Last year I tried to be cheap and got a regular crown at the regular in network dentist and it ruined like 6 months of my life in pain and infection, as well as, cost me another broken tooth in the process. I wrote about it here (e:paul,54524)
Then I found Wood Dental Associates
on Franklin in North in Buffalo and his expensive ($1200+) but awesome cerec tooth milling machine which measures you tooth space with 3d cameras and mills the tooth in the office out of this strong and chemically inert ceramic. I love the new fake tooth. It fits so well, is strong and feels just like a real tooth. To me it was totally worth the money and made me feel confident about my tooth and the dentist.So I had a couple other fillings done there because they don't use mercury unlike the in network dentists and its right across from my house. They were also expensive in the $600 range but I figured it was worth it not to get more mercury in my mouth. At that point, I signed up for a regular cleaning and thought I would go there as my regular dentist.
I figured how much can a cleaning cost. Today, I found out when I went in for my scheduled 6 month cleaning. When I sat down for the cleaning the hygenist said that they no longer do normal cleanings and that first this Florida Probe
machine would check my mouth for any issues. I thought it was some pre-cleaning process but once it was done, she told me instead of the normal cleaning I would need a $1099 3 visit special cleaning with the antibiotic called Arestin implanted because I had stage 4 periodontal disease. Reading the testimonials
is a mixed message. Who is this appealing to, the dentist or the patient.Our proportion of non-surgical perio revenue jumped 100% since 1999, when we implemented Florida Probe. The real value for the patient is that because he understands his problem earlier and better, he acts (prevents bone loss) earlier."
The overview page makes me even more uncomfortable
This part sounds good and reasonable
Improved Accuracy
The System’s constant-force, computerized probe allows measurements to be consistent between examiners who likely probe with different amounts of force (which could mean different readings for the same patient). Our probe’s precision is 0.2 mm., which also improves the accuracy of measurements and assists the clinician in determining the correct diagnosis and follow-up for the patient.
This part sounds beyond scammy.
Generate New Revenue for Your Practice
Did you know that just 1 more quadrant of scaling and root planning acceptance per day at $250, working a 4-day week, adds $50,000 per year to your bottom line? This is only the beginning: 3-month re-care, adjunctive therapies and diagnostic fees add to this hygiene-driven increase in production. This means an incredible return on investment opportunity. The typical practice will increase hygiene and perio production by $10,000 per month.
Now the weird part is that I was just in to their office in June and they didn't mention anything about gingivitis and then I was at the other dentist twice in the last three months for the geographic tongue and he and his team of student dentists didn't mention anything either. Now I get that maybe the machine is more sensitive and can detect stuff but I can't believe I went from not humanly noticeable to full blown $1099, you need to be on antibiotics, stage 4 periodontal disease. If the machine is really correct, are these dentists so clueless that they could not visually recognize this possibly severe tooth disease in the last 6 months.
My lame GHI dental insurance will only cover like $200 at his office. Although, they would cover the scaling in full at any in service dentist. After my bad experience with two in service dentists I don't know if I want to go back. I know why they cover it in full, its because those other dentists are willing to trade quality for quantity of patients. For example, GHI doesn't really pay them much more, those dentists are just willing to accept $35 as full payment for some procedures.
I want a dentist I trust in so bad. Even more so, I want to trust this dentist so bad. In fact, I trusted him so much more until I read the Florida Probe site. I guess I will get a second opinion. In the mean time I need to brush better. I think one issue is that I was using a medium instead of soft brush which was hurting my gums.
Two things that also bother me about this.
1. I flossed just before I left which could have irritated my gums a bit.
2. The measurement is really not done by the machine, if you watch the video, the hygienist really does makes the decision when to press the floor peddle which sets the depth.
Does anyone have a dentist they really know and trust?
Knowing me, I will probably just go there because it is convenient and immediate. The more I read about gum disease the scarier it is. Check out this crazy info on the NY times site
I am saving as PDF for future reference. ::READ PDF::Here is all my private tooth information for the world to judge me on.
I updated this with tons more info about the process.
Overly white teeth are creepy.