Anyone a dentist?

[LS21]

got a Q

 

[johnjohn320]

You could have started by asking the question.

 

[LS21]

ive been researching into the question

i hate the non-transparency for a layman into the medical field

went to new dentist office just because it was close to home, got a really sketch feeling overall, but they recommended periodontal scaling and root planning. now in retrospect i have 50% confidence that i need it. but anyway they are quoting 1400$ for 4 quadrant...which i think is high-end price. plus, if its the hygienist instead of the dentist doing the procedure, ill be even more skeptical since i dont trust this staff that much

 

[LS21]

if i go to a second dentist for 2nd-opinion, or just to get a more professional staff, then i would have to re-take exam and x-rays because this is required by law? maybe i could have the current office fwd the xrays to the new office? im weighing the options...


QUESTION: on the itemized list, theyve got periodontal scaling/root planning for UL, LL, UR, LR, which are the 4 quadrants. theyve also got 4 items for oral irrigation. isnt this a redundant process?
is local anesthesia needed for 3-4mm pockets scaling?
is Arestin needed for 3-4mm pockets?

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: LS21
is local anesthesia needed for 3-4mm pockets scaling?
is Arestin needed for 3-4mm pockets?

1-3mm is normal. 4 is getting bad. 5 is significant. 7, it is about to fall out. If you had 1-2 5's, a couple of 4's and the rest 2-3... get a new dentist. Call your insurance company and they can advise you in many cases what to do and may help you out (you are saving them potentially wasted money).

/not a dentist

 

[moshquerade]

4 mm pockets REALLY don't need root planing and scaling imho.

you might need a full mouth debridement, but if you don't have any pockets bigger than 4mm i would bet you do not need 4 quads of RPS.

seek a second opinion, and ask them to request your records/xrays from the first Dentist's office.

 

[Fritzo]

You know what time the dentist shows up?


TOOTH-HURTY!!!




BBAAAAAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
You know what time the dentist shows up?


TOOTH-HURTY!!!




BBAAAAAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A man walks into the dentist's office and after the dentist examines him, he says, "that tooth has to come out. I'm going to give you a shot of Novocain and I'll be back in a few minutes."

The man grabs the dentist's arm, "no way. I hate needles I'm not having any shot!"

So the dentist says, "okay, we'll have to go with the gas."

The man replies, "absolutely not. It makes me very sick for a couple of days. I'm not having gas."

So the dentist steps out and comes back with a glass of water, "here," he says. "Take this pill."

The man asks "What is it?"

The doc replies, "Viagra."

The man looks surprised, "will that kill the pain?" he asks.

"No," replies the dentist, "but it will give you something to hang on to while I pull your tooth!"

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: gsellis

1-3mm is normal. 4 is getting bad. 5 is significant. 7, it is about to fall out. If you had 1-2 5's, a couple of 4's and the rest 2-3... get a new dentist. Call your insurance company and they can advise you in many cases what to do and may help you out (you are saving them potentially wasted money).

/not a dentist

well damn, i gathered as much reading from the web. i think i *average* a 3.5 with a single 5 in there.

not only do they want quad scaling, "beacuse the gum pocket will be slightly exposed, should also follow up with oral irrigation"... add to local anesthesia it climbs above 500$

had called insurance this morning to ask some related questions, and it seems they hire some kid to sit there and read off the coverage list (same i could download from their website)... so thats not help there

guess i should see a second doc, but because this morning was the check up, if i see a second doc now it'll be 100% out-of-pocket so another dime to drop there