Root Canal Tips

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  • CanDB
    Football Immortal
    • Mar 2008
    • 45187

    #16
    Originally posted by Lumiere View Post
    The legendary Stanley Hotel! My wife and I spent a memorable night in that haunted abode! We arrived a few days prior to Halloween and found the hotel bathed in an eerie red light. We had heard all sorts of ghost stories from those that have stayed and were excited to have our own poltergeist encounter - REDRUM! REDRUM!

    Without any confirmed ghost sightings, we retired for the night back to our room on the fourth floor, only to find a group of people with EMF detectors outside our door! We sort of chuckled, and settled in for the night. When my wife woke up the next morning, a diamond stud earring was missing from her left ear (it was there when she went to sleep). It wasn't in the bed, anywhere on the floor, or anywhere in our room. It just...vanished during the night! Of course, the only logical explanation - she must have been burgled by a ghost!

    But back to the toothy subject...thank goodness for a dental plan - some of those prices will scare you to death!
    Greg.....that is one heck of a chilling story!!! Lucky we only stayed for lunch. I can't remember if the flavour went "missing".

    We have an excellent, old hotel downtown that has a room that is supposedly haunted. I don't buy that nonsense.......but I won't book it!!:nono:

    As for the dental plan. I am a bit suspicious with them after what happened yesterday. The root canal specialist does his job, but does not finalize the filling part of the tooth. You go back to your other dentist for that (unless he is one and the same person). So I went back, with the crown that needed permanent cementing. The dentist quickly filled the gap in the tooth, and cemented the crown back on....which took about 10 minutes, and they gave me an additional bill of about $235. A real filling alone would take at least 2 times longer.

    So I questioned the assistant, and the other assistant told her to punch in a different code. I am waiting for the reimbursement part, which comes afterward. But I wonder now if the assistants put in more expensive type of codes, does anyone notice.....other than patients like me? Hmmmmmm
    Last edited by CanDB; 02-10-2017, 12:45 PM.

    Comment

    • AugustInHouston
      Practice Squad
      • Aug 2015
      • 51

      #17
      Originally posted by CanDB View Post
      Greg.....that is one heck of a chilling story!!! Lucky we only stayed for lunch. I can't remember if the flavour went "missing".

      We have an excellent, old hotel downtown that has a room that is supposedly haunted. I don't buy that nonsense.......but I won't book it!!:nono:

      As for the dental plan. I am a bit suspicious with them after what happened yesterday. The root canal specialist does his job, but does not finalize the filling part of the tooth. You go back to your other dentist for that (unless he is one and the same person). So I went back, with the crown that needed permanent cementing. The dentist quickly filled the gap in the tooth, and cemented the crown back on....which took about 10 minutes, and they gave me an additional bill of about $235. A real filling alone would take at least 2 times longer.

      So I questioned the assistant, and the other assistant told her to punch in a different code. I am waiting for the reimbursement part, which comes afterward. But I wonder now if the assistants put in more expensive type of codes, does anyone notice.....other than patients like me? Hmmmmmm
      You didn't get cheated. That's what happens. From the tip of the tooth (down in your jaw) to the gum line (about) is what the endodontist filled. And yes, with a gummy rubbery material. We use heat to 'push' it into the irregularities of the canal space. Then he puts a cotton pellet and a very porous temporary filling material over that. That's where the endodontist's job ends. He sends you back to your general dentist that takes the temp filling and cotton pellet out. It is fast and easy because no anesthetic is needed and the temp material is easy to remove because dental drill bits rip right through it and we can tell when all is out and we are down to hard tooth structure. We then put a filling to strengthen the canal space. Think of it a bit like a straw. We can put a thimble (crown) on a straw and you can chew on that hoping that it does not crack or break, or you can put a hard material (dental composite) in that air space and put the thimble on it and chew. Which is ALOT stronger? The one with the HARD filling in it, not the soft porous material the endondontist uses. If the treatment is for some reason, unsuccessful - WE DO THAT SO IF THE TOOTH HURTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND INTO MANY DAYS AFTER WE CAN GET TO WERE WE WERE VERY EASILY AND RE-TREAT THE TOOTH. If the treatment is successful, the temp material is not useful.

      You are fine Your tooth just needed to go through all those steps to be 'healed'. Sometimes it can be avoided Sometimes it can't Teeth are their own little pain centers. A tooth right next to it might act entirely different Most all my crowns had to be treated with root canals. I forget, it's a 40 to 60 percent chance that root canal therapy is indicated on a tooth prepared for a crown.

      Comment

      • Lumiere
        All-Time Great
        • Jan 2011
        • 2368

        #18
        Originally posted by CanDB View Post
        Greg.....that is one heck of a chilling story!!! Lucky we only stayed for lunch. I can't remember if the flavour went "missing".

