Saint... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[taoist]

...went to the dentist today and he says, "Man, you got good teeth...especially for a coffee drinker and a smoker." Tells me that I have 2 _____? cavities.... I can't remember the adjective he used, but it sounded small, possible, not a big deal, hidden...I want to say "thin enamel" - but he used some word??? Said it's nothing big, but needs to be taken care of.... I've only had one filling in my life...as a kid. WTF is he talking about?

This is a new dentist that's never seen me before, but a client offered a free cleaning and free whitening kit, so I went.... I couldn't see anything on the x-rays. He pokes around for 5 minutes and says the above. I go out to say my thanks and goodbyes...because it was free and obviously they're hoping that I continue to use them.... The lady at the desk gives me a "plan" which says what the DDS recommends...and tells me I need to make an appointment before my next 6-mo cleaning...at $120 per filling!?!?! Is that the going rate?1?! (...esp. for a "cavity" that doesn't even show up on an x-ray?

A little free advice would be appreciated.... Thanks, bro. :SIB



EDIT: p.s ...making the molds for those whitening kits sucks!!! I gagged about a dozen times!!! :com: :mj02:

 

[The Sponge]

Run from this prick. Get a second opinion and be careful. These guys are like car mechanics. They love to do unnecessary work. Brush, floss, and use mouthwash and you probably don't even need a dentist. These guys will find all kinds of unnecessary work. Especially if you have a good dental plan.

 

[SixFive]

be careful. These guys are like car mechanics and veteranarians. They love to do unnecessary work.

Spongy, I couldn't agree more, and I added one more profession to your list.

taoist, 120 is way too much for a cavity filling. Try 50 or 60 bucks for the tooth colored fillings. I have a hot little number of a dentist here in BG if you want to make the hour trip. :SIB you would love her.

 

[Morris]

I went to a dentist like that once. Kicker was he was at the Mall. :scared

 

[The Sponge]

Spongy, I couldn't agree more, and I added one more profession to your list.

taoist, 120 is way too much for a cavity filling. Try 50 or 60 bucks for the tooth colored fillings. I have a hot little number of a dentist here in BG if you want to make the hour trip. :SIB you would love her.

As sad as this sounds there are a few doctors out there that like to open up ur chest when there are other options available. I have a really close friend who works at one of the leading Heart and lung hospitals in the country. My uncle had gone to another hospital and the doctor wanted to operate on him as soon as possible and said his chances of living were about 30 percent. My uncle was in shambles and ready to go. I said woooooo lets talk to my buddy. My buddy takes him to his hospital and my uncle (who does have a heart condition) was told that nothing needs to be done and they will just monitor him yearly. Its been about 15 years now and my uncle is living it up in Vegas. To some of these doctors its just work and get paid.
Kinda like when you go to court against your old lady (divorice)and you are about to boil over, get hosed, and then see your lawyer talking with the opposition laughing on the side. This never happen to me but i have seen it. Its just a job to them but its a pivot point in your life.

 

[The Sponge]

I went to a dentist like that once. Kicker was he was at the Mall. :scared

Morris was he in one of those booth's in the center of the mall? If yes did he also pierce ears?:nono:

 

[Morris]

No Dickhead true story :shrug: Just like Doc in the Box. Went and had a root canal what a butcher. Why do you have to be such a know it all and ass at the same time. :mj07:

 

[The Sponge]

No Dickhead true story :shrug: Just like Doc in the Box. Went and had a root canal what a butcher. Why do you have to be such a know it all and ass at the same time. :mj07:

Did he slice or weigh meat?

 

[homedog]

Brush, floss, and use mouthwash and you probably don't even need a dentist.

I disagree but will defer to the experts. Brush, floss and mouthwash won't do what a good dentist can to clean your teeth. It is a good plan but there needs to be periodic dentist cleaning and x-rays to keep your teeth in good health in my opinion.

 

[The Sponge]

I disagree but will defer to the experts. Brush, floss and mouthwash won't do what a good dentist can to clean your teeth. It is a good plan but there needs to be periodic dentist cleaning and x-rays to keep your teeth in good health in my opinion.

homedog maybe im blessed in this area because every time i went to a dentist i ended up having problems. I have a cap from a broken tooth that catches every piece of food. I had a tooth pulled years ago. About five years later this new dentist wanted to put a crown in. File booth teeth down and put a three way cap. Said my teeth were shifting. So he wants to give me three more caps. This is way back in my mouth and i don't see shifting back then or the ten years since.
I have a buddy that says the same thing as you and his breath smells like a dead skunk that rolled out the ass of another skunk. Not saying yours does but i think it may be genetics. Im lucky in this area, i just can't see for shit.

