wise teeth, dumb machines

so, my dentist says – like mount saint helen’s – my wisdom teeth are erupting… (okay – well he didn’t say “like mt st helen’s” – but he did say erupting)… seems like fortuitous timing really with the volcanic events and all going on. comparing my x-ray with the picture on this website, i have “messial impaction”

in any case, that’s what the pain is – infection under the gum of the newly emergent tooth. i am now on antibiotics and will soon schedule surgery to have my bottom two wisdom teeth removed. according to many websites, the removal of wisdom teeth (even impacted ones like mine) is unecessary and they should be treated only if they require it (say, for cavities, or to be straightened if they are growing into the side of your other teeth). but there are other websites that say all impacted teeth should be removed or they may cause bone degeneration in the jaw.

i suspect the former is likely more accurate than the latter as we have had these “extra” teeth for millenia before modern dentistry and got along just fine with them until about 60 years ago – but on the other hand, having sporadic pain and having to take cycles of antibiotics to fight infections isn’t particularly glamorous – so it’s off the oral surgeon i go (as soon as this strike is over).

in better news, i found out today my other laptop (the one i thought was going to be junked) is fixed and ready to pick up. turns out it was the logic board (i knew it!) and they replaced it for free under the logic board replacement program. now i have two laptops – but really that one i’m getting back has a ton of little problems (doesn’t clasp shut, speakers are shot, cd player doesn’t work etc. etc.) – so i’m not sorry i bought new one even though it wasn’t in my budget right at the moment. i think i will use the old one for data back-up instead. the best news really is that i get all my data back….

ahhh – sweet data….