        We have an excellent, old hotel downtown that has a room that is supposedly haunted. I don't buy that nonsense.......but I won't book it!!:nono:

        As for the dental plan. I am a bit suspicious with them after what happened yesterday. The root canal specialist does his job, but does not finalize the filling part of the tooth. You go back to your other dentist for that (unless he is one and the same person). So I went back, with the crown that needed permanent cementing. The dentist quickly filled the gap in the tooth, and cemented the crown back on....which took about 10 minutes, and they gave me an additional bill of about $235. A real filling alone would take at least 2 times longer.

        So I questioned the assistant, and the other assistant told her to punch in a different code. I am waiting for the reimbursement part, which comes afterward. But I wonder now if the assistants put in more expensive type of codes, does anyone notice.....other than patients like me? Hmmmmmm
        Those old supposedly haunted places are fun. When my wife and I are out in your neck of the woods, we’ll have to stay in that haunted room, and go on a Slimer hunt! :thumb:

        I’m not sure if the wrong coding is “intentional…” though, it certainly does happen. Here in the states, we have a False Claims Act for “fraudulent” medical billing claims (I'm sure Canada has something similar). Of course, the term “fraudulent” is ripe for interpretation (and probably pursuant to stare decisis on a case by case basis), and may or may not favor your interests.

        Always good to know the codes and corresponding medical service fees. That sounds like a good smart phone thing. :thumb:
        To infinity...and beyond.

        Comment

        • FL BRONCO
          Traveling Mod
          • Mar 2010
          • 13704

          #19
          I find thinking about the root canal very unnerving
          My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter

          Comment

          • CanDB
            Football Immortal
            • Mar 2008
            • 45187

            #20
            Originally posted by FL BRONCO View Post
            I find thinking about the root canal very unnerving
            Hey Greg......we got a third in FL B!!!!!

            But before we officially give him keys to the club, I think I need to get to the root of his background. He does seem to have a lot of nerve, and as a mod, he appears to have a real solid bite. In fact, I would not be surprised if he chewed some of us out if necessary. But I like the dude, cuz he has a nice smiley.....


            :thumb:

            Comment

            • Lumiere
              All-Time Great
              • Jan 2011
              • 2368

              #21
              Originally posted by CanDB View Post
              Hey Greg......we got a third in FL B!!!!!

              But before we officially give him keys to the club, I think I need to get to the root of his background. He does seem to have a lot of nerve, and as a mod, he appears to have a real solid bite. In fact, I would not be surprised if he chewed some of us out if necessary. But I like the dude, cuz he has a nice smiley.....


              :thumb:
              Hahaha!!! FL hit that one out of the park!

              You guys are too much – a caustic wit that caries this thread. I’m burning my bridge and going home.
              To infinity...and beyond.

              Comment

              • CanDB
                Football Immortal
                • Mar 2008
                • 45187

                #22
                Originally posted by Lumiere View Post
                Hahaha!!! FL hit that one out of the park!

                You guys are too much – a caustic wit that caries this thread. I’m burning my bridge and going home.
                Well you sure capped that off nicely. But after you finished I felt like there was a huge cavity in our discussion. It makes me want to drill deeper and find out what you really mean, but lets let the chips fall where they may. Besides I think we should freeze further discussion and grind this out later.

                Comment

                • Lumiere
                  All-Time Great
                  • Jan 2011
                  • 2368

                  #23
                  Originally posted by CanDB View Post
                  Well you sure capped that off nicely. But after you finished I felt like there was a huge cavity in our discussion. It makes me want to drill deeper and find out what you really mean, but lets let the chips fall where they may. Besides I think we should freeze further discussion and grind this out later.
                  Grind this out later! That's making me reach for my coffee.

                  Nothing beets coffee-talk about teeth.
                  To infinity...and beyond.

                  Comment

                  • dizzolve
                    Orange Rush
                    • Mar 2009
                    • 15734

                    #24
                    Ren's Toothache

                    The beatings will continue until morale improves....

                    Comment

                    • darth-hideous
                      Bibo Ergo Sum!
                      • Sep 2007
                      • 4264

                      #25
                      I once read about a guy who shot his aching tooth out with a .22, it was in the enquirer and I was 12 so there is that.
                      I really like Cheese.

                      Comment

                      • CanDB
                        Football Immortal
                        • Mar 2008
                        • 45187

                        #26
                        Originally posted by darth-hideous View Post
                        I once read about a guy who shot his aching tooth out with a .22, it was in the enquirer and I was 12 so there is that.
                        I am going to assume he was a real straight shooter......

                        Comment

                        • Sophia23
                          RIP #88
                          • Sep 2012
                          • 7061

                          #27
                          Originally posted by Lumiere View Post
                          The legendary Stanley Hotel! My wife and I spent a memorable night in that haunted abode! We arrived a few days prior to Halloween and found the hotel bathed in an eerie red light. We had heard all sorts of ghost stories from those that have stayed and were excited to have our own poltergeist encounter - REDRUM! REDRUM!

