The best thing that can happen to any dentist is to go into your own office and get some teeth fixed. Last week, I was lucky enough to do that. I am better for it.

So I had these two front crowns (caps) that were about seven or eight years old and showing their age. A lot of coffee, tea, and a little red wine had stained them to the point where they really didnʼt look so good. Plus, crowns can be made prettier now than they were back then. Being an esthetic dentist made this situation unacceptable. Being married to a much more esthetic dentist really made this unbearable.

Plus, I was tired of having two ugly front teeth.

We had been trying for months to find an open spot in the schedule. For some reason, I kept getting bumped for more pleasant and enjoyable patients than myself. Alas, I finally made an appointment that stuck. My observations follow.

I cannot say much about the reception area or my arrival. Truth be told, I snuck in the back door while the team was having their morning meeting. I got in the chair, numbed myself, and was ready to go by the time they got done. The S-H-O-T was a necessary evil, but really was not a big deal. I gave myself plenty so Iʼd be real numb.

The pre-operative stuff was as expected and I was told that I was a bit of an exacting patient. Lots of pictures and such so that the lab can make me a nice set of front teeth. Itʼs always hard to work on family…even harder to work on another dentist. We look at teeth all day every day.

The actual procedure was not bad at all. Really numb is the key. I will freely admit that the smell and the sound were ever so slightly annoying, but not unbearable. I just went to my happy place. My next visit, though, will certainly include an iPod and some sort of aromatherapy lotion under my nose.

So far, my temporaries are as good as advertised. A little cold sensitive, but not unbearable. They look better than my teeth did before and are nice and smooth. I have been extremely careful though, as I really donʼt want to break them off or have to go to the office and re-cement them after hours. A seven year birthday party or tee ball game is not the place to lose your two front temporaries.

The good news is that Iʼll soon have two beautiful front teeth and it will all be worth it.

Until next week, keep smiling.

-Please send comments to Drs. Parrish at www.ParrishDental.com