Recently I underwent Odontectomy. It sounds fancy and serious, but it just meant the surgical removal of your tooth, more commonly the 3rd molar (the damned wisdom tooth). Well for me, teeth.
Yep, I had my 2 wisdom teeth removed.
I just want to share my experience since I find it so funny
and awkward.
Monday, I had night duty. All through out my shift, I was
trying my best not to hurt something/someone because my gums are aching so bad.
It was aching for almost a week, but that day was the last straw.
Tuesday, I went to our family dentist to have my teeth
checked out. I was having mouth ulcers on my left inner cheek, and I’m blaming
it on my upper wisdom tooth because it decided to be unique and not follow in
the footsteps of his fellow teethmates. The dentist said it has to be removed
if it’s causing any pain, and fucking yes, it was causing problems, especially
on my eating habits. I’m getting starved here people!!
Anyway, she also inspected my other three wisdom teeth, and
said I shall get them removed soon. She even stated she won’t be able to
perform it because the procedure is basically a minor surgery, and she wasn’t
qualified to do so. I was practically gawking at her (she’s still inspecting my
mouth, so yes, I am gawking), and uttered hideous sounds as I was trying to
show her my disbelief. She told me to get a panoramic x-ray of my mouth to
maybe back up her silly theory.
I went to a nearby hospital to have it performed. And
fucking ducks, she was right! Even the technician told me that I had to get
them out soon. He handed me the price list for the procedure, and though we
would be having a discount, it was still expensive, more like not on my budget.
I decided to check out our dental services at the
institution where I worked. And being an employee, I know it would be for free.
The perks.
Anyway, there are two dentists for us employees. I contacted
the first one, told me they don’t do odontectomy, so she gave me the address of
the other dentist instead.
Wednesday, with the X-ray on hand, I went to the said
dentist.
The ride going to Manila was grueling. Traffic was bad; it
was a Wednesday after all. Nevertheless, it didn’t faze me at all. I was so
prepared to have it removed. I was even humming a good song whilst finding my way
across the streets.
I was pretty good with directions, but I was doubtful when I
reached the spot. I did a double take… I was so confused. The area was swarming
with dirt, wood, cement bags, and a few workers here and there. I entered the
place, excused myself from the construction workers, and found a sweet lady inside.
I know it was pretty reckless for me to enter the place without permission, but
I think when you are desperate enough to find someone to remove your tooth, you
wouldn’t care if you are trespassing or not. So yeah, I asked her if I was in
the correct place, and she said I was right.
I haven’t even had my wisdom tooth removed, and I was
starting to lose my wisdom! My golly. I was again sporting a puzzled stupid
look. And I think she saw the confusion on my face, and started explaining that
the clinic was being renovated at the moment (no shit Sherlock), and would be
finished by the end of next month… It took me a full minute to grasp what she
said. And though I was practically gaping like a fish AGAIN at her, all I can
hear on my mind was my shouts saying “NEXT MONTH?!” again and again. I was
getting deaf really. And crazy too.
So, with a defeated sigh, I decided to stop by at a nearest fast
food (All Hail McDonalds) to buy something cold to cool my nerves. Have I mentioned
I am mean when I am in a bad mood? Well, now you know. I felt bad for snapping
at the cashier. In my defense, she was acting like she didn’t hear my order
loud and clear, and I had to mention my order THRICE! But, I’m still on the
wrong for snapping, so yeah. I’m sorry.
I headed straight to the hospital canteen (I walked out of
McDo with my frozen Coke), and ordered some siomai. I was really hangry (hungry
and angry), and I couldn’t make decisions on this state. So I took my time
eating my bland, dry, and overpriced siomai. It was a funny sight really. It’s
like I was leaving my fate to the Siomai. It’s up to my siomai to determine
what plan I would partake next… and yes, with a grumpy face on, I finally decided
to go back to home.
The commute back was really tense. I was surrounded with
strangers, and there’s a crazy feeling inside me that I needed to share my bad day
to everyone. To get sympathy, I guess. I had actually texted a couple of people
regarding my experience, and so far, none of the replies lightened my mood. So I
resorted to listening to my playlist. Specifically, the Hamilton Soundtrack.
Everything was fine and dandy on Act I, but it went downhill
on Act II. I actually had listened to the Soundtrack a million times, and it
never failed to make me emotional. Especially on the part where Philip dies, I
cry every time.
Sept, Huit, Neuf
And yes, I turned on the waterworks, on the public
transport, surrounded by strangers. I tried to suppress my tears, but I think I
was really upset on my trip, that I can’t seem to stop the tears from flowing. I
think everybody in the UV felt uncomfortable. I was practically releasing a
miasma of unfulfilled plans!
The driver kept stealing glances on me, and I think he
wanted me to offer his box of tissue on the dashboard, but I was seated on the
backseat. We exchanged glances through the rear-view mirror for a millisecond,
and I translated it to something along the lines of “You can do it. You don’t
need them in your life. Remove them.”
Yes! Yes! Yes! I would fucking have them removed it today,
sir! With ‘Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story’ playing in the
background, I decided not to give up, and go drop off on the nearest mall (I
remembered malls also have dental clinics!!) And my golly, I guess fate was
with me at that time. You see, I had the album on repeat, and so the intro of
Alexander Hamilton was the song when my I got off the UV. Pretty badass, I tell
you.
I thanked the driver for the nice ride. And I think the
passengers were relieved too because I looked so happy, or maybe just because the
gloomy miasma was finally out of the vehicle. Looking at it now, I believe I looked
crazy. Either way, I felt like nothing can stop me from having the operation.
And yep, the mall had dental clinics, however they said they
would perform the procedure TOMORROW. One more day… nope, that won’t do. I
needed it done today! And yes, being the crazy lady I have become, I decided to
go back to the hospital where I had my X-ray. Expensive or not, I didn’t care
anymore. I was that desperate. It was getting pretty dark already.
So yeah, I had it removed there. The nurse and the dentist
were nice. I learned that we went to the same university (well hello there
fellow alumni). I also discovered later on that the procedure lasted for an
hour and a half, since they had to perform some drilling on my lower jaw, and
they placed a Collacone® on each holes to aid in the speedy healing of my gums.
I was advised to rest for a day, and that I should come back a week after to
remove the sutures.
Well, well, well. I think I’ve never felt so alive. Kidding.
But seriously, they were so accommodating that I went home with souvenirs: my 2
teeth and some pictures of my mouth during the operation, which sounds a little
creepy now that I’ve mentioned it.
Anyway, I asked my dad to take me home (since I can’t
commute nor drive post op). We also went to a nearby store to buy ice creams
and ice candies. I guess my breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be ice creams. Who
wouldn’t want that life?
So far, I don’t feel anything on my mouth right now. I feel
numb. I have this ice pack on my left cheek, and you might be wondering why I am
writing instead of resting. Well, I learned a valuable lesson today. Two, if I might
add. And I want to share it to you:
- Don't ever listen to Hamilton Soundtrack before and after a wisdom tooth extraction (applies to any major events that would happen), and
- Don't listen to Aaron Burr when he said to "Wait for It" (sometimes) LOL
