[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

That is not my experience here at all (that they say deep root cleaning for $600 is needed).

It seems to me that if a dentist were to do a cleaning only, knowing that they see chips, cracks and old fillings/crowns worn away at the margins where bacteria will enter and form an abscess inside the tooth that then requires root canal or extraction, it would be malpractice to not advise the patient to get the tooth/teeth fixed before abscess forms.

Here's what Mayo Clinic says about that:

"A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that's caused by a bacterial infection. The abscess can occur at different regions of the tooth for different reasons. A periapical (per-e-AP-ih-kul) abscess occurs at the tip of the root, whereas a periodontal (per-e-o-DON-tul) abscess occurs in the gums next to a tooth root. The information here refers specifically to periapical abscesses.

A periapical tooth abscess usually occurs as a result of an untreated dental cavity, injury or prior dental work.

Dentists will treat a tooth abscess by draining it and getting rid of the infection. They may be able to save your tooth with a root canal treatment, but in some instances it may need to be pulled. Leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications."

Tooth abscess - Mayo Clinic

I respectfully agree to disagree. I, sure that some people need to have this done but I think, it didn't apply to me.

Went to my dentist up north last summer and he still insisted I didn't need a deep "root" cleaning or deep cleaning as I have said. I had broken my bridge with two teeth, and he was able to reinstall it, for a fraction of what I have had to pay in TV. IMHO. He also repaired a cavity that other dentists never seem to pick up on, after x-rays and a exam.

I have been to several dentists who always say they need to take x-rays and do an exam. I agree with that but several have quoted astronomical prices for work, that didn't need to be done. IMHO

The last person who did a regular cleaning informed me when you give them your insurance card and they see you live in TV, they assume you have a lot of money to pay for a lot of services.

I'm not trying to paint all dentists with a broad brush as I am sure there are honest dentists out there. I just haven't found one in my plan that I feel comfortable with that believe in reasonable and customary cost. I believe in taking care of my health and I am hoping this thread will provide me with a name that's in my plan.