A couple years ago, I started having pains from my wisdom teeth. My dentist checked them out, confirmed it was from my wisdom teeth, and prescribed some medication for the time. Although they were causing me a little bit of pain, they didn't need to be removed just yet. I could deal with intermittent pain (which usually seemed to happen when I had a cold... strange) until then.
Earlier this year, the pain returned in my lower right jaw... which was pretty normal. However, it seemed different. Fortunately, I had a regular check-up scheduled and the dentist was able to look at it right away. Just another small pain -- no need for any wisdom teeth removal. It didn't even faze him. No issues found anywhere. OK, cool.
Then it got worse. And made me cry. And kept me up all night. Finally,after one evening of nonstop whimpering and crying from me, my husband called 1-800-Dentist to see what they could do. They checked my insurance and referred me to Frank Zorrilla for a second opinion.
I arrived the next day to the nicest dentist office I've ever seen -- so clean and modern, with friendly, smiling staff. I was led to a spacious room in the back with large windows. Dr. Zorrilla came in with warm greetings, took a quick look at my teeth, and confirmed that my wisdom tooth needed to come out right away. I was relieved to hear this, but a bit annoyed that my other dentist didn't have any concern about it. Since the tooth was only slightly impacted, it would be an easier extraction -- Dr. Zorrilla is able to do them himself (no need for an oral surgeon).
The wisdom tooth was extracted a few days later. He used a series of numbing shots on the right side of my mouth so I could stay awake during the procedure (it was just one tooth, if it had been all four of them, I would be asleep for it). I had several bad experiences with the shots being incredibly painful at the previous dentist, so I was a bit anxious about it --- but they didn't hurt here! Little pinpricks and then happy numbness.
The procedure took nearly an hour, longer than expected. Not gonna lie -- it kind of hurt, a discomfort kind of pain with occasional bolts of lightning across my jaw (since I was numb). Dr. Zorrilla admitted to "beating me up a little bit" as he added stitches to the hole, and my chin experienced slight unending numbness for a couple months until it faded (one of the numbing shots must've hit a nerve), but I was still content with the whole experience. Would I do it again? Not sure. I'll probably opt to have all three removed at the same time while being knocked out.
I returned a few months later for a regular check-up and learned from one of the dental assistants (or was she a dentist? not sure) that I had been flossing incorrectly all my life. Gah! She patiently taught me how to floss well and cleaned up my teeth, all while humming along to the music that was playing in the room (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, etc.). Dr. Zorrilla did an exam and found a few cavities. Rawrr again!! My previous dentist hadn't noticed them at all, a mere six months ago. Maybe they weren't there? Maybe they didn't seem serious? But I still should know. The cavities don't require immediate attention but it's something I'll have to take care of soon.
So thankful for this office and their focus on preventative maintenance. Now I have a better understanding of all the fun stuff that happens with my teeth and more knowledge about how to take of them.
Bright smiles all around.
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