No agony

 No pain, no agony from dental work the other day!

I unfortunately keep having teeth which just seem to be falling apart. The enamel has almost disappeared from the front lower incisors, and it's like they're shrinking. Then two big teeth broke off in the last 4 months. The first was a canine, eye tooth. It didn't hurt, but left a spike of tooth remaining. I went to dentist to have the root pulled. That meant novocaine or whatever they use these days.

And once again that site of the injections became infected, leaving me with need for another course of antibiotics. Since I'd already had two bouts of pneumonia that hospitalized me this year, I was over my minimum (there isn't one, but they really don't want people to take too many antibiotics.) That site from the extraction took a very long time to heal.

Then a month ago a lower molar which was critical for my chewing broke off. It takes a month to get an appointment at my clinic, and I started avoiding crunchy foods. I've had a permanent bridge break off in the past, so was limited in my chewing ability. I even looked into the price to get dentures. My insurance didn't seem to cover them. Or at least they couldn't tell me how much they would cover.

But I called my dentist before this visit and said I had had these infections from the novocaine sites, and wanted it addressed. An assistant called me back and I discussed it with her, and she said they'd try to find a different method. I was hopeful.

Plus I wasn't in pain. If I had been I'm sure I could have had an emergency appointment. Sigh.

So as I was checked for this procedure, the Dr. said she might do a big filling on top of what was left of the tooth, but it wasn't even enough for a crown. She said in the future it might be pulled and a bridge put on there. But for now she could do a filling. And since there was no cavity, she wouldn't have to drill much, nor would I need novocaine! Yippee!

Dr. Locke and my happy face!

Maria, Dr. Locke's assistant who kept my mouth comfortable during the procedure.

And I went home to be able to chew my crunchy food! No fever, no pain. I'm a happy camper!

Since I have osteoporosis, I asked the dentist if that's why my teeth have broken so easily. She didn't know, but supposed it was possible. She didn't know of any research either.

It should be done if it hasn't. With all us elders out there and our teeth needing attention it's important! Of course maybe dentists prefer to just put implants in...which look lovely but are costly for those of us living on our retirement funds. Not exactly a smart situation to be in.

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Monday night we began to have snow. All day Monday stayed in the 20s F. That used to be too cold for snow, I thought. But there were snow showers off and on all day, though it didn't start to stick till after dark. The highways were slippery however, and I was glad to get home before 4 from the dentist.

At 8:30 I looked out to see lots of snow coming down and coating everything except the sidewalks (so far.) Not much light to see by however! 

Dawn from my pocket balcony 11.11.25. I was going to go out at noon for lunch, then had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon. I figured roads would be clear by those times. But my friend cancelled lunch. So I picked up Mexican shrimp tacos and went to another friend's house for lunch.

The last of the snowfall had included gusts of wind, so very little snow in the trees.

I swept my front steps, but there was ice on the sidewalk until a.) there was salt spread by the maintenance man, or b.) the sun hit it. The temperatures got above freezing before I left for lunch at 11:30. By then my  car had heated enough from the sun to melt all the snow on it.

Around 7:30 am

And I took the time to swing by an illegal parking place where I could get out and take these shots of the mountains overlooking the lake!

Later on Tuesday I met my new doctor, who I like a lot. Unfortunately the old practice has already closed, and though they said they faxed all my records to the new doctor's practice, she didn't have any of them, and there was nobody who could resend them. 

Fortunately I'd insisted that I was to get a copy as well...and it may be over an inch thick but only has the last 2 years of visits included. I was able to check when I went home to see when my last annual wellness visit had been, so we could schedule a next one...not till May. I laugh when considering that I might go that long without seeing her!

Dermatologist yearly visit is scheduled next week. Then the Vascular ultrasound of my legs...another yearly check. At least my Medicare supplement is covering these specialists. I feel so bad for my friends with just the ACA health insurance.