When I say “a day with the endodontist” it was really just an hour. After a swiftly delivered and expertly rendered needle to freeze me, we were soon on to the surgery (or whatever it should properly be called). Naturally throughout the procedure I hadn’t a clue what the good doctor was confidently mumbling to his assistant (though I thought to have caught the phrase “a 14”). Only once did he speak to me, something about “we’ll take care of that later”. Then it was over and the bits and pieces were being removed from my mouth.

Endodontist
origin 1940s from endo “within” + Greek odous, odont – “tooth”, on the pattern of
“orthodontist”

These endodontists are very particular. Just, I suppose, as was my family dentist who referred me to the endodontist in the first place.  Now however I understand that even if today’s procedure proves satisfactory, I must return to my family dentist for additional treatment.  And if by chance the tooth must be removed, then it’s back to the family dentist for the removal then on to someone else for the implant replacement. I’m presuming the implant constructionist (on the pattern of “endodontist”) knows all about gold in addition to ivory or whatever they use to echo the original fang composition.

It is yet another advantage of aging that one can readily bear the loss of a tooth. I mean, for some it’s hair.  For others it is more existential; that is, loss of one’s glamour or “sexiness”. And the further associated but unforeseen dilemmas of inordinate weight gain, a burgeoning and thriving interest in Tim Horton’s donuts and an overwhelming preoccupation with podcasts and The Times of London. But really!  Where’s the danger! Surely the days of relevancy have long ago expired. I say: Proceed as required and recommended. Be damned the modification!

Indeed that was my exact pronouncement today while being ushered to the waiting room counter to settle the account.

Soon we were restored to the inexpressible comfort, reliability and mechanical wonder of the family automobile – if, that is, “mechanical” any longer applies to the electrified vehicle. Surely something within the machine must survive upon motion, revolution, ticking or movement of some description. Or, is it entirely fascinating and deceptive like a battery operated watch, where the largesse of the case is cosmetic only, disguising within a near imperceptible convention of parts. Whatever! It didn’t hinder our rapturous exit from “yet another thing done”. In old age it requires far more than disclosure of technological secrets to condense an otherwise inflated disposition. Our “one hour” tour to the endodontist had now consumed our entire day, beginning early this morning with preparations for timely departure, then the drive to and through the city to our destination and back again, the “surgery” and the car wash on the way home.  All in all it was a devoted exercise from 10:30 am this morning to nearly four o’clock this afternoon.  What’s that? Six hours roughly. Okay, five and a half hours. Only one of us had any coffee throughout the procedure – I spared my indulgence in the chilled caffeine until afterwards. I now eagerly await Nature’s evolutionary transition and intelligence which has been knowingly scheduled to September 30th. Just add it to our list!