Dental Work

A year ago I went to the dentist because I was in a lot of pain. I thought I might have an infected tooth. Turns out it was the TMJ in my jaw that had been aggravated. I knew I had a LOT of cavities since I had not been to a dentist in a long time and am prone to them. I also knew that 2 teeth were sensitive and really needed the work done. Skip ahead a year.... I have now spent about $3300 on dental work. Both problem teeth had cavities filled and one had a pin put in. Both of them are still bothering me. And the one that had a pin put in is now disintegrating, literally. There is a crevice in the back of the tooth and it is getting worse all the time. I am waiting for the tooth to split in half.

I know I need to go back to the dentist but it is so expensive... I do have 100% coverage through work (50% for major work... like crowns) but it's not always 100% that is covered. And I feel like it should've been right the first time. Now I am paying for it again... or will be. There is also a lot of pain, even up into my sinuses as a result. I am really scared that they are going to need to crown the tooth since that will cost me about $400. I don't have $400 at the moment... especially with the government hassling me over my student loan.

I truly believe that dental work should be considered part of health care and should have more coverage. After all a lot of people prolong getting work done until it becomes an emergency and then it ends up costing more and they are worse off. Of course I would also like to see dental implants become a viable option... but right now they are considered cosmetic and cost something like $8000 a tooth. Because I am prone to cavities and my teeth didn't really form properly I would gladly have all my teeth taken out and new teeth be surgically implanted (we're not talking dentures here... we're talking grafted in). Then I wouldn't have to worry about them any more and would only have to pay once.... not constantly be putting out more money. Of course I would have to be really rich in order to afford it... but I can dream.

Good News/Bad News

So the good news is that I got the insurance money from my nightguard today. They covered the entire thing. That means I can pay rent tomorrow. So that was good news. I was really getting concerned about that.

The bad news is that there is still no word on my interest relief application. I had to put a stop payment in with the Royal Bank but that is only temporary. Not to mention, as I have learned before, it is all too easy to get behind in your payments and then you end up in a LOT of trouble. They told me I would hear back in 3 business days. It has now been 5 and still no word. *Sigh* I really didn't want to call them again. I just don't want to deal with it. How about I win the lottery and not worry about it? That would be nice.

Accountability

This seems to be my week for bashing dentists. But what I want to know is why are they not held accountable for their actions? If some of this stuff happened in a medical field there might be a different outcome.

4 years ago when I had my wisdom teeth removed the dentist did nerve damage. The right side of my tongue was numb and the TMJ was aggravated.
End result: I had to go to the doctor for Naproxen, still slur my words occassionally because the feeling on that side of my tongue never fully returned.

3 weeks go the dentist was working on the lower right. Once again hit the nerve. And he knew it. He saw the reaction on my face.
End result: Agony for a week and a half and then a visit to the ER for medication. I ended up cutting the bottom of my tongue because I couldn't feel it. The right side of my tongue is back to being numb (if it had ever healed) Noticing the speech impediment more but it could just be me.

Yesterday was back at the dentist for more work. My back is still killing me from the way I was positioned in the chair. He hit a different nerve this time. So just below my nose is now numb. That is a new sensation. Once again, had my jaw open too long so the TMJ is bothering me again. Fortunately I still have some Naproxen left.
End result: I need to go see the chiropractor to have my back fixed. Will be taking Naproxen for the pain. And I am not sure what the end result will be for the numbness near the nasal cavity.

