Crowned Queen?

Tomorrow, I receive my new crown. I cannot wait to show it off. Um, errrr, sorry. Wrong kind. In actuality, I am getting a crown on one of my teeth. Lovely. Wish it were the other kind.

I went to the dentist today after putting it off for, um, six years. (But who's counting, it could be seven.) Oh dear.

To make a long story short, I have normally been pretty good about going to the dentist at least once a year, every six months if needed. When we moved here (uh, like in 2001), I set up my first appointment like a good little girl. Took all my dental records to the new place. Sat down and let the hygienist poke and prod and give the usual lectures about this or that (basically humiliate me). Then they escorted me to an office. I thought "Hmmmm, this must be pretty bad." And then the dentist came in. She looked at my xrays, charts, numbers, etc. and said, "Well, you will need this and you will need that" and then got up and walked out. They then gave me my chart to check out and told me I could make an appointment to have it all done on my way out. Wha? I thought I was there to have my teeth cleaned. Oh no, it was just a consultation, a $200 consultation! Of which my insurance did not cover. "Guess that's how they do it down here in Nashville," I sneered. Of course, I never went back. And I told anyone who asked about dentists in the area to stay clear of that one, fersher.

Like I said, I do try and take care of my teeth. I brush, I floss, I pick, I gargle, I even buy things overseas that the FDA has not approved over here to take care of my gums. But that many years in between check ups, well, you know, kinda makes one nervous. I had no idea what to expect. This time, however, I did my research on GOOD dentists in the area and the hub has been seeing this one for a couple of years, grin. And I finally broke down and called to make an appointment, like yesterday. "An open appointment tomorrow, eh, really?" hehe. I bit the bullet, so to speak, and took the appointment. I am here to tell you, mostly all is well.

My gums are in better shape than they have ever been; albeit places are a bit recessed. The hygienist suggested I am "trying too hard" to keep them in good shape." Hmmm. I have never been told that I am working too hard on my teeth. Wow. "A little gentler with the tooth brush and the floss." I felt like doing a little dance right there in the chair (but I contained my composure, of course, and just grinned ear to ear--one of those really toothy smiles). No cavities, no gingivitis, no gum disease. It was a good visit. "Oh, I do see a crack on your last molar . . ." Wonderful. Stop grinning stupidly now. Great. Thought I had already passed GO and collected $200. Darnit!

Guess when my appointment is? Tomorrow. Also will be removing an old filling and replacing it. Joy.

Hey, it could have been worse. A LOT worse! I am not complaining! Now, tomorrow may be a different story. I'll tell you then. But for now, I'll only give you a big ol' cheeky GRIN.