Kayecita visits the Denista!!!!

I don't know if I can find the words to describe my visit to the Dentist today. While I was out in Idaho I had a filling fall out. I thought about having it taken care of while there, but found out my insurance will only cover work done here in Puerto Rico, and since there was no pain, I decided to wait.

I went to a dentist last Friday, which is another story I will have to tell sometime, and found out that I would need a crown, and a ROOT CANAL. Yikes. To say this was not good news is an understatement. I had a root canal done about 9 months ago in Huntsville. I was so nervous, and wound up, but I was able to get laughing gas at the root doctor (sorry, I can't remember the correct name)

Any who, Dra. Diaz (it is Dra. because the dentist is a woman) referred me to the one specialist in Aguadilla. Marlow made the appointment for Dec 21, we wanted to get it in this year to use the dental deductable this year, and the crown will go on next years deductable. Josh arrived this morning, but my last root canal took less than an hour so I didn't think it would cut into our day too badly. My appointment was at 10 am, and were pleasantly surprised that the waiting room was not filled. We filled out the paperwork, and I was pleased that we shouldn't have a long wait. As 11 came and went I was beginning to wonder if there was anyone in the office. I had heard a drill, but no evidence of anyone other than the receptionist that had us fill out forms.

It was probably about 11:30 when I was asked to come to the back. They didn't want Marlow to come with me, but after he asked if she spoke English, he too was escorted in. The work area was open, reminded me of the orthodontist that Kyle went to where all the exam chairs were lined up in one big open area. I'm used to more private areas at our Dentist office. The office was clean and the equipment seemed pretty modern compared to the first dentist I saw. The assistant talked with Marlow, took a few xrays, and then we once again played the waiting game.

As far as I can tell they work on one patient at a time, until they are completely done, paper work and all. Even after the first patient was gone the dentist just wandered around doing who knows what. He finally came to me maybe about 12:10. He was about ready to numb me when I asked if he had laughing gas, at which point he gave me quite a lecture. He basically told me no, and if I wasn't brave enough to do it, the only alternative was put me out with an IV, and that would take a very long time. So.....I put on my big girl panties and dealt with it.

I was given plenty of time to go numb, the Dr returns, and I'm geared up to be brave. He sits down, and then says, "Are you in a hurry? I have a couple of really important phone calls I need to make, and I need a cup of coffee before I start." 40 minutes later he comes back to start. I then find out that he is only going to do 1 root today, and schedule another appoint to do the other root..... NO WAY!!!!!!

We tell him that we'd like it all done in one visit, and he says if I do okay with one he'll do both. I think after seeing me whine about the gas he figures I can't endure a long session. Anyway, he starts a little after 1, and I think he finishes about 2:30. But then it took forever to get paperwork done, and the xrays ready to go back to my dentist that has to do the crown. We didn't head home til 3. FIVE hours at the dentist. I felt so bad that Marlow missed so much work, I had no idea what an ordeal it would be.