Thursday, January 14, 2016

Crown Me

I'll be going to the dentist tomorrow, Friday, and I AM NOT happy about it.

I've been seeing the same dentist since 2008, and his office is an hours drive from home, but I chose him because he advertises as being a dentist who provides 'gentle dental' care.  
I always saw the same tech that cleaned my teeth, for six or more years and I built a repoire with her so she knew exactly how gentle I needed her to be, and the dentist provided whatever my needs were to keep pain at bay.  I only had one cavity since seeing him.  

THEN
about a year or year and a half ago he suddenly let all of his employees go and without any announcement I had a new tech.... then another tech, and then another tech.  It's as if they were all part time employees and I never knew who would be cleaning my teeth when I plopped down into the dental chair.  It was unnerving to me and I would have to explain my fear and sensitivities and how careful I needed them to be at every six month cleaning appointment.

At my last appointment I began to choke uncontrollably when the tech used too much of the analgesic for the numbing of my gums.  She had used so much that some of it entered my throat which numbed it and my own saliva caused me to choke and cough.... so the appointment was ended abruptly and they made a second appointment time for me to come back a few days later to complete the cleaning. 
Now.... I don't know about you, but when a patient has driven an hour each way twice to have her teeth cleaned, you would think that the same girl that started the cleaning would finish the cleaning.
Nope.
When I returned to have the cleaning and polishing of my teeth done I once again had a new person.

Prior to her completing the appointment I mentioned to her that one of the crowns that the dentist had put in less than a year prior, seemed to be loose and I could feel it pull up and down when I ate.
She checked it, said that the seal had not broken and all was okay with it.

Today the crown came off.
*hoping the dentist is as nice as the building*

I refuse to make the drive, an hour each way, to have it re-attached, so today I called a dentist that is only five miles from home, hoping that he will also be gentle and that I can have all files transferred to him and proudly call him my new dentist.

I want a dentist with techs that will listen to me and not piss me off by causing me to choke.
AND
I want the same tech at each appointment.
We don't have dental insurance but instead pay cash for their services and for that I expect perfection in the dental chair.
Wish me luck!

10 comments :

  1. I go there and see Dr. Lavinder. I love her tech and she is fantastic. I hope whomever you are seeing is as good as she is. I think it is a good practice.

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  2. Since it was a 'short notice' appointment, they gave me to the newest dentist. If I don't care for him then I will ask for Dr. Lavinder. xo

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  3. Wow, what a nightmare! I have yet to find a person who likes going to the dentist and experiences like that will definitely make one more reluctant to go. I like the fella we have but hubs isn't sure...he has more dental issues (which are probably genetic). The dentist office is only about 10 minutes away. Hope this works out for you! xoxo

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  4. After all that mess id change dentists too!!!!!!! Dang i wouldve been furious!!! Good luck tomorrow and sure hope this one goes well!

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  5. I've been lucky. I have had the same dentist for 25 years. The girls change every four or five years. Good luck with your new dentist.

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  6. That is dreadful Diane . . .
    I hope the new dentist and tech are consistent and listen to what you have been through!
    I can adjust to changes but not so with my dentist and teeth . . .
    Let me know how the "new" works out . . .

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  7. That looks like our dentist. They are great and I always have the same hygienist.

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  8. I know exactly what you are talking about. Chose my dentist because he was so gentle, including each member of the staff. They all seemed to have moved on since my last visit, and the new hygienist was an absolute bully with her tools. I felt like I went ten rounds with Mike Tyson by the time she finally finished on me.

    Byron Kennedy @ A+ Family Dentistry

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  9. What an experience! I definitely feel you and your anxiety with dentists. Last year, I had my wisdom teeth pulled and it was the worst experience. Recovery was supposed to take just a couple of weeks, but it wound up taking over a month. If I were you, I would definitely be finding a new dentist that is consistent and treats you better.

    Milan Keeton @ Irvinetustin Dental Implants

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  10. The dentist office should be a place where you are not terrified of getting a tooth pulled or work done. My office is amazing, the entire staff goes out of their way to make you feel like you are a friend, and they utilize all the latest equipment to perform certain work in the least painful way. I wish all dentist offices were like the one I visit.

    Freddie Gray @ Ballantyne Dentistry

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