 

[Simply In The Red]

Run from this prick. Get a second opinion and be careful. These guys are like car mechanics. They love to do unnecessary work.

Spoken like a man that doesn't know how to pick a good mechanic.

 

[The Sponge]

Spoken like a man that doesn't know how to pick a good mechanic.

Is there such a thing?:shrug:

 

[saint]

...went to the dentist today and he says, "Man, you got good teeth...especially for a coffee drinker and a smoker." Tells me that I have 2 _____? cavities.... I can't remember the adjective he used, but it sounded small, possible, not a big deal, hidden...I want to say "thin enamel" - but he used some word??? Said it's nothing big, but needs to be taken care of.... I've only had one filling in my life...as a kid. WTF is he talking about?

This is a new dentist that's never seen me before, but a client offered a free cleaning and free whitening kit, so I went.... I couldn't see anything on the x-rays. He pokes around for 5 minutes and says the above. I go out to say my thanks and goodbyes...because it was free and obviously they're hoping that I continue to use them.... The lady at the desk gives me a "plan" which says what the DDS recommends...and tells me I need to make an appointment before my next 6-mo cleaning...at $120 per filling!?!?! Is that the going rate?1?! (...esp. for a "cavity" that doesn't even show up on an x-ray?

A little free advice would be appreciated.... Thanks, bro. :SIB



EDIT: p.s ...making the molds for those whitening kits sucks!!! I gagged about a dozen times!!! :com: :mj02:

Sorry it took me a little while to respond, I'm on call and just had to sedate a 4 year old with a jaw fracture and reduce/splint it :sadwave:

Your dentist most likely said incipient cavities. As far as whether or not they need to be fixed, it's hard for me to tell without xrays in hand and an exam. Typically, on patients with incipient decay (it basically means the cavity is early and still confined to the outer, stronger layer of enamel) who have very few cavities in their mouth in their past, we will just watch them and monitor them. Many times, with good hygiene at home and daily flossing those incipient lesions can stay the same size through the years. If they happen to get bigger and spread, then we take care of them at that point.


120$ per is standard. the 60-70 quoted for a tooth colored filling is extremely low.

People crack me up about dental fees. Taoist I'm not saying you but just a blanket statement for some people here and in general.

How much do you pay for your cell phone monthly? 50 bucks? 75 bucks? How much do you wager on sports weekly? 50 bucks? 1 grand?

These are your freaking teeth. People freak out about 125 bucks to fill a tooth they will likely have for the next 40+ years.

How about people who get their oil changed at 35bucks a pop 4 times a year. Somehow maintaining your car is important but not your teeth?

Sure, I'm biased. But I find it amazing when people complain about dental fees when I look at the $ they spend on luxuries.

3500 for a tv huh? That could take care of your dental care for the next 10 years. What's more important? Being able to eat or watch that game tonight.

Okay, down off my soapbox

Taoist if you can get a copy of your xrays and scan them I can give you an opinion for free, off the record, and with a disclaimer of course. Haskell is always on the prowl.

 

[saint]

Run from this prick. Get a second opinion and be careful. These guys are like car mechanics. They love to do unnecessary work. Brush, floss, and use mouthwash and you probably don't even need a dentist. These guys will find all kinds of unnecessary work. Especially if you have a good dental plan.

The guy says he has cavities and all of a sudden he is a prick, huh? I guess you expect every person in our country to be clean at every exam at the dds :mj07:

You're entitled to your opinion. Sure, there are dentists out there that take advantage of their patients. Just as much as there are unethical teachers, presidents, neighbors, pastors, etc etc. To pigeon-hole all dentists under that heading just shows your ignorance.

Want to know a big difference between your mechanic and me? I spent 10 more years in school and am 200k in debt to get my education. I take care of people, he fixes cars. I see patients like you a lot....unhappy, bitter people who are filled with hatred. It's a great feeling to be able to tell them I'm not willing to treat them because of their attitude.

See the other thread for my comparisons to our fees and what most people pay for luxuries. Have fun watching that MNF game you have bet a nickel and are watching on the 50" plasma, while eating your mashed potatoes with your dentures.

If I told you my likely fees as a pediatric dentist, you would probably have a heart attack. They are what they are because I spent 6 years post college educating myself and my work and time with my patients is worth that. If my patients didn't think so, then they wouldn't come back time and time again and tell all of their friends to come see me.

