Keeping the Faith

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September 1, 2010 | 6:37 am

The Dentist vs. The Used Car Salesman

Posted by Ilana Angel

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I have a tooth ache.  It came out of nowhere and I thought I would pass out it was so painful.  I did not have a dentist as mine retired and I did not love his replacement. I went to a new doctor who was recommended by a friend.  I called, explained I was in pain, and they took me in right away.

The new dentist is charming and attractive.  He was comforting, and assured me it would all be fine and not to worry.  They took x-rays and determined that I needed a root canal.  Ouch. He explains it to me in a way that was rather condescending, but I was in such pain I did not care and agreed.

He did the root canal, placed a temporary filling, and said to wait a week for it to settle down and then come in for the crown.  After two days I was in more pain than before the root canal.  I went in, he took additional x-rays and determined he missed a canal and needed to go back in. 

He is joking and making light of the situation.  I’m annoyed, still in pain, and feeling like I need to find a new dentist quickly.  This guy is more of a used car salesman than a doctor. What was charming in the beginning, is now creepy.  He is going back in and I know I should not let him.

Now he’s done the root canal twice, sends me on my way telling me it will no longer hurt, and I can keep my appointment for Thursday to do the crown.  I woke up this morning with an insane toothache.  Whatever he is doing to my tooth is not working, and his attitude is bugging me.

He talks to me like I am a child.  He does not listen to what I am saying, makes stupid jokes, and is not taking me seriously.  I’ve still got a toothache and am supposed to have him finish the work Thursday with the crown.  Why would I put a crown on a tooth that still has issues?

I’m stuck between wanting him to finish, and not wanting him anywhere near me.  He went from a lovely man who took me in right away, to a sleazy guy who appears to be unable to do his job.  He may be in a white coat, but he is trying to sell me a used car and I’m not buying.

I know not all dentists are used car salesmen.  I’m just saying that this specific doctor, who is an expert in his field, has an obligation to those he is servicing to not be a douchelord.  I’m not a dentist, but I’m also not an idiot, so let’s be respectful of each other.

I would never go to a dentist to buy a car.  I would never go to a car salesman for a toothache.  Although I think the car guy might do a better job than the quack I went to see.  I want to yank the tooth out so it will stop hurting.  Instead I need to find a new dentist to fix what went wrong.

Would it be so bad to pull it out myself?  Could I make a missing tooth look cool?  Could it become fashionable to have a smile with a big hole in it?  Seriously people, it could be ho to have a built in straw rest.  It could become all the rage.  Who will join my on this fashion revolution?

A toothache is a powerful thing.  It allows you to believe whatever anyone tells you if there is a promise for relief at the end.  I’m heading off to work with a bottle of Advil and a mission to find a good dentist.  Will I make it through the day without pulling out my own tooth?  Keep the faith.

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Ahhhh!  A toothache is just THE WORST!!  I’m so sorry!  The last time I had a bad toothache it was my second molar and I did have him pull it.  Sorry that’s not an option for you.  I have an excellent dentist but unfortunately it would be quite a commute for you as I’m about 800 miles away.  Good luck and I hope you’re feeling better soon.

Comment by Kathy on 9/01/10 at 7:36 am

So sorry to read about your troubles. Unfortunately, friends aren’t always the best source for a dental referral. Next time, you should check out 1800DENTIST.com. We’ll match you with a great dentist who’s been pre-screened for quality. The best part is that our service is free to patients. Feel better.

Comment by Tom on 9/01/10 at 8:39 am

Make you check with your insurance. To make sure the new dentist is covered. I had the same thing happen to me. $3000 out of my pocket. This is terrible but I have had back teeth pulled. Because I am so afraid of the root canal. Be well soon!!

Comment by Dawn on 9/01/10 at 10:22 am

Dear Ilana!
    I am so sorry you are in so much pain. A toothache makes you feel like you just want to die or like you are thinking, just yank the freakin thing out.  I have a great dentist here in NYC and can’t imagine not knowing who to go to in an emergency. I would report this guy to the Dental Association and go somewhere else ASAP. If you owe him $ DO NOT PAY HIM!  He made things worse for you.  Its just amazing to me that he has a practice!  I hope you find relief soon, really soon!

Comment by irene on 9/01/10 at 10:24 am

yeah, be careful who you let work in your mouth.  Look at this website and especially the NBC video to find out what not to let a dentist do to you.  ALWAYS ask if they are using formaldehyde (in any form) in your root canal before even making the appointment.  You sure as h*** don’t want one of these guys in your mouth…unless you like playing a game of root canal roulette, which I don’t recommend.  Consequences are life altering.

Comment by saynono on 9/02/10 at 3:48 pm

I love my dentist, not only is he a very nice man, his staff is wonderful AND it is one of those dental offices that offer luxery treatment along with dental care….I get my hands dipped in paraffin wax when I am there, and they have massage chairs, HD tv, a coffee bar…I get to come home with clearn teeth, smooth, soft hands and a relaxed back!

Comment by tracy on 9/02/10 at 4:23 pm

It is actually a particular position, its always great understanding much situations, this post is good in regards of both cognition equally lucky equally selective information. Thanks for the situation.
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Comment by jhon on 9/03/10 at 11:24 am

ilana,
you got to let me know what you ended up doing?
i sent you well wishes but i wasn’t sure how you quite took them from me-‘smuch!’.
i hate pain! but i really hate pain killers, my sister calls them dumber pills—she says “she is already dumb, she doesn’t need to take pills to make her ‘most dumbest’...”
how did you get your problem solved?
a batman’s joker face mask, i.v. with straight shots of JD, or chewing on your own shoe leather while your shoe is still on your foot. please let me know you went the whole week sucking on your thumb while pulling your hair out by the fist full.
that might explain the balding man fashionation you have pointed out here lately!!
i’m just sayin’
(o.m.g.)
did you go tooth in or toothless?

Comment by zero milligrams (o.m.g.) on 9/13/10 at 9:02 am

Just like you say, a toothache is a powerful thing. it’s too bad you had a poor experience. Most dentists are genuine, and do the job right the first time.

Comment by Dr. Jeremy Abbott on 9/17/10 at 7:53 am

Thats too bad that you had so many problems. There are many ways to find great dentists online. Thishas an area about the doctor and why to choose the practice. It helps you get to know them better.

Comment by Chris on 4/08/11 at 4:19 pm

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