Tooth, cont.

Time for my tooth update! The news from the doctor yesterday was both good and bad, so let's start with the good, shall we? They checked out the tooth and took another x-ray and determined that the tooth had reattached properly and seems to be staying securely in place. I just have to keep the temporary braces on until next Friday to make sure nothing shifts. I can brush my teeth and eat normally now, with the exception of biting into something directly with my front teeth. The bottom corner of the tooth is somewhat chipped, which of course to me looks horrendous, but I've received many (honest) assurances that it really is hardly noticeable unless you're looking for it. I still don't like it but can't really do anything about it at this point, so I'll just wait til I get back to the U.S. and then look into getting it filed down or smoothed or something.

And now for the not-so-good news. Because the tooth became fully detached from the gum the nerve inside it died. Which means....root canal time! The dentist explained that they needed to remove all the dead nerve/pulp tissue from inside the tooth or it would most likely get infected. They then proceeded to schedule this procedure for May 22nd. As if the simple fact of having to get a root canal in a foreign country wasn't unfortunate enough, I was also supposed to go on a 4-day trip to Berlin with the other Wash U people. On May 21st. I asked to change the appointment and they said they didn't have anything earlier, and if I waited longer than the 22nd I would severely increase my risk of infection. I quickly weighed my options and decided that an infection in my mouth that could lead to prolonged and painful dental procedures was a bigger negative than missing the Berlin trip. But then they suggested that I could try to find another dentist who could do the appointment earlier. So, I asked some friends here for recommendations, called up a different dentist office, told them I needed a root canal by the 20th at the very latest, and got set up with a preliminary appointment on the 11th. So now I have to get all of my x-rays and files transferred, go there on the 11th, and hope to god they can get me in sometime before the trip.

In the meantime though, the swelling is completely gone, the scab on my lip is slowly disappearing, and except for the braces I'm almost back to normal. I've been lucky in receiving excellent care so far, so hopefully this will all work out in the end and fade into one of my less fond memories of my semester abroad. I hope you all are doing well and thanks to all of you who sent well wishes! Gute Nacht!