So to recap... My jaw is in pain from hitting the nerve and I have to pay for the medication. If I want the nerve damaged corrected I have to pay the high price to have it done. My tongue will likely never have full feeling back, which also affects my sense of taste. I now have a bit of a speech impediment, especially when tired. I will have to pay $35 to have my back looked at. I'm not sure what will happen with the nerve damage under my nose. And the dentist doesn't even have to acknowledge that he made a mistake. No lawyer would ever take the case. The dentist denied hitting the nerve stating that it was just how long my jaw was open for. No that electric shock feeling I had tells me otherwise. So why are they not accountable for their actions? Chances are if a patient was disfigured during an operation they'd be suing for malpractice. Or maybe that is only in the States. But dentists don't even have to admit to making a mistake, apologize or take responsibility and fix it. I wonder why that is

Dental Reform

I am beginning to believe that there needs to be a dental reform. Now I know I am being an idealist. The reform will never happen. What we need to do is incorporate dental into the medical system. The government would rather cut services then add them and the dentists won't give up the lucrative practice. The average salary after one year in private practice is $100,000 CAN. I'd like to be making some of that. Now it doesn't have to be $100,000 but I'd like a small piece of that.

So why do I think it should be a combined service? If it was then I might not have waited 4.5 years to see a dentist. And it's currently bankrupting me to have the work done. My insurance company pays 100% sort of. They only pay up to last years fee guide... and only up to $2000. I've already paid about $300 in dental fees for services that were not covered. Plus to get the $2000 coverage I have to pay $20 a month through work. So there is another $240. Needless to say it's not exactly cheap.

The last time I was there I had 4 cavities filled in my front teeth. The total for that was $1100. So that's $275 per tooth. You can't tell me that the materials to fill the cavities and the hour that it took really cost anywhere near $1100.

To be continued...

Dentist Visit

Today I was rediscovering my hatred for dentists. Last time I had work done he did nerve damage and I ended up at the ER a week and a half later. Yesterday was the first time I could open my jaw without pain. So today I was back there first thing in the morning. He was doing work on the front teeth. I'm pretty sure both times he had to inject the freezing he hit the nerve. I felt the same weird sensation go through my head and into my ear. Then it just went from bad to worse. The angle they had me on meant I was sliding backwards so I ended up gripping the arms on the chair. That ended up hurting my back and shoulders since all the muscles were tight for over an hour. The dentist knows that I can't keep my jaw open for an extended period of time and what does he do? He wandered out 3x during the appointment. I started to get really angry since I just wanted the work done and over with. It was basically an excruciating hour. When he was almost at the end the freezing started to come out so with certain teeth I could really feel it. I didn't want to tell the dentist because then he would stop... add more freezing... and the whole thing would take even longer. I just wanted to get the hell out of there. 13 hours later and my teeth are still killing me. My lower jaw is slightly bothering me but my front teeth actually hurt. Then I had to go to work. It was entertaining when I was trying to drink the can of Coke. It didn't work so well. Needless to say it's been a long day. Almost makes me wish I had false teeth. Might not hurt as much.

Back to the ER

I managed to stay away for 3 months but tonight I was back to the ER. I was concerned that the nerve damage might have resulted in an infection. Plus I wanted the pain to stop. I was planning to wait until I saw the dentist on Tuesday but figured I was only hurting myself if I waited... and was in agony. I got there around 8:00 and it was 8:30 before I even saw the triage nurse because 5 ambulances came in at the same time. The sign beside triage indicated that it was 3-4 hour wait. They fast tracked me which was a good thing. But with all the patients and the ambulances the doctor for the fast tracked patients was soemewhere else. 2 people were waiting for their test results and there were 8 people ahead of me. It was not looking promising. But I was actually out of there by 10:00. The doctor said to ice my jaw and neck and gave me naproxen for the pain. He thinks the TMJ was aggravated, possibly by overextending the jaw while the treatment was done, from hitting the nerve, or just from having my mouth open for an hour. I had been wondering about that... since the same thing happened when I had my wisdom teeth out. I had to go on Naproxen then too. Hopefully it does control the pain. And hopefully the cut on my tongue actually heals. I'll be back at the dentists on Tuesday so I can also get his opinion. And hopefully when he fills the next cavities he doesn't inflict any more damage.

