a minimum still and I haven't begun any swelling. Could it really go this easy? I sure hope so!