My Brother, The Dentist

Chapter 7

Thoughts began bolting through my head. 'Oh no, it's time. I could deal with everything else, but I haven't mentally prepared myself for this bit. My teeth are never going to be the same after this. What if it really hurts? I can't deal with this pain. What if people laugh at me? I'm going to look really stupid i'm sure of that. I'm going to have to go to the dentist so much more often now. I don't want braces. I don't. I don't. I don't!'

I began breathing really heavily, it wouldn't stop. My heart was racing so fast, I couldn't breath at all. My sight became blurry with the tears swelling up in my eyes. I felt so sick. I jolted my body forward sitting up in the chair, knocking the tray of tools far away and dodging the lamp over head. 'My breathing, I can't control my breathing' I thought to myself. 'Contol Billy, control.' But I just couldn't.

All of this happened within the space of about 5 seconds. Sam had pulled me into his arms and I was now sitting on his lap, his hand holding my head to his chest, the other wrapped softly around my body, softly stroking me. He felt so warm and homely, I held him tight not wanting to let go, ever.

"Shh, shh, shh, it's alright Billy, here, listen to my heart and sync your breathing to it. That's a good boy, slowly, calm yourself down." His voice was so gentle and calming, it made me feel so much better.

~Sam's POV~

"And now it's time for the braces" I stated, prepared to start my work. But before I could do anything else, Billy had bolted up in his chair, hitting my tools so they flew across the room. I noticed how heavy he was breathing and knew that this discomfort had to be a panic attack. He'd had them before, but they never seemed as bad as this. In a split second I pulled my mask and gloves off so Billy could feel more comfortable, and scooped my brother up in my arms like a bunch of flowers. I knew from past experiences Billy needed to calm down, so I allowed the beat of my heart to help slow his breathing down to a steady pace. After about a minute of holding him tight in my arms, his breathing lowered to a much more steady pace, and I saw him look up at me with great sorrow in his eyes.

~Billy's POV~

After clinging on to Sam for what seemed like hours, I'd finally calmed myself down enough to make conversation. Slowly, I looked up at my brother, still hugging him tight as ever. He looked back down at me with sympathetic eyes and warmth in his heart.

"I.. i'm really sorry S.. Sam" I began, sniffling as I spoke, "i'm just r.. really scared i... is all."

He smiled at me affectionately, before replying, "I know you are, and I understand that. It's not easy making changes or going through a procedure you're not used to. But I've got nothing else planned tonight and I'm willing to spend it all with you, so you're happy and comfortable. So don't worry Billy, we'll go at your pace- because I love you." He held me tight, as I began to sob into his chest. Never had I felt so much affection from Sam before, he was always so busy working and never had time for me. But now a different side was shining through, I felt overwhelmed.

"Why are you crying, Billy?" he softly asked, his cheek to my head; he wiped away the tears from my eyes and I began to answer...

"I just never get to spend any time with you Sam, I wish things were different. You're the only family it seems I have left- I love you."

There was a pause.

"Well i'm willing to change for the best Billy, I will make more time for you and we will spend more time together. I think that'll make us both much happier, don't you agree?"

"I agree" I responded, smiling delightfully. "I'm sorry Sam."

"You have nothing to be sorry about Billy" he informed.

...

"Can I get my braces now?" I asked.

"Never in all my life did I think you'd ask that question, but if that's what you wish, then your wish shall come true!"

We exchanged one final hug, then I was laid back onto the chair by Sam.

"I just have one request, Sam."

"What's that then, huh?"

"Please no mask...?"

"If that'll make you happy" he smiled, snapping on a fresh pair of gloves.

I laid there in silence for a while, hands in lap, waiting for Sam to get himself prepared for the second time this appointment. He scattered out the menacing tools on the tray again, positioned the over head light towards my mouth, and snapped on a fresh pair of gloves- excluding the mask this time around, per request. I felt a lot more happy being able to see Sam's facial expressions, it made it seem as if perhaps this appointment wasn't so much of a big deal, just chilling with my big brother. But then I noticed him pick up something that looked fairly familiar, he held it up so I could see.

"For my younger patients, I call this 'Mr. Smiler', but really it's just a mouth prop. I always use a mouth prop when applying people's braces because it's easier to reach the back teeth and also it stops your jaw from aching, having to hold it open the whole time. So would it be okay if I use a mouth prop on you Billy?"

"Isn't that the thing you threatened me with that one time, huh?" I questioned, the traumatic memories returning to my mind.

"Remember Billy, we're over that now" he responded, and I nodded my head approvingly. "So what do you say?"

"Do as you must" I responded, then proceeded to open my mouth without being instructed. Sam seemed to enjoy this independence, nodding his head with satisfaction and inserting the mouth prop. He struggled at first but managed to fit it into place after messing around for a bit.

"You all good?" he queried. I raised a quick thumbs up- not being able to talk- and he responded with a delicate smile. "I need to leave a suction in your mouth to collect all your saliva, it may be a tad noisy though just to warn you." Without being able to speak I nodded my head swiftly, and as a consequence the suction began it's duty. "I'm just going to begin gluing on the brackets now Billy, so if you want me to stop just raise your hand or gently tap me." I didn't respond to this, yet before I knew it Sam had got to work.

