In which I’m not particularly pleased.
I had an appointment with Gramma’s dentist at 11:00 this morning. A tech took $119 worth of x-rays, and then I sat in a chair for 15 minutes and meditated. Then the doctor came in, looked at my films, poked my teeth, and told me I need two fillings. He told me I should either get braces (?) or have $2,000 worth of cosmetic porcelain work done to fix my upper front teeth, one of which is pushed slightly forward. There was no prophylaxis hygienist available, so I had to make a second intake appointment before I can make an appointment to get my teeth cleaned.
While the dentist was really nice and he looked sort of like Santa Claus, this is not the sort of service I was hoping for. Sure it’s neat to know that – if I had money – I could get fun things done to make my teeth look like those of a movie star, but I don’t want any of that shit. I want my TEETH CLEANED. And I should not have to pay for two preliminary appointments just to be able to get a prophy appointment!
The ‘cavities’ are two slightly soft spots on one of my molars. Sure, they might turn into real cavities, but considering that I’m nearly 40 and have never had a cavity in my entire life suggests that there’s really not a high risk of the tooth rotting out of my head in the next few months. Only one of the two spots even goes through the tooth enamel so I think spending $500 on fillings I don’t really need can fucking wait.
The doctor suggested that I have one of my top front teeth ground down and the one behind it filled in, and both covered with porcelain, to create an even-looking top arch. And if I should find I need to sit for a Rolling Stone cover shoot, I’ll certainly consider the cosmetic work then but right now all I want is to get my teeth cleaned.
I think I’m in the market for another dentist.
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Perhaps you should have asked someone at work for a recommendation of a dentist?
Have. Am. -m
OMG, I hate hard-sell dentists and it’s like that’s all there is anymore! My dentist tried to trick me into getting a gum graft I didn’t need. He totally didn’t tell me it was mostly a cosmetic procedure! Gragh, makes me so mad. I’m almost 40, too, and have had only two cavities my entire life, and all I want is my teeth cleaned, thank you very much!
EXACTLY! -m
Dentists — don’t get me started!! My dentist insisted I have one of my teeth (mostly filling) capped. I opted for the cheap cap instead of the porcelain one. The cheap one was a $500 cap. A few visits later, he “had” to pull that tooth. WTF???
Just wait until you have dental insurance and they will never, ever, ever run out of things you “need”.
As for the dentist you just saw — run as fast as you can and find another.
If I chart my income/insurance over the years, it’s safe to assume I shall never, ever have dental insurance. -m
I’m a big fan of not doing unnecessary dental work. I am another person who doesn’t really get cavities. I had a dentist talk me into filling a back molar due to “developmental grooves” and there may be a speck of decay better to fill sooner than later, it won’t even take novicane. 10 years later that tooth is cracked due to that dental work. It still isn’t decayed yet but it will be eventually which will lead to my first “real” dental work. Everytime I go in lately, since they can’t charge me for any real work they always try to talk me into getting my teeth whitened. I innocently ask how much cause it would be nice to have white teeth but u know its not covered by insurance. They always just as innocently answer 600 bucks! Then I not so innocently tell them what I would do with 600 bucks if I had it and that getting my teeth whitened with it would never even occur to me.
If only I didn’t need the damn dennis. *sigh* -m
Remember that by law they MUST turn over your X-rays to your new dentist or to you.
Yup. -m
Being one of the professionals that you speak of, I highly recommend that you find another one.
I myself am embarrassed that there are dentists out there that only see $$$$$ and not the patient as an individual.
You have to be more assertive in what you want done when you make an appointment. Don’t be intimidated by them.
I despise those money mongers, they give the rest of us a bad rap.
I agree with Jim, a referral from a friend or colleague is the best way to go.
Thank you for the insider advice! -m
i feel your pain… 42 and i’ve never had a prob w/my teeth, but at my last visit, my dentist told me i have a cavity on one of my wisdom teeth. crap. in other news, i got the bill from my recent hospital encounter: for the low, low price of $11,999.95 i have a bionic elbow i can’t even bend.
A bionic elbow for only twelve grand? A bargain! -m
Blah. He’s an ass. Lose ‘im.
Heh. -m