[peridot]

Hi,

About 6 months ago, my husband saw a dentist. The dentist refused to do any cleaning, saying all he would do would be an extraction, and referred him to a periodontist. We went to the periodontist who said he needed Osseous surgery, and quoted us almost $3000 (and likely more after that... ). So my husband has been in pain with this broken tooth for quite a while. The dentist now says he won't pull it either (without even seeing him again), to find another dentist. I'm wondering now if we go see another dentist if they'll say the same thing. What do we do? He's in a lot of pain, and has been for a while.

Thank you for any advice!

[flossie]

What was the reason the periodontist recommended osseous surgery? Does he think the tooth can be saved? What kind of periodontal pocket is around the tooth, is it loose? You said the first dentist said he would do any cleaning, do you mean of that particular tooth or all of your husband's teeth?

I need more information, sorry.

[peridot]

Thanks for answering flossie!

The general dentist refuses to do anything for my husband right now. He wouldn't clean any of his teeth and now won't pull any.

The periodontist wants to cut his gums (all of them), pull them down and clean under the gums, then sew them back up.

The tooth he wants extracted is broken, not loose (I don't think). I'm not sure what kind of periodontal pocket is around the tooth. I seriously doubt the tooth is in any savable state.

[flossie]

I know most dentists think they know what is best for their patients BUT when push comes to shove, the tooth IS your husband's and the dentist is providing a SERVICE. The dentist should be doing what your husband wants done since HE is the one paying the bill!

I'd recommend you make some calls, explain the situation and I'm sure you will find a dentist that is compasionate enough to listen to your husband's request. You can get the original x-rays from the first dentist or periodontist to save your husband the cost of having another one taken.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[peridot]

Well, I found out the reason when I called up to cancel my own appointment. The dentist refuses to pull the tooth because my husband didn't follow the proscribed treatment at the periodontist, even though we couldn't afford it. So, at least I know there's no reason for a different general dentist to refuse him.

[flossie]

I wonder if the dentist gets a cut (pardon the pun) from the periodontist for every referral?? Time for a new dentist for sure!