Tuesday, February 19, 2008

New Dentist

I went to a new dentist today. I had gone in the past to a couple of young guys who were priced very high. I had to use "Care Credit" to pay my bill with them and I hated going.

What prompted me to change, other than my dislike of the present dentists, was a flyer I received in the mail advertising "free whitening for life". My teeth are slightly discolored due to medicine I took when I was a child. They're not bad - they're light beige as opposed to stark white - and they don't look any different than they did from my sixth grade pictures - and I am now 52. I just am tired of beige teeth - and if it is free, as they say, then what the heck.

I had this flyer for a while, and last night I chipped a filling on one of my back top right molars, so I made an appointment and got right in today. I was nervous since this was a whole new office, but it seemed quite nice, modern and very clean.

The Dr. is a graduate of the University of Louisiana, and probably in his 60's. At first, his age made me nervous. I didn't like the know-it-all cockiness of the young guys I went to before, but I also didn't want someone who was past his prime either. However, he was personable and discussed what he wanted to do about the chip. He said it was a small chip and didn't take much drilling to fill. He said that filling was the best option, since I didn't need a crown - the tooth could be fixed, in other words. I'm afraid the young guys would have told me I needed a crown and before I could get the crown, I'd need surgery to lower my gums, etc. etc. etc.

So, the dentist drilled a bit and refilled the chipped area - so far no problem. He numbed me right away. In the past, I've had dentists have problems numbing me - not this one. I also have had weird feelings like my heart racing once the shot of novacaine is given, but that didn't happen this time either.

It all went so smoothly. I also asked about a small chip off the bottom of one of my two center front teeth. He said he though he could actually fill that also - he didn't think filing or a fake tooth was necessary since it's such a small chip. He did say that the filling might not last as long as other fillings - but we'll see. I'm also scheduled for a cleaning next time and for molds to be made of my teeth in preparation for the whitening stuff I'll get to take home and use.

Oh - and I got X-Rays first, of course - I forgot to mention that. So, all in all, it seemed like a good office and he seemed like a good dentist.

The bill? $58.50, of which $25.00 was my deductible for the year, now met. Can't beat that.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Suze, Tell the dentist you want the novocaine without the epinephrine (spelling??). That's what makes your heart race and gives a feeling of anxiety. The other does not last as long, but I have been requesting and using that for years and it is much better. C

Susan Humeston said...

Anonymous - I wonder if that's what he used, since I had no heart rushing episode today. He also knew there would be minimal drilling, so perhaps that's what he did. Thanks for the tip - I never knew there were types of novocaine.

Anonymous said...

Must have been dentist day. I went as well. I would rather do just about anything than go the dentirst. Glad you had a good experience. I've been meaning to ask, how's your dad?

Susan Humeston said...

Cathy - my dad came home from the nursing home in December in time for Christmas. He has been much better - almost his old self. My sister came down a couple of weeks ago and we visited my parents - he could stand for a little on his own and walk, however, he uses a walker and just got a motorized chair to zip around in. He is so much better it is astounding. He is funny again (he has always been a great jokester) and able to come to the table and eat, converse - it's a miracle. It just goes to show that you can't jump to conclusions - a person's not out until he is out, and the Lord's timing is unknown until it has occurred. Thanks for asking!