RMCIII 838 #1 Posted September 26, 2015 Where to begin with this thread? I guess it would have to be today. So today made the 5th time I have gotten an infection, deep in my gum line, under tooth # 30. the tooth has both root canal and a crown. This is the 2nd crown I have had on it. The first one came off while I was eating a steak. I did not know it, and bit down hard enough to destroy the crown. The ironic thing about it was when I did bite down, it was tooth # 30, that took the brunt of the bite that destroyed the crown. My dentist thinks that I may have bit down hard enough to cause a slight crack to run down to the base of the root of tooth # 30. Today was the 2nd time he had to do a deep gum cleaning to remove the infection that had started once again. I told him that this was the last time we were doing this and if the infection comes back, I am going to plan "B" Plan "B" consist of an extraction and replacing with either a partial or an implant. I would guess that some of you have had to have a deep gum cleaning, but for those of you who have been lucky so far, it is NO FUN! Even with 4 shots of Novocain it was still painful. Not to mention, he cut some of the gum away to get down to the base of the root. So here I am, typing this now, getting ready to take another Percocet. Not the best way to spend a Saturday. Especially when it is a beautiful fall day out.....RMC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,147 #2 Posted September 26, 2015 Bummer...I don't know anyone who enjoys a dentist visit! Yours sounds like it was hell!Mike........ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,782 #3 Posted September 26, 2015 Not only is going to the Dentist a PITA and mouth,, but the billing afterward is a nightmare. I haven't seen a Dentist office in the last 25 yrs' get the Insurance correct. 2 years ago I had to call the Ins. Co. 15 times trying to get reimbursed for a crown. Dentist office kept sending the wrong info. One time they didn't even get my name right. Then after my heart issue, I cant get any dental work done until I'm off plavix. I haven't been to the Dentist in 15 months. 2 month's ago I get a bill for $170 that they can't even tell me what it's for!. All this after I dropped my other Dentist office. He retires and the new doc sends every patient a repeat of there last bill. I question it and they said they sent them to every one. How many patients to question it and just pay it? I thought that was a pretty crappy way of getting to know your new patients and told them so and walked out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #4 Posted September 26, 2015 I feel your pain!I broke a really big filling a few weeks ago and made an appointment to get it fixed.Got it "refilled" and all was well. 2 weeks later, I was in for a 6 month cleaning and they decide that newly filled tooth needs a crown and the amount the insurance paid on the filling will be deducted for the amount they pay for the crown work!I was upset that they didn't go with the crown in the 1st place, and the fact they knew up-front about the insurance business. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 630 #5 Posted September 26, 2015 About 10-15 years ago I gave up on normal pain management for dental procedures. Everything now gets done under sedation, a couple mg of Xanex. I am out for the day, but no memory of the pain. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,911 #6 Posted September 26, 2015 Had a problem tooth about 25 years ago, (the pain was excruciating) had it pulled and a bridge done to both adjacent teeth. The others would have required crowns within a few years so it was a no-brainer. Hope your gums heal quickly 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,782 #7 Posted September 26, 2015 I feel your pain!I broke a really big filling a few weeks ago and made an appointment to get it fixed.Got it "refilled" and all was well. 2 weeks later, I was in for a 6 month cleaning and they decide that newly filled tooth needs a crown and the amount the insurance paid on the filling will be deducted for the amount they pay for the crown work!I was upset that they didn't go with the crown in the 1st place, and the fact they knew up-front about the insurance business. Had the exact same thing, Broke a tooth where there was a big filling. They repaired it and said you really need a crown. Got the estimate and it was for as much as the repair. If I needed a crown why not tell me up front so I can forgo the repair and have the crown done and save half the money. And people say Auto shops are ripoffs! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #8 Posted September 26, 2015 It's not the shops... it's the guys behind the counters. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,293 #9 Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) I just had two crowns done about three weeks ago, and I hate to tell you guys this, but I lay back in the chair and fall asleep, without Xanax. The dentist gives me a big ole shot of novacaine, props my mouth open with a rubber wedge, and after a few minute I'm asleep. Sorry you all have so much trouble. I have Delta Dental insurance and they cover 2 exams and cleanings per year, and pay a little more than 1/2 for other procedures. Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk Edited September 26, 2015 by rmaynard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,189 #10 Posted September 26, 2015 I had the same exact procedure done recently on the same tooth. Not fun at all and the end result was removing the tooth. If you think the cleaning was bad, well you ain't had the removal yet.. When all was said and done it felt like Mike Tyson rearranged my face.I still need to have the implant done.. The dentist that will do that wants to be paid up front... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #11 Posted September 28, 2015 Mike, Dave, Bob:I have good insurance when it comes to dental insurance these days..... What I am interested in is the "sleeping mode" while in the dental chair. WHAT/WHO/HOW is this accomplished? In all my 30 plus years of seeing a dentist on my own I have yet to be put "under". I have heard of others who are/were given that option. Still have yet to see/experience that. Xanax??? Do you have a prescription for this on a regular basis, or do they give you 1 before going in the chair?RMC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 630 #12 Posted September 29, 2015 OK -- I am the one that put the Xanax into play -- Your dentist can prescribe it -- In my case they write a real small (1 or 2 pills) script for my visit -- If you are having anywhere near the trouble I had (mouth full of Novocain would do little good for me; old dentist described me as "hypersensitive"; said that I was not the only one he had; that it usually was men; and would get worse with age) your dentist would probably rather sedate you -- I know that how it worked in my case -- Ask your DDS what can be done for you to be sedated prior to your next procedure -- Bear in mind that you will need someone to transport if you go this route -- No driving allowed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #13 Posted September 29, 2015 Thanks Dave. I hope this last procedure took care of the issue. If not I am checking into this option. Regardless of the amount of Novocain they administer, it seems it is never enough. Patients should not have to feel the pain of work being done. Especially when it comes to your mouth. I have endured may painful procedures while I was in the Air Force. Some of which came from the "training" that the new students needed. One such training was me getting 7 stiches in the top of my head with no, and I repeat NO, numbing or sedation at all. I even stopped the procedure and asked about something to numb the area. The response was, "the longer we have to wait and explain this to you, the less numb it will be". Even that procedure was minimal compared to the deep gum cleaning I had..... SOOOO, thanks for the info and I'll keep that in mind,RMC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
