Some time ago, there was a very interesting documentary on the BBC. Caprice (the supermodel) was made-up to look as though she had a port-wine stain. She worked closely with a lady who had a severe port-wine stain, and didn't have the option of removing it at the end of the day. Essentially, it highlighted two (probably related) elements of the human psyche and behaviour:
- People treat you differently when you are different
- Your confidence takes a beating when you step out of the house with such a feature.
Last night saw another trip to the dentist - this time I was fitted with a crown and the healthy counterpart had its front shaved off ready for the veneer. Now, in order to centralise the teeth, they've temporarily made the gap wider - thanks! And in order to allow for the veneer (and so as not to weaken the crown), the crown is a millimetre or so longer than its neighbour. As the dentist said, a millimetre is a mile in dentistry. Again - thanks, for that! I feel like Caprice did in the documentary - everyone looking at me oddly (even if they're not), and all my focus going into covering up.
My confidence has gone out of the window, and will remain there for the next two weeks. Next Wednesday I have a temporary fitting to finalise their shape, position etc.; then they're sent off to Brooklyn to be glazed ready for the final product to be fitted the following Wednesday. While my wife attends photography classes on Wednesday evenings, it seems I have enrolled in the dentistry class - as a subject! It will all be worth it (I hope) when I get the final product, but in the meantime, confidence is low, paranoia high, and looks are shot to pieces (no wise cracks, please!).
If nothing else, this experience has highlighted the mentality behind going to the dentist. If you don't go for a while, then the fear factor increases with time, encouraging you to delay making that appointment further. However, I've had the worst surgery of my life (touch wood), and iPod-equipped, it's been pretty painless. So if you've not been for a while, go! Otherwise, your mouth will look like mine does currently, which I don't recommend.
