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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Happyflower on May 13, 2008, at 21:13:00
I used to have this dentist when I first got married who was great but a irritating receptionist, so when we moved across town, I changed to Advent.
Well when I went in they took x-rays with all their fancy equipment and found I had over 25 cavities, or so they said. I was shocked because I had my first cavity only 6 years ago and when I switched dentists, there was only about 8 months between visits. I know I brush my teeth too hard, but I believed them, because they are the experts.
Well I got a few filled, only enough that covered my dental insurance for the year. (2,ooo worth of over 10,ooo total) Well I had a horrible experience with this dentist, it took them 3 hours to do the filling right next to each other. Then the filling fell right out when I was in the chair and they had to redo it. It was my very last molar on the top. My jaw hurt so bad, I had tears in my eyes and the lady acted mad at me because it fell out. I have a high threshold for pain, but this was excruciating. So I never wanted to go back.Well when I went to my old dentist, he took xrays, and I only had one cavity. He told me that my other cavities that they filled were very deep. But the thing is that I didn't feel them at all, in fact the one was so small the first lady missed it.
I think I got screwed because first of all I don't have that many cavities, and 2nd they were tiny cavities on the surface but they cut away right down to the nerve. The filling fell out too so my original dentist redid it. But he told me that it is such a deep hole close to the nerve that he didn't think the filling will be enough. He said if it still is sensitive, I will probably have to have a root canal or I can get it pulled. He even put this extra stuff in before the filling to help with the sensitivity.
So did my 19 cavities all disappear, or does it sound like a rip off. One seems interesting to me is that this place is very high tech, and huge, but they are still doing a lot of advertising on TV and the radio, and it seems if they were that good, they wouldn't need to do it.Well I am glad to be back to my old fashioned dentist who does everything himself including the cleanings, and uses an assistant, even if I have to travel all across the city.
Posted by Kath on May 14, 2008, at 9:31:53
In reply to I feel so stupid for believing that dentist, posted by Happyflower on May 13, 2008, at 21:13:00
THAT is horrendous.
Sounds like it would be a good idea to document it in easy-to-read point form.....
I even wonder about showing your documentation, which would include info from your (unnamed) other dentist.
If I had the nerve, (no pun intended!!) I might go to 'butcher' dentist & show documentation (or send a letter with it) & say that I expect to be reimbursed - whatever wording....and I don't know how I'd word this - or if I'd say it yet, but to indicate that Plan B was to go to the newspaper with the documentation!!
I am so sorry this happened .... it's awful.
luv Kath
PS - Why would you be stupid? I think just about anyone would believe a hi-tech dentist!!!!!!
You're not stupid & you did nothing wrong & you did nothing stupid. (you)
Posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2008, at 12:33:36
In reply to Re: I feel so stupid for believing that dentist » Happyflower, posted by Kath on May 14, 2008, at 9:31:53
I've found any docs that advertise have to pay for the advertising hence get the money from the patients. Sorry Happyflower. Glad you got the old Dentist back can he help you with the other one in any way like send him a letter maybe he might refund your money? lov Phillipa
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 14, 2008, at 14:06:45
In reply to I feel so stupid for believing that dentist, posted by Happyflower on May 13, 2008, at 21:13:00
Some dentist count EACH surface as a different cavity. I think each tooth could have at least 5? Doesn't justify shoddy work, but I thought I would add this.
Posted by ClearSkies on May 14, 2008, at 16:25:24
In reply to Re: I feel so stupid for believing that dentist » Happyflower, posted by MidnightBlue on May 14, 2008, at 14:06:45
> Some dentist count EACH surface as a different cavity. I think each tooth could have at least 5? Doesn't justify shoddy work, but I thought I would add this.
Yes, that's done sometimes (and as a scare tactic to patients).
Posted by Dinah on May 14, 2008, at 17:19:47
In reply to I feel so stupid for believing that dentist, posted by Happyflower on May 13, 2008, at 21:13:00
I had the same experience when I was a child. Most of my fillings came from this dentist I had after mine retired or left or something, and before we found the dentist I had until last year when *he* retired.
After the second appointment when he told me I had several cavities, my mother got suspicious. I hardly ever had cavities. So we went for a second opinion, and surprise surprise I had one depression that could bear watching and no cavities at all.
It happens. If a new dentist has much different results than an old one, it might be a good idea to get a second opinion. Some dentists seem to feel it's better to fill anything even mildly suspicious. ;) It might be better to find a dentist who more closely matches your own philosophy.
This is the end of the thread.
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