I’m Not as Tough as I Thought I Was
Lessons from the dentist’s chair
Image by Caroline LM @carocaro1987
Why did the yogi refuse novocaine for his root canal?
He wanted to transcend dental medication.
Ok … dad jokes aside, I just had some major dental work in Costa Rica and took all the novocaine they’d give me. It was about a month’s worth of work in four days, and day one was 10 ½ hours in the chair. Here’s the rundown:
Day 1 - Filing down 27 teeth and fitting for crowns
Day 2 - Refitting for crowns
Day 3 - One extraction, two implants, two crown lengthenings
Day 4 - Rest
Day 5 - Fitting the crowns
This week’s Fundamental is about personal growth, and although dental work is not what we had in mind when we developed the Fundamentals, I’m finding it extremely apropos. It was definitely a learning experience and way out of my comfort zone.
I’m not as tough as I thought I was.
I mean, I knew I wasn’t very tough, but even with five gallons of novocaine in my jaw, I often found the pain beyond excruciating. I guess that stuff wears off after a while?
My endurance has also weakened. Early on, when the doctor said we might only get to half my mouth because my mouth muscles might get tired opening and closing so much, I tried not to scoff. I’d run marathons before; I knew how to endure fatigue.
I ate those words with my new teeth.
I had actual black and blue bruises on the circumference of my mouth from so many openings and closings. I passed out from exhaustion during our 25-minute “lunch” break but chose to finish the second half of the day — not because I was brave but because I didn’t trust myself not to run for the airport if I postponed it.
What do dentists call dental x-rays?
Tooth pics.
A book I’d read recently, How Doctors Think, occupied my mind throughout the week-long experience. It’s a fascinating examination of how humans who just happen to be doctors deal with their ego, their industry, their patients, and so much more.
The part that ran over and over in my head all week was this:
Some doctors forego tests or procedures for their patients if they are likely unnecessary and will cause pain or discomfort. There have been times when failing to perform these preventative actions have cost their patients dearly. I allowed Dr. Mora to dig, drill, poke, hammer and pull far more than I would have liked, so she wouldn’t take pity on me and possibly miss something. I often said, “STOP,” but not as many times as I wanted to.
One month later, I’m still settling into my new mouth. There’s much more to this story, but here are a few interesting things I learned:
Albeit barbaric, violent and at times terrifying, I have a renewed respect and reverence for dentists.
I was told I have a small mouth.
A high-pitched sound from any rotary tool (saw, drill, weedeater) still triggers at least mild panic.
Tooth enamel doesn’t grow back.
I wasn’t prepared for the adjustment of losing the organic connection between my teeth and my food.
Tequila helps.
By the way, I knew my dentist was good because she had an award on her wall —
A little plaque.
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Fundamental of the Week #17: BE DEDICATED TO PERSONAL GROWTH
Be a lifetime learner by challenging yourself to take risks and operate outside of your comfort zone. Solicit feedback, learn from mistakes and apply that learning. The magic happens when you understand problems as opportunities for breakthroughs.
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