Root Canal - Part One

If there’s a tooth ache, it means there is an infection in the root of the tooth and an antibiotic drug helps, but I suppressed my tooth ache on pain killers since past 9 months. Obviously I cannot eat antibiotics for so long.

9 years ago, I developed a cavity in my #6 tooth, being an inquisitive teenager; I thought “Calcium ions have +ve charge on them, if by any means I can charge my tooth to a negative voltage, Calcium ions can be deposited over the cavity and the tooth can be repaired”. With no logical flaw in the thought, I got a 9V battery and using two wires, I connected the negative terminal to the tooth and positive terminal to my tongue. Current flew through my tooth’s root and I almost fainted with the pain. Before I could prove to the world that my technique was successful, I was taken to a female dentist.

She recommended root canal treatment for the tooth, with the due permission of my parents (no one cared to take my permission for messing with my own tooth) the root canal process initiated but suddenly she stopped, she said “the caries has not yet reached the roots, let’s not go for root canal, instead she cleaned and filled the cavity”. How can a root canal not be a root canal? Had my technique worked, did the current flow actually deposit Calcium; the pain I went through had paid off well or was it not a root canal at the first place? Whatever was the reason, my experiment just ended. The deep filling to this tooth made it sensitive and I avoided using it for biting hard.

8 years later, I was all prepared to go to USA. People said, dental services are very expensive in US, better get your teeth examined, and I just followed what they said. I went to a dental clinic and a female dentist examined my teeth. I reminded the doctor to examine that particular tooth properly as it had just escaped a root canal and has a deep filling which is already 8 years old. She turned down my request by certifying all my teeth perfect.

I came to USA, 3 months passed and this tooth started hurting again, pain was excruciating but subsided on taking some pain killers. Every time it pained, my last 8 years suddenly flashed in front of my eyes, I wondered how different my life could have been if the root canal was actually performed on it at the first place or if the doctor who recently examined my teeth had actually spotted the new caries formed beneath the old fillings. Now I have developed a strong distrust about female dentists, I never doubt there capabilities but I now doubt there decision making capabilities (I know I am wrong, but the series of unfortunate events forced me to develop this belief). Root canal procedure in US was definitely out of my budget and no dental insurance covers the expenses leaving me with the only cheapest option, option of going to India and getting it fixed there.

Before coming to US, I had already planned my first trip to India; I decided to visit India in December 2009. With every passing month, December appeared closer yet too far, and now this pain was another reason for coming to India. Already 9 months had passed since I got my first tooth ache attack and still one complete semester to finish before I can finally reach Mumbai. This constant pain had become a part of my daily routine, every morning the pain reminded me about the tooth still being attached to me and few painless mornings scared me. They scared me because no pain means a dead root, a dead root implies a dead tooth which will eventually fall off, and in this fear of losing the tooth I pushed the tooth with my tongue just to ignite the pain again and be satisfied about the belongingness.

Few days the pain would be sharp and lasted long, and this became more and more frequent as the time passed. I knew the danger was close and someday soon my dam of patience would crumble but I was helpless and just wished that I could hold it for few more months. Two weeks back from now, the pain was intolerable, same pain killers appeared helpless. I slept in pain and woke in pain, I spoke in pain, I smiled in pain, I survived in pain and hoped the pain subsides. With no improvement after waiting for 4 days I decided to consult a dentist at the universities health center. Doctor said “the roots of your tooth have already initiated the process of de-attachment, hurry else you will lose your tooth”.

My worst nightmare just appeared in front of me and I was not yet ready to face it. I was confused and ignorant about tackling this situation, in so many days I did nothing than waiting for December to arrive. As my friends learned about my situation, they approached me and helped me in all possible ways; even I tried all the permutations and combinations of getting it cured in US. The most promising and cheap option was going to Mexico but an option of going to India was always open. I was finding it difficult to fix a place and was looking for some hint from god which can help me. I called my dad and asked “Papa what shall I do”? He said “son don’t think much, just come to India, we all are eager to see you”. I called a travel agent and booked my ticket to India on 30th August 2009.

Now I am in India, circling the dental clinic like a vulture circles its prey, with just 10 days in hand I want to complete the whole procedure. They call me every day for some or other procedure to be done on the silly tooth; it makes me think if an extraction was a better option than this root canal!!