The Apicoectomy

It was one week ago today. The dreaded apicoectomy.

As reported previously, I had an infection involving the tooth I had a root canal on about eight years ago. The prognosis was that the dentist who performed it (that no good son-of-a bitch) had done a half-assed job and the root canal had to be retreated. The endodontist said the best course of action was to perform an apicoectomy. This is a procedure where an incision is made into the gums above the tooth, the bone beneath it is penetrated, and the roots that the quack dentist had previously failed to remove are taken out and the canals sealed off. The cost would be around $1,400. Add to that cost the price of antibiotics to clear up the infection, the cost of the original root canal, the stress and the aggravation I've suffered, and suddenly I feel like driving over and assaulting my formal dentist.

My appointment was for 8:30. I arrived at 8:20 with my wife, who was my designated driver. The dentist sauntered in at 8:29 and in less than a minute I was in the chair. I immediately received the inevitable anesthetic injections. Once I was good and numb, we were ready to begin in earnest.

I closed my eyes and went to a happy place in my mind while my ears were filled with the sounds of bone being chiseled away. Blood and water splashed down my cheek as the dental assistant kept rinsing the surgical area so the doctor could see what he was doing. Finally the drilling stopped and the doctor did whatever it is he had to do in there, including removing an infected lesion in the area around the roots. Then they sealed the root canals in and stitched me shut. All in all, the procedure took a little over an hour, but wasn’t all that unpleasant compared to other dental high jinks I’ve endured.

When we were finished I felt great relief, but knew the ordeal was only just beginning.

I was given an ice pack to hold up to my cheek while the doctor told me about the long recovery process. The area needed to be iced, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, the entire first day. I was told to expect swelling and some bruising (I didn’t see any bruising but did look a little puffy). The flap of gum that had been stitched down was very delicate and must not be disturbed. This meant no hard foods that could poke at it and disrupt the healing process. Thus, I was on an all pudding, mashed potatoes and soup diet. Talking, smiling and laughing had to be kept to a minimum (not a problem). And I could not brush my teeth. After a day or two, I would be allowed to take a dry toothbrush and brush the teeth on the side of my mouth opposite the wound, but I could not get anywhere near the surgical site. As you can imagine, my teeth soon got rather funky; my breath even funkier.

Yesterday afternoon I returned to the doctor’s office for a follow-up. After a brief glance into my mouth, the doctor gave me an “A-plus”, as far as healing goes. He told me I could now start rinsing with hot salt water several times a day (to prevent infection and help the stitches dissolve), and that by Thursday I could start eating some normal foods again, albeit in a cautious and gentle manner (table for one at the Chinese buffet!).

Anyway, that’s where I’m at as of today. The recovery continues, as does the uninspired diet. But it looks like I’m going to get through this, just like everything else life throws at me.

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