Saturday, January 31, 2009

DENTIST AT WORK: TEETH UNDER CONTRUCTION

I really am fed up to my teeth about my, well, teeth (or whatever remains of them). I’m a veteran visitor at the dentist’s, and I’m sure he’s planning an academic research paper on the subject of my teeth.

Various kinds of civil construction work continue to take place inside my mouth, leaving me feeling distinctly uncivil.

I’ve had root canals, metal crowns, ceramic crowns (in the inverted world of dental logic, steel crowns are more expensive than gold crowns, and ceramic ones are the costliest – figure that out), bridges and other architectural marvels in my mouth. Does that make me a big-mouth? I shudder to think what my real teeth look like under all that reconstruction. A bomb-hit, devastated, charred-and-filed to bits archaeological ruins of what was once a white and wince-free city?

I’ve had two wisdom teeth taken out. The remaining two should, by definition, make me a half-wit.

And now, I’ve got to go for another bridge-work, adding to the existing two. With the number of canals and bridges that I have, I sometimes feel like an oral replica of the city of Venice (and here I was hoping to be a Venus with a perfect smile).

So, there I’ll be again – in the dentist’s scary-chair, open-mouthed and resigned to my fate, wincing at the drill and blinking at the light. Oh, for the toothless joys of infancy/old age! Maybe, that is much less painful than the ruthless re-shaping of my dental geography.

13 comments:

Ugich Konitari said...

Like the assorted construction going on in my immediate vicinity, this seems to be a season for human (re)construction of all types. Am scheduled for some digging of canals myself in a week. Hope it has a better future . (At least the gaps are filled in the mouth cavity. Outside they leave those for us to fall in :-)

Unknown said...

hey sucharita
amazing post!!! loved it !!!

I hate dentists!!! when I was a kid dad had taken me to one, who was shining his stainless steel instruments. I saw that and ran..... had the entire hospital run after me to catch me..... my first instinct even today, when I see them is to RUN in caps and bold. I had all my wisdom teeth extracted some time ago!!! (no wonder i am dumb)It was bad..... cant eat anything for days. All the best!!!

Sukku said...

Looks like I am qualified to comment on this article..as I had undergone some renovation works inside my mouth ...root canal, bridging, and I had 4 sessions of cutting my gums and cleaning my teeth and grafting and stitching it back (guess my gums were receding and if I don't do the surgery then my teeth would fall out one by one)...I did it at Hyderabad by Dentinova...it was pretty expensive by Indian standards...but the job was well done...and if I compare the rates with the Dentist here in Malaysia...then I'd say it was moneys worth in India with MDS surgeons...

Sania said...

Hey Suchitra, can understand your plight!
I am one of those who belong to the group of people whose teeth are always under construction! And to top it, my friends just can't stop teasing me for the same...
Lets take it as a part of life and be strong enough to face your forthcoming renovations..
Al the best!

nsiyer said...

That's a fantastic post. You have company in my wife. The ruins of Greece and Rome, Mohenjodaro and Harappa - allin one can be seen. But mind you, despite all this she will not leave her gulab jamun, chocolates and sweets.

Lazyani said...

Heartfelt sympathies Sucharita.

Imagine you doing within your mouth what I do for a living in the Entire city of Kolkata--- Altering the skyline!!!

Great write-up and I do empathise as I had had my milk tooth pulled out as they were refusing to fall of their own even when the second row had come into existence.

sheknows said...

i am on with braces (they call it smile enhancement technology )
one thing always worry me why they use so complicated instruments for teeth.

but still now technology have reduced some pain ...i guess...

hmm i am under the same category "under construction"

take care

Pinku said...

good luck!!

I shudder to think of a dental chair...so am squirming here just reading your post...

jyotsana said...

hi sucharita
i want to say i understand how terrible it is...but right now i am laughing....i cant help it u hve such a great sense of humour..

Sucharita Sarkar said...

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for the sympathy and the confidence-boosting, but I assure you that I have written the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the very painful tooth.

sleepingKelly said...

My husband has similar dental woes. In the time that we've been together (3 years), he has had 2 root canals, his wisdom teeth removed, 4 crowns, and countless filings. I'm the complete opposite; I only have one filing and the rest are "originals". There are days that he jokes that he married me for my genetics, and some days I believe him.

Sucharita Sarkar said...

Hi SleepingKelly,

No wonder you have such a peaceful blogname with all your original teeth in place. My teeth and accompanying toothaches do not let me sleep in peace, at least as of now.

Lilly said...

Another funny, very written post. You are clever, wisdom teeth or not. I enjoy reading your posts.