Twenty years ago the title of this post would have been “The Dreaded Dentist,” but I’ve been working with a woman the past 23 years who has helped me get over some of the fear I have of dental work. My periodontist has asked for the complete set of x-rays so that he can determine if I have had any bone loss. I decided to ask the dentist to do the x-rays because we have worked on techniques to put me at ease that the periodontist doesn’t do.
I arrived at the office at 6:40, twenty minutes early. I wasn’t sure how bad rush hour traffic would be, and whether I might have to wait on commuter trains. The dentist arrived about five minutes to seven, and we got started on time. She had to take EIGHTEEN x-rays. The new office assistant was developing them as they were taken. Unfortunately, she didn’t realize that the films had to be put through the machine in a carrier. So, the machine ate them. (sigh) I had to take four or five of them a second time, but they were the ones in the front, which bother me the least.
I waited for half an hour for the doc to be able to read all the x-rays. That was almost worse than actively taking the x-rays, but finally I was free to go home.
There was a message on my answering machine. Doc was looking at the films and wants to take three of them again. She feels the camera angle can be improved to show there isn’t anything bad going on. (sigh) I’ll have to go back.
I want to record that I behaved myself in the dentist’s office today. I was pleasant, and easy to work with. But, I really would like to get things like this over with in one try.
It always amazes me how people dread dental appointments. Good for you in getting over it.
Few of the dentists still use x-ray film around here, opting for digital processing. Digital is much faster, more convenient, and easier on the environment; but, it doesn’t have quite the resolution that good x-ray film pictures have. Your periodontist is lucky.
I too was going to say, can’t remember the last time I heard of film x-rays. Digital is much lower dosage bad rays, so better for you, I’m told. I too hate dentists – the pain of the bill being much much worse than the actual, these days.
I’m going to have to ask my dentist why she is still working in film when digital is available. I’ll bet it’s the cost to buy the equipment. She works alone. She and her husband bought a building and have refinished it over time. They’ve done a nice job on what I can see, but I don’t think they have any renters to defray part of the cost. Her husband has trained to make night guards and other appliances, and he works upstairs. I’d be very happy to switch to digital. It might have prevented some of the problems I’ve had this past session.
Blue Witch, it’s nice to see you. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods.