Great dentist, lousy news

Hi, family,

Well, some of you have been following my Adventures with the Dentists series, soon to be syndicated by one of the cable channels.

Ok, not really. I went for my second opinion about the botched root canal to a local endodontist. He was great. He actually READ the detailed, 2 page history I gave him of the past couple of months before coming in to talk to me. I know this because he started out mentioning some information I had at the end of the letter. His technician took 1 x-ray, then came back and said he wanted another view (all this before I even met him). When he came in he was cordial, respectful, thoughtful....in short, all the things we hope ALL our doctors would be.

But the news was not good. After look around my tooth closely he tried to gently break the news that he didn't have much hope that the tooth could be saved. He said the gum on one side wasn't sealing up against the tooth as it should be. I told him my dentist (the one who I am going to sick the vampire squad on) said after the root canal that he had to do "something" with my gum, work on my gum or something along those lines. Well, I had major gum surgery in 1994, and since then see a periodontist every year - and I just saw my periodontist in mid-June for my annual visit. That problem was NOT there. It had to have been created, or at least exacerbated, by the crown/root canal process. He said possibly another root canal could be tried, but he didn't think that was the problem. But that the infection was coming from where that gum was separated from the tooth, and bacteria getting down between the roots where the root canal was done. He showed me on the X-ray. And I said to him so I'm not crazy? I KNEW there was an infection. And he said no, I'm not. And I was supposed to have the permanent filling done today (I saw the "good guy" dentist for the 2nd opinion on Monday), and I had told the "bad" dentist I wasn't going to have the permanent filling put in until the problem was solved. He told me that it wasn't a problem, that we could drill into the new filling again if we had to!!! (of course charging me again)

All of this details were written down and given to this endodontist and he even THANKED me for doing that, said it was very helpful. Then he said he thought I should go see my perondontist, and asked if I wanted him to call the periodontist and I said yes, please. He also said if I wanted he would call the "bad" dentist (I gotta come up with a name for this guy!) and tell him he didn't think the permanent filling should be put in. This was great cuz MR. BAD DENTIST HATES late cancellations and it would probably have come today at the last minute! The one good thing is that now TWO specialists in town know about what has gone on.

My periondontist's office called me today, and the receptionist said she heard what had happened to me (I was nearly in tears as I was telling her I was told I might lose the tooth) and she said if it was her she would be furious with this dentist. I told her I had no intention of paying him the $300 I owed him and she said she wouldn't either. It sounds like it was a topic of discussion in the office, which in this instance is fine with me. The more people that know about this guy, the better. The more his reputation gets affected.

Now I see my periodontist on Thursday and I'm trying to prepare myself for bad news. I suspect he's going to say he might be able to do some gum surgery but wouldn't be able to guarantee the tooth would be saved, and that I wouldn't get repeat infections. Considering the Barrett's esophagus issue, infections in my mouth are not something I can tolerate. So I may have to lose the tooth. And implants and bridges and all those things are EXPENSIVE.

I am thinking of consulting an attorney if I'm going to lose the tooth. BUT - and this is the big thing - I am so far behind now on IMPORTANT things that it's about the last thing I need on my plate.

So for now, that's it. I'll let you all know what happens Thursday. I have to go in tomorrow and pick up the X-rays from the good doc to take to my appointment Thursday morning. Probably will stop at the Humane Society later. I bought treats at the grocery store tonight!

We really have to start up a vampire squad!

Thanks for letting me vent!

PaLady
Wow - I just saw how long this is! Sorry for the rant!

Darn, PAlady, you sure do have your plate full.  Sorry to hear about the tooth but maybe like White Beard said maybe it's one you can live without and not have to take chances with having long term infections to fight.  Keep us posted this is getting very good, like a soap opera without the commercials.

PALady,
I'll join in your Vampire squad and help you hunt this dentist down!
If it was me and at this point I'd probably have them pull the tooth and try another antibotic to see if that'll help
the infection in your gum line, can they give you an injected antibotic in your gum line? to help the infection?
just a thought or something to ask about before trying gum surgery again,
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers
hugz and lots of the soft ones...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((PALady)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
hugz and so very sorry your going thru this, I lost a tooth 18 years ago and still haven't replaced it, implants are expensive, too expensive
for anyone...they have a dental teaching school in Houston, where you can go get in line and wait for the dentist at little to no costs, but the
line is usually so long, maybe you could get your implant at a dental teaching school, just a thought...huh.............

 

 

   Dear PA Lady,

 

 

     Good morning! *huggs* I hope you are doing a little bit better. I am glad you got in with the Endodontist. And better was able to finally give some answers! I too have had major gum grafts and I didnt mind the "sun burn" feeling of the procedure sites, but gosh... a few times I poked the incision site where they took new tissues and boy id like to jump out the chair!  In any case, I hope you are able to settle things without having to take a legal route. Would be alot to deal with    Youve already got alot on your plate right now

 

*huggs*

   dani

PaLady, I am glad you went to the endodontist. He sounds like he was caring and concerned-the way a "good" dentist should be. I am so sorry this is all going on. But you know what? You are one smart cookie. And you knew something wasn't feeling right. I guess you'll learn more about what to do about this situation tomorrow. Then atleast you'll know what your options are and what steps need to be taken. And you are right, one step at a time.

I do think you need to make a formal complaint about the bad dentist. He sounds like he needs a good chewing out!!! And remember your vampire squad is ready whenever you say the word. It would be so funny if we all got together, teeth and all, all decked out and were sitting in his waiting room!!! I bet he'd think about treating people right the next time. Seriously now, I am really sorry. None of these things should be happening to you.

Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you. Please keep us posted. You know we care and are very interested in what happens with this.
Anice

Anice - thanks so much! You know I was googling places to buy fangs (no kidding - I am really losing it now! LOL) and you can get them in different colors!!! I think then we could add your nursing supervisor to our list, after fatherjohn's Quackologist. (and now we have this guy who's going to write an article about our psychological stuff!!! )

Speaking of which, Franky5 if you read these threads you need to look at the role of support and humor as coping skills for us. They're both critical. That's why this site is great.

White Beard - darn! That means no more Moonlight! I liked the guy better when he could leap tall buildings with a single bound - like superman without the cape!

I'll know more tomorrow. Today I picked up the X-rays, and a copy of the chart note from the endodontist which really is very brief and just descriptive.

And then I went to see the cats and dogs! Several of my "regulars" who are usually in the cat lounge were "out sick" so they weren't available, but there were plenty of others. Lots of kitties!

Thanks again!

PaLady

Thanks, SKeye, although I don't get to see the good doc again (unless I need another root canal!).

I hope the news tomorrow is good, too, but I guess I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst so I don't dissolve into tears until I'm back in the car!

How are you doing?

PaLady

 

Oh no Skeye! *warm huggs*

I was going to start a new thread because was happened to me today was so touching, but the title "Great Dentist, Lousy News" still applies.

I went to my periodontist today. I brought him a copy of the letter I wrote the endodontist and the latest X-rays. After looking at my tooth and everything else, he said I've lost too much bone to save the tooth. Also, the infection is likely deep between the roots, and it's extremely difficult to get at there. So he started talking about an implant. And I said implants are expensive, there's no way I could afford it.

He was sitting next to me and he put his hand on my arm (nothing inappropriate, his hygienist was also in the room) and said he would do the tooth extraction at NO COST.

AND he would do the implant, which normally costs about $2k itself, for $350! I was floored. I started to cry, of course, and the hygienist handed me a kleenex. At first I was speechless before I could thank him. He said I have been a good patient for years (which is true), so he is willing to do this for me, but did ask that I not mention it to my "other" dentist. He did say I would have to go to a general dentist for a crown (in essence a false tooth to sit on top of the implant plug - I don't know about these things) because he doesn't do that part. Said that would probably cost me about $1,000. That was about what my cousin was getting ready to help me with, if she could pay it over time. But I guess this will all take the better part of a year (I bet Dani knows all about it). First he does the extraction (I have to grieve losing a tooth, but I'll get over it - especially with what will eventually happen). His first appointment isn't until mid-September. Then he puts something in (ok, he mentioned cow bone???? This is like some weird sort of fusion process! to help me grow bone. Then we wait for about 6 months, and if I've grown enough bone (75% of people do) he will then put the implant in. Then I guess that has to stay in for about 3 months before the final crown can be placed. So this gives my cousin and I time to try to sell a few things, like some old silver, neither one of us are using and no one else in the famiy wants.

I am just amazed tonight. Such an act of kindness and compassion, which helps to heal what that other idiot did to me. He suggested I write a letter, but not be too angry, to my former dentist and tell him that I was unhappy with how things turned out (that's putting it mildly). I think he's planning to talk to him, and he kind of implied maybe I should see if mr. bad guy will try to make things right in some way. I plan to ask for a refund. We'll see how far I get. But I don't want to think about that idiot tonight.

Tonight I feel touched deeply by an act of generosity that to me went above and beyond. Interestingly, my dentist today asked me how I was dealing with my Barrett's esophagus and I told him about my meds, and diet adjustments and such and he said that I was more disciplined that he is. That made me ask if he had Barrett's and he said yes, but he and his doctor were working to reverse it. Now I don't think you can reverse Barrett's esophagus (from what I've read) but you can work to reverse the precancerous cell changes, which kind of says he has the same thing I do. So he understood.

I just wanted to share this beautiful story with all of you. It was the sweetest and nicest gesture I've had happen to me, aside from the kindness shown here, in a long, long time.

Hugs to you all,

PaLady

Ok, Dani! I will definitely trust you on that!!! Thanks for the info. and the support!

Hugs,

PaLady

Palady,

You post brought tears to my eyes! Of course I'm sorry that you have to lose the tooth, but I am just awe struck by the kindness of your doctor. I wish they were all that way! He's a keeper for sure. People should go into medicine to help other people above all else, obviously, he did! I'm so glad that your doc is watching out for you!

hugs,
Skeye

PALady

I am not surprised at your periodontist and his generous and caring offer! I know you only from this forum! Like every one else here, I am,    like and I am sure everyone else here at this forum  is,   extremely fond of you,  and would anything to help you in any way we could! But this dentist actually knows you! As in, in person, and has known you for quite awhile. Well all I can say is, knowing this,  why wouldn't he want to do this for you????

 I am over joyed and happy for you PALady, I hope this all works out for you! I am sorry that you had to go through this pain and money and trouble for nothing, but such is the way of life! But at least this had a silver lining to it all!

I do wish you all the best!

White Beard

PaLady-
No matter what has happened to you I always see that great attitude and disposition come through somehow. You always manage to be there for someone even during your own trying times. That is simply wonderful. Actually I see that on this forum so very often. What a great bunch of people. I just wanted to tell everyone "Thank You" for being there for those who thought no one would listen or care.
Oh, and I would be part of that "Vampire Squad" any day! Well, with me might have to be more of a "Werewolf" member! You just say the word my friend!
Take care,
Bill