4-19-10 Monday (Supervision Required)

I’ve had pain from 2 teeth all week. It only happens with cold foods, yet not cold liquids. Eating a Deviled Egg or Jello is “painful”. Another weird thing is that once a day, I’ll get a throbbing pain and have to take Advil. During my fillings visit, the dentist told me to call if any pain existed after a week. I waited a little longer – crossing my fingers that I just needed another day, and then the weekend came. The doctor was able to see me today. He adjusted the bite of the fillings and we’re hoping that solves it. I got the “you might need root canal” warning. On 2 teeth? As I’ve said before, the dental insurance is spent. Anything else is out of pocket.

The dentist is leaving town Wednesday so as a precaution, he wrote me a prescription for Lortab, a pain killer, and set me up with a referral to an Endodontist. I’ve had 2 or 3 root canals in the past and many times a regular dentist doesn’t do root canal on every tooth depending on the difficulty.

I’m happy my dentist was concerned enough to “get me taken care of” prior to his vacation. What bothers me is that over $450 went to him via my insurance for 2 tooth fillings. If I still have a problem, then I have to pay out of pocket and yet he still earns money for a procedure that wasn’t adequate. Why is it OK for those in the medical profession to try different things but keep billing. It’s never a recheck, it’s never questioned. Patients and/or insurance companies just keep paying until it’s “right”. Yet, in the automotive industry, I can’t get away with that shit. How about you come to me with the engine hesitating. I diagnose and tell you it needs spark plugs. You pay. It’s doesn’t fix it. I tell you the next step is to clean the injectors. You pay, it’s doesn’t fix it. Hmmmmm. Next step, I tell you it needs a computer. Would you just keep paying or somewhere along the line you might be resistant and maybe a little irate? Can some defend doctors OR tell me that I’m right?

I spent a couple of hours ironing today.

2010-04-19 001Above: Before!

2010-04-19 002 Above: 20something shirts later.

2010-04-19 004 Above: Dasher supervised.

Off to the gym.

DIH - Curved Road Last year Ann & Morgan arrived at the Grand Canyon lodge, just blocks away from the campground. Check out the spectacular photos I got.


17 comments:

  1. Dasher seems to be saying "I really have no clue why you spent time doing such a strange thing!"

    Ugh on the tooth thing. I think I'm having an issue with some molars but it comes and goes so I haven't done anything about it- we have our check ups coming soon so I might just wait until then.

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  2. Garret, that's why your dentist has a 'practice' and you are the 'patient'. So, be patient while he practices on your teeth!

    MarkandCraiginPalmSprings

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  3. I'm gonna go kick him in the teeth.

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  4. Ironing? Isn't that what the dry cleaner does?

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  5. @Joanie: Yeah, if I had a job.

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  6. I had the same issue w/ my teeth - got a filling and it wasn't good enough, so i had to get a crown. My dentist only charged me the difference. However, because you might have to go to a different doctor i'll doubt you have the same story. UGH.

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  7. One stop shopping at Bob The Dentist's office. He'll pull, fill, scrape, and give you a root canal just cuz he can. Oh, and his drugs are marvy. Hope he gives me some someday. Percocets though, Loratabs do nothing for me.

    Bet he's looking pretty good to ya, huh? With a family discount, you might even be able to afford his services.

    Hope your sensitivity has cleared up.

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