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Monday, September 10, 2007

My first laughing gas experience

Current Mood:
CC is listening to: Jordan Pond--Jim Chappell (Acadia)

Okay first off, I never thought I could ever go to a dentist where I felt NO pain at all. And I was in for a root canal. Those things are supposed to hurt. I mean, that's why people say "It's as fun as a root canal," right?

I don't know if it's because dentistry technology has progressed a lot in the last few years, or if my dentist is just that good. Maybe it's a little bit of both, because I felt NOTHING.

Or maybe it was the gas, too. We all know it: nitrous oxide (N2O), better known as laughing gas. I was curious: is it really going to make me laugh?

It did :-). Not the *whole* time though, just for a few minutes. A little triangle-shaped cone goes over your nose and after a while, you get just a little sleepy, but it goes away. Then you feel little tingly sensations on your fingertips and you can't feel your feet as much. I remember thinking, "Oh, getting a little woozy here."

And then the little giggles start. You try to stop it of course, because there's absolutely nothing funny going on. And then the idea of trying to stop makes the whole thing even funnier. The dentist is putting his gloves on and getting ready, and I should be getting more scared by the minute, but there I am, giggling like an idiot, trying to keep it quiet.

Finally the dentist hears me and turns. "Is it working?"

"Oh yeah." Then he cracks a joke and I laugh even more.

Let's see, what else did I experience: time seemed to both stand still and go really quick at the same time. I had to make sure I focused on keeping my mouth open. I could hear the drill, and I could feel the dentist working in there, but I wasn't feeling any pain at all--they must have used some really good anesthesia.

At one point he stopped to take an x-ray, to make sure they took care of everything. The assistant took the inhaler off my face and I mumbled, "Awww, don't take the gas away..."

I was done in an hour. They put in a temporary crown and I have to go back in two weeks to get the permanent one. I was SO glad I opted for the gas :-).

Anyway, Dr. Mike Pulido. Awesome dentist. His office's tagline: "We cater to cowards."

Dr. Mike Pulido graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee in Memphis in 1985. He has served as President of the Memphis Dental Legion for the past three years. He has enjoyed membership in the Academy of General Dentistry since 1986.

Dr. Pulido is committed to the delivery of excellent family dentistry by continuous education to stay abreast of the latest techniques available. His involvement in modern technology includes orthodontic correction of minor tooth movement, cosmetics, and implantology.

Mike is married and resides in Germantown. He and his wife, Paula, have four children.

Mike Pulido speaks Spanish fluently and is actively involved in the community as a coordinator with adult and youth soccer associations.

Dr. Mike Pulido feels his patients deserve the best of dental care. He is very proud of his family practice, and he provides adults and children of all ages with quality dental care.

Imagine not being afraid of the dentist anymore. That's me now :-). If he can make a root canal painless, I've got nothing to worry about :-).

Addendum: Now that the anesthesia's wearing off, it feels like someone punched me in the jaw (not that anyone's ever punched me in the jaw)--but at least that kind of dull, sore pain I can deal with :-).

Labels: Reflections

Posted by Unknown | 1:13 PM | 1 Comments |

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