root canal? - Page 3

Amanda · 11-25-2006, 01:32 PM

The dentist is in network (and pretty ate up all my dental benefits in 06 with many many xrays), but unfortunately the endodontist was out of network. I should have checked (lesson learned) but I was in a lot of pain and they made the appt the same day I saw my dentist. I will never again be cheap with my medical/dental benefits just to save a few dollars.

Amanda · 01-23-2007, 11:04 PM

Update!
I had to wait until 2007 for my new "enhanced" benefits. I did my research and thought that 100% of the crown was covered, well it is 50%. Today I went to get the crown. They took a mold of the tooth, drilled it down, and put a temporary crown on it. I thought it felt loose so they worked on it for a while until it was on there pretty good. The dentist said that I shouldn't be upset/worried if the crown falls off before my appointment 2/6 for the actual crown.

Guess what?! The dang temp crown just fell out! I won't gross you out (more) with the details. I am pissed about this! Like an idiot I went to the same stupid dentist just because he had all my records, it was just "easier", etc. Grrrrrr. Now I have this drilled down tooth in my mouth without any protection. I hate going to the dentist.
To top it off it cost me $650 today (I already paid $945 for the root canal from November).

By the way, they offered me a porcelain crown or gold crown (same price). I was told gold is stronger and because the tooth is the last one in back it won't be seen. I went with gold but now I think I might change to the natural looking porcelain (if I can). Any advice?
Amanda

Kristie · 01-23-2007, 11:07 PM

switch it to porcelain!! you want your teeth to look like teeth, not teef

...I've had my porcelain crown for 2 years now and no problemos! (knock on wood)

you've only had the order in there for a day.. they should be able to change it!! esp if your permanent appt isn't for another 2 weeks.

unbelieveable that it already fell out, i'd be pissed too and wanting at least half that $650 back for having to come in the NEXT day for repair.... I'd complain, big time!

oh, and if they won't change your gold for porcelain, tell them to cancel the order and you'll find a new dentist - that'll get their attention but do that after they fix the temp!

gna · 01-23-2007, 11:15 PM

I understand the "temp" in temporary, but my last two temps have fallen out...and I wasn't even chewing on that side. Dentists!!!

Amanda · 01-23-2007, 11:17 PM

The funny thing is that the dentist said that if the temp crown falls out that it is no big deal and that I should not call in. He said to "just be careful"!

At first I didn't think the color of the crown mattered since it is waaaay back there so you can't see it unless my mouth is wide open. You're right though... I don't need bling in my mouth. I'm switching to porcelain and I'm calling them first thing tomorrow!
Amanda

gna · 01-23-2007, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanda

The funny thing is that the dentist said that if the temp crown falls out that it is no big deal and that I should not call in. He said to "just be careful"!

Your doc told you it was no big deal if the temp fell out? Then why give them to us at all (probably for $650!) Oh and I'll be careful alright, I'll be careful not to run my dentist over if I ever see him walking down the street.

Good call on the porcelain crown...no need for bling unless it's a nice ring/necklace/earrings etc!

Kristie · 01-23-2007, 11:28 PM

see, i disagree with his assessmdent of "just be careful".. the reason to put a temp over the tooth is to keep out future bacteria and everytime you eat, if food gets logged in there, it'll create bacteria....that can end up serious if it gets inflamed or infected (could mean a gum cleaning or something icky like that in the future)....

it sounds to me like you need to start calling new dentists tomorrow!

I didn't have any problems with my temp crown for hte few weeks i had to wear it and my dentist never said "if it falls out....". in fact, when i asked her what type of cement they were using, she said it was the same type they use to put on temp braces (3 months or less)... it did take some time to get all the cement off but it was worth it to not have the temp fall off.

Amanda · 01-23-2007, 11:51 PM

I know I should have gone to a new dentist. He said the only reason to have the temporary is to ensure my teeth don't shift too much. Greeeat, now I have shifting teeth that will make me look like a jack-o-lantern.
I'm moving anyway so I'll look for somebody new as soon as I get settled in NJ or PA.

Kristie · 01-24-2007, 12:17 AM

ok, so who is the guy so i make sure not to book an apt with him (am also looking for a new dentist)?

roz · 01-24-2007, 08:03 PM

Amanda, if your insurance is with Aetna, you can rate your providers. If so, be sure to alert everyone! And when you get to PA, be sure to look at the ratings before you decide on a doctor!

