I have to go to the Dentist!

[Ricochet]

I broke a tooth last night! I called my dentist (who is also my cousin's husband and a good friend) and he said I need a crown.

I'm petrified because there is alot of drilling required and I am afraid the noise of the drill will make my ears worse.

As if it's not bad enough I'm also dental-phobic!! So between worrying about just going to the dentist, I'm worried about the noise making my ears worse.

Any suggestions?
Karen

[Ricochet]

Well, just to give you an update, I had my dentist visit today to start the work on the crown. Boy was there a lot of drilling involved! I wore my headphones and played soft music but the drill just drowned it out. The drill was so loud and the tooth I broke was on the upper right side (which is also my bad ear). I suppose I won't know until tonight or tomorrow if any noise damage was done. It always seems a bit delayed after noise exposure.

The dentist was great and took frequent breaks so I would not have prolonged exposure to the noise, but boy was it LOUD!

The worst part is over (drilling) and now I just go back on the 17th to have the permanent crown put in place.

I'll keep you posted.
Karen

[Ricochet]

Well, so far so good. It doesn't seem that all that drilling did too much harm. My tinnitus is slightly higher but not so bad that I can't tolerate it.

As far as the Stapedial muscle spasms I don't think it has worsened anything.

I had a few pops Thursday night but I may have forgotten my Trileptal that morning so that may be why I had the popping. Then I had the dentist appointment on Friday and didnt seem to have any trouble. Then on Saturday night I went to my cousins for dinner and we stayed alot later than I expected. I am supposed to take the Trileptal around 9:15 and we stayed until almost midnight. Later in the evening I did get a few pops and I'm wondering if that's because I needed the meds!

Today has been pretty good so far

I'll let you all know if anything gets worse again.
Karen

[Lisa]

Karen, i find tha my ears do get more sensitive then they normally would when i don't take my meds.
So in all likely hood i would assume that is the reason why.

I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!!

Lisa

[Ricochet]

Went back to the dentist today to have the permanent crown put in. Boy, this was not what I expected at all! I was there for almost an hour and a half! He kept taking it out and putting it in and having me bite down on carbon paper to make sure the fit was right.

Since the tooth broke up above the gumline it was painful every time he had to put the tooth in. At least all the drilling was done on the tooth out of my mouth! So no loud drilling noise in my ear.

By the time we were done my jaw was so fatigued it was cramping and my gum was so inflamed I felt like the right side of my head was swollen. I guess I wasn't prepared for such a long, painful appointment! I took some ibuprofen and that seemed to help with the pain.

So now that's over, we'll see if I continue to clench my teeth while I sleep. I asked the Dentist about the clenching and a splint but he said I would just clench on the splint. I guess I have to try and reduce the stress so I don't clench anymore.

That's my story, I'm glad it's over with!

;D Karen

[Lisa]

Karen, I am so sorry about your experience at the dentist, I hope your pain has discipated today. Remember to take some alieve if the pain doesn't subside, and go back to your dentist. Take Gentle Care.

Lisa