I felt slight pressure when Sam pushed and held the brackets onto my teeth, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it to be! Everytime he needed to cure the glue, he covered my eyes for me so I had to do practically nothing at all. Everytime he scraped off the excess glue with a sharp tool, the sound of it against my teeth caused me to shiver. After the last bracket had been glued on and cured, Sam removed the prop from my mouth and sat the chair up, moving the overhead light as he did so.

"How does that feel?" he asked me, as he sorted out his tray.

"They feel kind of rough, but there's no pain? I don't understand?"

"That's because there's no wire on them yet. The wire is what activates the braces and actually moves your teeth. But it's your job now to pick the colours you want!" He seemed overly excited for me. He placed a chart of colours into my hands, and took a seat next to me curious about my choice.

"I have no idea Sam, what do you think?" I asked, passing the chart over to him.

"Hmmm..." he thought, staring deeply at my chubby cheeks. "Well obviously it's your opinion, but I think blue would be nice? But you can change the colours everytime you get them tightened if you so desire. Or you could choose more than one colour, the choice is yours" he grinned, passing the chart back to me as if it was a hot potato.

After minutes of evaluating my choices, I came to my final conclusion. "Sam, could I have black and light blue?"

"An excellent choice!" he chuckled, lowering the seat back down which took me by surprise. He collected the colours I'd chosen, then returned back to his station to contiue the procedure. I noticed the new tools that had been laid out on the tray and became slightly tense again.

"Sam?" I began.

"Yes Billy?" he smiled.

"These new tools look scary, what are they?" I asked disheartened.

"They're honestly not that scary Billy, don't worry. I just use them to wrap the coloured bands around your brackets so the wire stays in place, that's all" he answered, rubbing my shoulder before once again positioning the light.

"Do I not need the mouth prop any more then?" I asked, hoping for a solumn 'no', and lucky for me my hopes came true!

"Final stretch now Billy, then we can go home and chill."

Sam measured up the wire and began fitting both the top and bottom into place. This felt slightly uncomfortable as the wire kept poking me in the gums and lips, my lip even started bleeding at one point (but I guess that's what comes with never wearing lip balm!) It was a struggle for Sam fitting the wire on my back teeth; but after much pain and anguish, my braces were finally fitted!

I sat up in the chair and Sam handed me a mirror to check out my new smile for the first time ever. I slowly smiled in the mirror and was shocked with surprise, I didn't look too bad!

"They actually look alright I guess" I murmured to Sam, as I finally rushed to get out of the dreaded chair.

"Yeah they suit you" he smiled, whilst packing up the room. "I'm so proud of you Billy, you did an excellent job."

"Yeah it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be really. Sorry for the inconvenience Sam."

"Don't worry about it Billy, we got there didn't we and that's what matters."

"I just don't understand how you're a dentist who specialises in children though Sam" I began, "you're so rough."

"I just do my job" He responded bluntly. "Do you wanna wait in the waiting room while I finish cleaning up? I'll be out in a few moments."

"Sure thing" I returned, but walking out of the room, I realised I'd never explored my brother's dental office (since the tramatic last check up was the first time I'd ever visited.) So I found myself looking around. It was a small building, with a waiting room and small reception desk, which led onto a short corridor in which a few rooms could be located. There were three check up rooms, two which consisted of normal dentist chairs and cuboards (the usual sort of thing), and the other a very colourful room where it seemed very young children had their checkups. Other rooms included a small office with a sign on the door that read 'Dr. Chespin's Office' (my brother), an x ray room, a play room, a toilet and a supply cupboard. I didn't want to dawdle too long so I took a seat outside in the waiting room and pulled up the camera on my phone. I began checking out my braces from front to back, they were actually quite interesting! Sam walked out with his brown leather satchel and noticed my curiosity.

"You like them then?" he grinned, showing off his chompers. I jumped at his presence, pocketed my phone then walked over to him rubbing my cheeks.

"They're alright, but my mouth really hurts" I groaned, burrying my head into his chest.

"They'll feel better soon buddy, i'll give you some medicine later if you want?"

"Fanks" I mumbled into his chest.

"He pulled me out from his personal space and began rolling up my upper lips looking at my braces.

"What are you doing?" I questioned in a somewhat disguted tone, "you've just been looking at my teeth for the past hour."

"I just think they look cute on you" he teased. I rolled my eyes at his gestures.

"Does anyone else work here with you, Sam?" I questioned, not knowing much about my brother's place of work.

"I have a receptionist but she only works two days a week. Hopefully it will be more soon. And someone called Adam, who I'm helping to train. He often comes in to help me out. Other than that, I do all the work. Why?"

"I'm just curious" I meekly smiled.

"Fair enough. Come on then, let's get home." He gently grabbed me around the shoulders and led me out to the car, locking up the office as we left.