Oo-ooh! Dentist!

Just read the fine print carefully. They can change interest rates on you.

If this is the same dentist who filled your tooth without removing all of the cavity, I'd change dentists.

Oh, no. That was a different dentist. They supposedly took my dental discount plan, then made excuses, and after the procedure told me they would cut me a reimbursement check for the difference. Well, they never did, and they were expensive to boot. $450 for a filling! The place I go to now is only 3 blocks from where I live, they take my plan, and they seem nice.

And the dentist is pretty cute, too.

I'd be pressing that first office for my reimbursement! How long ago was it? If I didn't get satisfaction, then I'd enlist some help...such as your local newspaper or tv station's consumer reporter, if there is one. Of course, the most effective thing might be to complain to your state's professional regulatory agency. If they were paid by your dental plan, they legally owe you any overpayment you made. If I were you, I'd become a thorn in their side until I received payment.

I agree with Biv! That first dentist is a crook. Get your money by threatening to turn them in! Then turn them in. Just document checks, bills, etc first!

I'm lucky to have an honest dentist. He won't do unnecessary work!

I decided to take the day before Labor Day off, and then I thought about it and called the dentist to see if I could move my appointment up. Root canal is for Friday the 1st.

At least I will have three more days to rest up, but I just couldn't stand the pain anymore.

I'm so glad to hear you're getting it taken care of. Good luck!

Good luck from me too!

Tooth pain is so all-consuming that it just seems to be who you are and what you do while it is going on. I hope you get your life back soon!

Update WH?

Yes, I've been hoping to hear some good news from you!

Well, I got the root canal last Friday. I thought it would start to feel better, but it still hurts. And I can't take codeine during the day because I'll fall face forward into my keyboard. I still have to go back to get the crown fitted, and then again to get the crown put on.

Basically it has to wait until I save up more money. Teeth are expensive!

At least the cavity is gone, so it won't be eating away at my tooth anymore.

I had a temporary crown for two years, then when it wore out, I got another one. I just didn't have the money in those days to pay for a permanent crown.

I'm sorry it still hurts. It doesn't seem like it should. Maybe you are just more sensitive to pain. I hope you get well and never have to go thru this again!

Sorry, but I'm beginning to have doubts about your dentist. It shouldn't be hurting now.

That's what I think. I've had 3 root canals and none of them hurt after the first visit. The abscess is what hurt. Is he sure you don't have infection, or he didn't break thru the root with too long of a file?

The pain gradually went away. It pretty much feels fine now. It did really hurt for the first couple of days, though.

This tooth has been bad for a long time. A piece chipped off of it a couple years ago. I couldn't afford to go to the dentist then. Last fall, in November, I went to a dentist and spent almost $500 to have it filled. Then when it really started hurting a couple months ago, I went to a new dentist and found out that the last dentist hadn't gotten all of the cavity. The cavity had invaded the root, and I had an infection. That's why I needed the root canal.

The last root canal I had was because the tooth had broken off when I was hit by a truck. The driver's insurance maxed out, and they just put a temporary crown in. I've had it for about 8-9 years. I'm going to have to replace that with a permanent crown at some point, too.

I'm glad. Since I've always beed scared of the dentist, I sympathize with those who have a lot of pain!

Once I found an excellent dentist, I've never been afraid again. That's what it takes to get rid of that fear.

Me too! I'm not afraid at all!

I'm lucky in that I've never had a bad experience with a dentist. So I never developed a phobia.

You mean not removing all the decay wasn't a bad experience??? And having them lie about reimbursing you wasn't a bad experience? LOL Sorry...I know what you meant, WH, but it just struck me as a funny thing to say. I'd put those things in my "bad experience file" for sure...as painful lessons.

Hm, maybe I should have said that I've never had a bad experience AT a dentist's. The dentist I went to last year was a dishonest idiot, but the appointment itself went okay.

Have you done anything yet to try to get that crook to give your overpayment back? If nothing else, I'd report him to the local dental society or whatever exists in your area. That's downright theft, and you work hard for your money; it's not intended as a gift to dishonest people.