11-25-2006, 01:32 PM	#21 (permalink)
Amanda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PHL suburbs Posts: 2,192 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: root canal? The dentist is in network (and pretty ate up all my dental benefits in 06 with many many xrays), but unfortunately the endodontist was out of network. I should have checked (lesson learned) but I was in a lot of pain and they made the appt the same day I saw my dentist. I will never again be cheap with my medical/dental benefits just to save a few dollars.

01-23-2007, 11:04 PM	#22 (permalink)
Amanda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PHL suburbs Posts: 2,192 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: root canal? Update! I had to wait until 2007 for my new "enhanced" benefits. I did my research and thought that 100% of the crown was covered, well it is 50%. Today I went to get the crown. They took a mold of the tooth, drilled it down, and put a temporary crown on it. I thought it felt loose so they worked on it for a while until it was on there pretty good. The dentist said that I shouldn't be upset/worried if the crown falls off before my appointment 2/6 for the actual crown. Guess what?! The dang temp crown just fell out! I won't gross you out (more) with the details. I am pissed about this! Like an idiot I went to the same stupid dentist just because he had all my records, it was just "easier", etc. Grrrrrr. Now I have this drilled down tooth in my mouth without any protection. I hate going to the dentist. To top it off it cost me $650 today (I already paid $945 for the root canal from November). By the way, they offered me a porcelain crown or gold crown (same price). I was told gold is stronger and because the tooth is the last one in back it won't be seen. I went with gold but now I think I might change to the natural looking porcelain (if I can). Any advice? Amanda

01-23-2007, 11:07 PM	#23 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,727 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Re: root canal? switch it to porcelain!! you want your teeth to look like teeth, not teef ...I've had my porcelain crown for 2 years now and no problemos! (knock on wood) you've only had the order in there for a day.. they should be able to change it!! esp if your permanent appt isn't for another 2 weeks. unbelieveable that it already fell out, i'd be pissed too and wanting at least half that $650 back for having to come in the NEXT day for repair.... I'd complain, big time! oh, and if they won't change your gold for porcelain, tell them to cancel the order and you'll find a new dentist - that'll get their attention but do that after they fix the temp! __________________ www.jetcareers.com

01-23-2007, 11:15 PM	#24 (permalink)
gna Jetgirls Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 101 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: root canal? I understand the "temp" in temporary, but my last two temps have fallen out...and I wasn't even chewing on that side. Dentists!!!

01-23-2007, 11:17 PM	#25 (permalink)
Amanda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PHL suburbs Posts: 2,192 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: root canal? The funny thing is that the dentist said that if the temp crown falls out that it is no big deal and that I should not call in. He said to "just be careful"! At first I didn't think the color of the crown mattered since it is waaaay back there so you can't see it unless my mouth is wide open. You're right though... I don't need bling in my mouth. I'm switching to porcelain and I'm calling them first thing tomorrow! Amanda

01-23-2007, 11:28 PM	#27 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,727 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Re: root canal? see, i disagree with his assessmdent of "just be careful".. the reason to put a temp over the tooth is to keep out future bacteria and everytime you eat, if food gets logged in there, it'll create bacteria....that can end up serious if it gets inflamed or infected (could mean a gum cleaning or something icky like that in the future).... it sounds to me like you need to start calling new dentists tomorrow! I didn't have any problems with my temp crown for hte few weeks i had to wear it and my dentist never said "if it falls out....". in fact, when i asked her what type of cement they were using, she said it was the same type they use to put on temp braces (3 months or less)... it did take some time to get all the cement off but it was worth it to not have the temp fall off. __________________ www.jetcareers.com

01-23-2007, 11:51 PM	#28 (permalink)
Amanda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PHL suburbs Posts: 2,192 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: root canal? I know I should have gone to a new dentist. He said the only reason to have the temporary is to ensure my teeth don't shift too much. Greeeat, now I have shifting teeth that will make me look like a jack-o-lantern. I'm moving anyway so I'll look for somebody new as soon as I get settled in NJ or PA.

01-24-2007, 12:17 AM	#29 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,727 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Re: root canal? ok, so who is the guy so i make sure not to book an apt with him (am also looking for a new dentist)? __________________ www.jetcareers.com

01-24-2007, 08:03 PM	#30 (permalink)
roz Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philly Posts: 2,311 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: root canal? Amanda, if your insurance is with Aetna, you can rate your providers. If so, be sure to alert everyone! And when you get to PA, be sure to look at the ratings before you decide on a doctor!

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