                          Without any confirmed ghost sightings, we retired for the night back to our room on the fourth floor, only to find a group of people with EMF detectors outside our door! We sort of chuckled, and settled in for the night. When my wife woke up the next morning, a diamond stud earring was missing from her left ear (it was there when she went to sleep). It wasn't in the bed, anywhere on the floor, or anywhere in our room. It just...vanished during the night! Of course, the only logical explanation - she must have been burgled by a ghost!

                          But back to the toothy subject...thank goodness for a dental plan - some of those prices will scare you to death!
                          That's for sure. I have an appointment for gum grafting tomorrow .... a little concerned since I don't like pain and I'm unsure what to expect. They told me it's 155 for each tooth with my insurance, when I asked what it was without, they said around 1900 Then they proceeded to tell me my insurance was expired. .... lol ... got that straitened out, still kinda concerned. I've never had a root canal though .... avoid that pain so far.
                          sigpic
                          Adopted Bronco - 2018/19 - Derek Wolfe
                          Adopted Bronco - 2019/20 - Shelby Harris
                          Adopted Bronco - 2020/21 - Courtland Sutton
                          Adopted Bronco - 2021/22 - Shelby Harris

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                          • CanDB
                            Football Immortal
                            • Mar 2008
                            • 45187

                            #28
                            Originally posted by AugustInHouston View Post
                            You didn't get cheated. That's what happens. From the tip of the tooth (down in your jaw) to the gum line (about) is what the endodontist filled. And yes, with a gummy rubbery material. We use heat to 'push' it into the irregularities of the canal space. Then he puts a cotton pellet and a very porous temporary filling material over that. That's where the endodontist's job ends. He sends you back to your general dentist that takes the temp filling and cotton pellet out. It is fast and easy because no anesthetic is needed and the temp material is easy to remove because dental drill bits rip right through it and we can tell when all is out and we are down to hard tooth structure. We then put a filling to strengthen the canal space. Think of it a bit like a straw. We can put a thimble (crown) on a straw and you can chew on that hoping that it does not crack or break, or you can put a hard material (dental composite) in that air space and put the thimble on it and chew. Which is ALOT stronger? The one with the HARD filling in it, not the soft porous material the endondontist uses. If the treatment is for some reason, unsuccessful - WE DO THAT SO IF THE TOOTH HURTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND INTO MANY DAYS AFTER WE CAN GET TO WERE WE WERE VERY EASILY AND RE-TREAT THE TOOTH. If the treatment is successful, the temp material is not useful.

                            You are fine Your tooth just needed to go through all those steps to be 'healed'. Sometimes it can be avoided Sometimes it can't Teeth are their own little pain centers. A tooth right next to it might act entirely different Most all my crowns had to be treated with root canals. I forget, it's a 40 to 60 percent chance that root canal therapy is indicated on a tooth prepared for a crown.
                            Fair enough, but the assistant did put in the wrong code, because until I questioned her, I was having to pay 100% for that easy filling my dentist did, but after challenging her, another assistant told her to put in another code, and I ended up paying for half instead of full. So, I respect your dental expertise, but one mistake was made. But thanks, your explanation was educational!:thumb:

                            Comment

                            • Lumiere
                              All-Time Great
                              • Jan 2011
                              • 2368

                              #29
                              Originally posted by Sophia23 View Post
                              That's for sure. I have an appointment for gum grafting tomorrow .... a little concerned since I don't like pain and I'm unsure what to expect. They told me it's 155 for each tooth with my insurance, when I asked what it was without, they said around 1900 Then they proceeded to tell me my insurance was expired. .... lol ... got that straitened out, still kinda concerned. I've never had a root canal though .... avoid that pain so far.
                              $1,900 per tooth!!!! Holy cow! It almost makes one yearn for Washington style wooden chompers. Glad you're covered!

                              Hope the procedure goes well. :thumb:
                              To infinity...and beyond.

                              Comment

                              • Sophia23
                                RIP #88
                                • Sep 2012
                                • 7061

                                #30
                                Originally posted by Lumiere View Post
                                $1,900 per tooth!!!! Holy cow! It almost makes one yearn for Washington style wooden chompers. Glad you're covered!

                                Hope the procedure goes well. :thumb:
                                lol - I would let it go if I wasn't covered ... until it couldn't be let go any longer at least. Thanks, Lumiere.
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                                Adopted Bronco - 2018/19 - Derek Wolfe
                                Adopted Bronco - 2019/20 - Shelby Harris
                                Adopted Bronco - 2020/21 - Courtland Sutton
                                Adopted Bronco - 2021/22 - Shelby Harris

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