More Adventures in Adulthood, Good Idea/Bad Idea
I didn't go to dentist in Korea, because I have this deep seated wanted to be able to converse with my dentist (or doctor or hair cutter or, well, you get the picture) in a language we mutually speak. As this was over a year, one of the major To Do things when I got home was to get myself quickly into a dentist appointment.
Having not yet gotten employed since returning, I skimmed the yellow pages for one of the best exam/cleaning/x-rays deals I could find for said first appointment home, thinking to save my check book pre-insurance-having. The place in question was Advance Smile Care. They had a friendly staff and interesting toys, but I was left shaken by my appointment. I had a holy terror of a childhood where it came to dentists and dental needs, but the last about eight years have been perfect.
I came out of their office holding a paper saying I had six cavities, a need for a full set of sealants, and serious periodontal work for upwards of around $2,500 in dental work all together. I was in massive shock. I couldn't remember the last time, that wasn't my wisdom teeth, anyone needed to see me again.
I called my mom and talked to her. Then saw my step dad for his physical therapy and talked to him about, because he is a long time perio patient. They both encouraged me to seek a second opinion especially in the light of the total. Which I did, very specifically with the family dentist since I would trust their opinion of my teeth. They only have the records of my teeth for pretty much my entire life.
Well, that appointment happened about two hours ago. Wherein my dentist looked over my diagnosis and my mouth and spent a good deal of it not-quite-scoffing.
Apparently I have no periodontal fives or fours, and he'd never send anyone with my mouth for deep cleaning and scaling, he didn't find any cavities and my sealants they put on years ago are still fine. The only thing he could find at all to tell me needed serious attention was that two of my childhood fillings needed replacing within the next year. Which I did in the same appointment.
Presently, half of my mouth is numb, and mostly I'm very grateful I didn't trust the first place.
Having not yet gotten employed since returning, I skimmed the yellow pages for one of the best exam/cleaning/x-rays deals I could find for said first appointment home, thinking to save my check book pre-insurance-having. The place in question was Advance Smile Care. They had a friendly staff and interesting toys, but I was left shaken by my appointment. I had a holy terror of a childhood where it came to dentists and dental needs, but the last about eight years have been perfect.
I came out of their office holding a paper saying I had six cavities, a need for a full set of sealants, and serious periodontal work for upwards of around $2,500 in dental work all together. I was in massive shock. I couldn't remember the last time, that wasn't my wisdom teeth, anyone needed to see me again.
I called my mom and talked to her. Then saw my step dad for his physical therapy and talked to him about, because he is a long time perio patient. They both encouraged me to seek a second opinion especially in the light of the total. Which I did, very specifically with the family dentist since I would trust their opinion of my teeth. They only have the records of my teeth for pretty much my entire life.
Well, that appointment happened about two hours ago. Wherein my dentist looked over my diagnosis and my mouth and spent a good deal of it not-quite-scoffing.
Apparently I have no periodontal fives or fours, and he'd never send anyone with my mouth for deep cleaning and scaling, he didn't find any cavities and my sealants they put on years ago are still fine. The only thing he could find at all to tell me needed serious attention was that two of my childhood fillings needed replacing within the next year. Which I did in the same appointment.
Presently, half of my mouth is numb, and mostly I'm very grateful I didn't trust the first place.