 

[vinnie]

I love my dentist

got a cavity that's about a year old I just go for the gas

as soon a she's ready to drill

I set my pager off sorry doc got to run

have to reschedule by the way how about some vicodin for the pain

until I get back

 

[taoist]

Thanks for the reply, Saint. You're right, that's exactly the word he used...and thanks for the advice. I wasn't complaining about the fees.... I just had not had a filling done in years and even then it wasn't me who paid for it, so I didn't know if this guy was overcharging me. I agree with you about the importance of taking good care of your teeth because they're the only ones that I've got and I want to keep them for a long time.

 

[Franky Wright]

Sorry it took me a little while to respond, I'm on call and just had to sedate a 4 year old with a jaw fracture and reduce/splint it :sadwave:

Your dentist most likely said incipient cavities. As far as whether or not they need to be fixed, it's hard for me to tell without xrays in hand and an exam. Typically, on patients with incipient decay (it basically means the cavity is early and still confined to the outer, stronger layer of enamel) who have very few cavities in their mouth in their past, we will just watch them and monitor them. Many times, with good hygiene at home and daily flossing those incipient lesions can stay the same size through the years. If they happen to get bigger and spread, then we take care of them at that point.


120$ per is standard. the 60-70 quoted for a tooth colored filling is extremely low.

People crack me up about dental fees. Taoist I'm not saying you but just a blanket statement for some people here and in general.

How much do you pay for your cell phone monthly? 50 bucks? 75 bucks? How much do you wager on sports weekly? 50 bucks? 1 grand?

These are your freaking teeth. People freak out about 125 bucks to fill a tooth they will likely have for the next 40+ years.

How about people who get their oil changed at 35bucks a pop 4 times a year. Somehow maintaining your car is important but not your teeth?

Sure, I'm biased. But I find it amazing when people complain about dental fees when I look at the $ they spend on luxuries.

3500 for a tv huh? That could take care of your dental care for the next 10 years. What's more important? Being able to eat or watch that game tonight.

Okay, down off my soapbox

Taoist if you can get a copy of your xrays and scan them I can give you an opinion for free, off the record, and with a disclaimer of course. Haskell is always on the prowl.

Saint,
When you lose a MNF parlay, do you take it out on your Tuesday clients, I kinda wonder about my guy on Tuesdays?:scared :SIB

:wall:

 

[Franky Wright]

Saint,
J/K above:mj07:

Seriously, what is wrong with some of the people here:scared You have one set, thats it, $120 doesnt seem at all bad for that?:SIB
Totally agree with Saint here, hell, if you are gambling you certainly have money to go to the dentist and have your mouth looked after. I have a bunch of crowns, and although I feel like $900-1200 seems like alot, I certainly would not want the alternatives.....
Saint, I think you could show some mouths that people have let go, one look at that will have people here running to their dentist.

Now mechanics, thats another story:sadwave:

Franky

 

[homedog]

I have a buddy that says the same thing as you and his breath smells like a dead skunk that rolled out the ass of another skunk. Not saying yours does but i think it may be genetics. Im lucky in this area, i just can't see for shit.

:mj07:

 

[The Sponge]

The guy says he has cavities and all of a sudden he is a prick, huh? I guess you expect every person in our country to be clean at every exam at the dds :mj07:

You're entitled to your opinion. Sure, there are dentists out there that take advantage of their patients. Just as much as there are unethical teachers, presidents, neighbors, pastors, etc etc. To pigeon-hole all dentists under that heading just shows your ignorance.

Want to know a big difference between your mechanic and me? I spent 10 more years in school and am 200k in debt to get my education. I take care of people, he fixes cars. I see patients like you a lot....unhappy, bitter people who are filled with hatred. It's a great feeling to be able to tell them I'm not willing to treat them because of their attitude.

See the other thread for my comparisons to our fees and what most people pay for luxuries. Have fun watching that MNF game you have bet a nickel and are watching on the 50" plasma, while eating your mashed potatoes with your dentures.

If I told you my likely fees as a pediatric dentist, you would probably have a heart attack. They are what they are because I spent 6 years post college educating myself and my work and time with my patients is worth that. If my patients didn't think so, then they wouldn't come back time and time again and tell all of their friends to come see me.

i never complained about the cost. Its the zest to do other things that are not called for. Im not gonna use the word prick anymore. It seems to incite anger. Sorry.