Dentist

I am beginning to think that this is the week to kick me when I am down. Anything else want to happen this week? Okay... I really shouldn't say that. I remember what happened last time. Today was the tail end of my weekend, back to work tomorrow. I figured I'd go to the dentist while I was off. Nice thought. So the dentist was putting the freezing in and hit a blood vessel. I felt this weird sensation go right through to my ear. And, of course, there is the fact my platelet count is low. So I'm automatically having a mini panic attack . Well then he did nerve damage. He used more freezing then last time so I didn't think much of it when a couple hours later my jaw was hurting. But when it was still hurting 6 hours after they did the freezing I knew there was nerve damage. Why is it that every time they do work on the lower right they manage to do nerve damage? The last time around I was getting my wisdom teeth out and they did nerve damage. Half my tongue was numb and there are still days that I can feel it. But once again they damaged the nerves. I can even feel it in my neck. I could barely eat. Hoping it is improved tomorrow. If all else fails I think I still have some Percocets I could take.

Under the Weather

Currently feeling a bit under the weather. I'm not sure if it's just because of the jaw pain but I haven't been eating much which is also leading to low energy. First thing tomorrow morning I am off to the dentist finally. Maybe more medication... or at least future appointments to get the work done. Then on Thursday I am off to the chiropractor. Tonight I am definitely going to bed early so I can rest. Or so the theory goes any ways. We'll see what happens in the next hour.

TMJ

Well I am no longer stoned on Percocets. Even better, I don't need to get any of my teeth extracted. I went to see the dentist on Monday since I was in agony. Turns out it was actually a problem with my jaw. My TMJ has been aggravated. I'm not sure it's ever hurt this bad. It's been bugging me off and on for a while. I can feel the muscles tensing and twitching perodically. When your jaw closes it's approximately 25 pounds of pressure. The TMJ is made worse from stress and the fact I clench my teeth. Posture is also related. Sitting on the couch watching TV for hours is definitely not helping that. As a result the top vertebrae is out of place and has pulled one side of my jaw out of place. That led to overcompensation and more pain. Looking back I am thinking that I should've taken the dentist up on the offer for painkillers. But I was thinking he'd give me more percocets and that was the last thing I wanted. Naproxen (a muscle relaxant), on the other hand, would be good and has worked in the past to reduce/relieve the pain of TMJ. Hopefully when I go to the chiropractor tomorrow she can help me. Last time I was there she was talking about lasers or acupuncture to relieve the pain. I just hope the pain goes away soon.

Stress Free Diet

1 part rest
1 part relaxation
1 part supportive people around you

Stir and serve

Okay so I wish it was that easy. I'm currently reminded of the old addage, "Money is the root of all evil." Well in my case... it may not be evil... but it certainly is stress. I'm still trying to get the medical certificate from the doctor and he seems to be taking his time getting back to me. I've been off work for 5 weeks now without any source of income and I need that piece of paper to claim my EI. I'd really like the money so I can pay rent... and go to the dentist. Got a cavity that is becoming quite painful and I'd like it taken care of.

On top of that Steve announced that I should maybe be looking for a new place to live since he can't afford to continue paying rent here. Hmm... if I am moving out I've got 2 weeks before my notice has to be in. I can't afford to pay my bills as it is where am I going to get first and last from? While I was considering moving to a one bedroom I wanted to give it a few months and since I am not at work it's hard to try and find a roommate for me. Not to mention the fact Steve's room looks more like a storage unit then a bedroom. So I've been scared to show it to anyone. And I really don't want to be moving again. I've already moved 3x since I got to Peterborough. That wasn't how I wanted to start my day.

All my stress right now comes from the financial side of things. Being off work for so long is going to wind up costing me about $2000. Since my EI has not been approved so far the lack of an income is really starting to hurt. Fortunately, I did some work on Adam's computer so he will be giving me money and I have a web site to design that will also bring in some money.... just not enough to actually make ends meet. As much as I am trying to relax it's not that easy.