Tooth problems continue…

Make payment arrangements with the specialist. Any reputable place will let you walk in with say $50 (that’s 20%) and pay the rest off as you can. I’m so sorry you keep having all these problems.

Definitely, arrange to make payments to the specialist. You have to get that tooth out! If the root’s extra long, they may have to go to a bit of extra work to get that last bit out. If that’s the case, whether it’s deadened or not, you definitely don’t want to be awake for it.

One last thought… even if you pay it off only $10 per month, as long as you make a regular monthly payment that’s more than the interest, they can’t pursue other collection actions. So agree to make a payment arrangement, and even if you can’t pay a lot each month, pay at least $10 each month.

OK, I think I need to input my two-cents worth of advice…

Owlwatcher, from the beginning my thought and prayers have been with you. I may not post to every thread, but I’ve read about what you have been going through and I’ve been there. Keep your chin up girl. You’re still in my thoughts everyday.

Now for my advice… find a specialist and fast. I have VERY sensitive teeth, too. Every dentist I’ve gone to, but the last 2 have hurt me enormously and I avoided dentists for years at a time.

What happened 2 dentists ago, you ask? The dentist was found by accident, and if I hadn’t moved from NJ, I would still be going to her. She was the 1st and only dentist to tell me that when a dentist has someone who is extremely hard to numb it is because they have a SECONDARY nerve going into the jaw. It doesn’t get numb because it’s in a totally different location from the primary nerve. Most people only have 1 nerve and most dentists don’t even think about the 2nd one.

I have had up to 8 shots of Novocaine and still feel PAIN. Yes, owlwatcher, PAIN, not pressure. I had 1 dentist tell me it was all in my head until he must have hit an extra sensitive spot. I literally jumped out of the chair and said I was leaving because he was a butcher.

I just had a root canal started around the end of August and the dentist had to stop because I needed to go to a specialist, too. It is so worth the money even if you can only make minimal payments. I didn’t need to go to sleep, either. I told him that I have a secondary nerve going into my jaw and he said it’s very common with his patients. I received about 5 shots of Novocaine, then he started working. (This really shocked me because I’ve never been numb that quick!) I was told to raise my hand if I even felt pressure. The good news is I had none.

Trust me when I tell you I feel your pain… literally. My teeth have always caused me problems and going to the dentist was always hell. Now I feel so much better because 1 dentist took her time and listened to my phobias/problems with other dentists. If it wasn’t for Dr. Leahy in NJ, I’d probably still be terrified of dentists.

Good luck finding a specialist and tell them your story from the beginning.

I’d leave out the problems with your blood pressure though. I believe Novocaine raises blood pressure and a specialist may require you to get a doctors’ note before they start any procedures. Then you would be back to square 1 again.

God Bless and good luck with your tooth.

Owlwatcher?!?! Are you there? How are things going with the tooth???

C’mon, kiddo, where are you! We’re worried.