Some good news on the "toof" front...

It was the simplest of the possible things that could be "wrong." (Well, it would have been simpler if the dentist had looked at it, said, "You're being a big wimp; it will clear up in another day or two.").

The temporary crown wasn't covering all of the tooth. There was a tiny (perhaps less than 1 mm square) bit exposed, and that was what was causing all of the pain. (The dentist said he knew what the problem was when the hygienist hit the tooth with the air from the air hose and I practically jumped out of the chair). The crown was "too short," as the hygienist described it.

So the old temporary was removed (it was not pleasant - I will only say that it involved something like a tiny buzz saw). A new temporary was made, carefully fitted, some kind of "desensitizing" medication (which tasted like Hell itself) applied, and then the new temporary put on. And sealed around the edges this time.

So hopefully my problems are fixed. I am going to be less delicate than I was about flossing; considering the sheer brute strength it took to remove the old temporary I don't think my flossing technique could dislodge one.

Also, a milestone: this is the first time I can remember I took a Novocaine shot without crying. Probably because I wasn't expecting it when I walked into the office and didn't have time to build up a whole mess of dread. But also perhaps because I had already been told, "Oh, no - you don't need a root canal" and I was just so dang relieved that it was a simple and comparatively painless fix that I could tolerate it.

The other good thing? No charge for the procedure or visit. (Well, I suppose that's to be expected considering that the previous not-perfect preparation was, as the dentist admitted, a mess-up on their parts.) But still, I'm glad there was no charge.

(Honestly, I had expected to walk in and either be told, "Cowgirl up and shake it off" or "You will need a root canal; the first open appointment we have is two weeks from Thursday." So it's kind of a relief to have a fix, and not a big complex scary fix. And to know that I'm not being a giant wuss about it.)