Frustrating dental experience

Hi everyone,

I had a really frustrating experience at the endodontists's office
today. I had two root cnals done thre months ago, and they have both
continued to hurt as well as be very sensitive. The general dentist who
did the procedure felt I should see an endodontist, and so I sqw one
today. This guy felt I needed an apicoectomy, which is an incision of
the nerve roots at the tip, but he refused to give me a straight answer
as to why I needed that done. When I explained that I was reluctant
becasue he wasn't giving me a straight diagnosis, he replied that he
had, but what he said was "there is *probably* some kind of
inflammatory process at the root tip, and the best way to deal with
that is to make an incision and remove the tip." This was anything but
definite in my mind, and since there are other things that can casue
pain, like cracked teeth, I felt that should be ruled out but he was
evasive about this as well.

My understanding is that endodontists use a microscope, as opposed to
an x-ray, to rule-out cracked teeth as small cracks may not be visible
on x-ray, and I was told by the receptionist beforehand that the reason
the exam is so expensive ($350.00) compared to a general dentist is
that they use a microscope. She then told me after the exam the only
time the doctor uses a microscope is during surgery, and he will be
able to rule out cracked teeth at that time. Of course, if the teeth
are cracked, they may not be salvageable and so I would like to know
that before having a surgery that will then be useless. When I again
expressed my concerns with him, he said "well, if you would prefer to
let your fears dictate your actions for you..." at which point I got a
little pissed and said that this has nothing to do with fear, but about
asking questions and getting straight answers so I can make informed
choices. He then said, "but you said you were afraid" and when I denied
this, he replied "You said: I am afraid that..." and I pointed out that
this was just a figure of speech like "I am worried" or "I am
concerned" and means nothing. He then said, "well that's still fear.
It' okay to be afraid. I would be," at which point I decided I didn't
want to deal with this clown any further and let it go.

My problem is I now owe this joker $350.00 for wasting my time (oh, and
did I mention he kept me waiting in the chair for a half hour while he
had a loud political conversation on the phone apparently about
terrorists where he said "if you want to wait for them to come chop
your head off...") and he dares to accuse me of letting my fears
dictate my actions.

At this point, I would prefer not to pay as a matter of principle, even
though I can't really say he was actually abusive so much as obnoxious.
If a doctor is abusive, I make it a point not to pay and have nothing
further to do with him, but the real issue here is his evasiveness
about my questioning. My feeling and the feeling of my original dentist
is that I probably do need an apicoectomy, but I am reluctant to do
that until I am certain and other possible causes have been ruled out.
That is definitely not the case here.

Because the matter is borderline, I am not sure how to proceed and
whether or not I should write and explain my reasons for refusing to
pay and not getting the treatment from him, or I should first give him
a chance to explain himself before refusing to pay. I am totally
dissatisfied with the way the whole thing went down and my inability to
get straight answers. Any opinions would be appreciated.

--Sean C

--
http://paynehertz.blogspot.com/
Payne Hertz is a chronic pain advocacy site whose mission is to educate the
public about the abuse and maltreatment of people with chronic pain, and to
advocate for civilized and humane treatment of chronic pain.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Frustrating dental experience
    ... I had two root cnals done thre months ago, ... to rule-out cracked teeth as small cracks may not be visible ... your head off...") and he dares to accuse me of letting my fears ... At this point, I would prefer not to pay as a matter of principle, even ...
    (alt.support.chronic-pain)
  • Re: Frustrating dental experience
    ... Be Sure to Check Out the PAYNE HERTZ blog, for people with chronic pain, by ... to rule-out cracked teeth as small cracks may not be visible ... your head off...") and he dares to accuse me of letting my fears ... At this point, I would prefer not to pay as a matter of principle, even ...
    (alt.support.chronic-pain)
  • Re: Root Canal On #31 - What Am I In For?
    ... Assuming your insurance pays at least 50% of the charges for the root ... My dental insurance will pay $450 more this year total for any dental ... the crowns on #8 and #9. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Root Canal On #31 - What Am I In For?
    ... Assuming your insurance pays at least 50% of the charges for the root ... My dental insurance will pay $450 more this year total for any dental ... perfectly good tooth just because of a cavity. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Root Canal On #31 - What Am I In For?
    ... Assuming your insurance pays at least 50% of the charges for the root ... My dental insurance will pay $450 more this year total for any dental ... perfectly good tooth just because of a cavity. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)