Just Like Pulling Teeth

Quick... think about the medical appointment you look forward to the least.  For women, it's often going into your well-woman visit (trust us, those stirrups are not the most comfortable).  For men over 40, it's the annual prostate exam.  However, there's another appointment that strikes fear in the hearts of many.

What does the sound of a whirring drill make you feel?  What about those bite-wing x-rays ~ do they make you gag?  And do NOT come anywhere near us with that horrible novocaine needle.  You guessed it - we really don't like going to the dentist (even though we get our choppers cleaned twice a year, without fail).  What would happen if you had a bad experience at a dentist?

Jon M. makes us want to cry.  Sob, really, if truth be told.  He went to Monarch Dental and got a crown.  And they *whimper* did it without anesthesia.  If you're not familiar with how dentists do crowns, they file the affected tooth to the nub and then glue the crown to it.  How do they file it down?  Drill, baby, drill.

At the very least Jon should have gotten a local anesthetic with his procedure.  But some dentists, in an effort to save money (we think) cut out unnecessary things.  The problem is we don't think medication to numb the pain prior to a procedure is unnecessary.  BrightNow (which includes Monarch Dental) has 300 locations in 18 states.  One just opened near us. 

After reading Jon's letter (and given our dislike of going to the dentist) what do you think the chances are that we're going to try out Monarch Dental?  Roughly the same as going to the moon.  No thank you.  It sometimes only takes one bad experience (or hearing of one bad experience) to... well, leave a bad taste in your mouth.  Something not even a dentist can fix.

--Contributed by Deb

Comments

[cosmetic dentists in San Diego]

I agree with it some dentists, in an effort to save money cut out unnecessary things. The problem is we don't think medication to numb the pain prior to a procedure is unnecessary. tanks for the post.

-heather-

[Loretta John]

Having a tooth pulled without anesthesia is unimaginably painful. There is no substitute for excellent dental care. Losing your faith with your dentist is understandable, I guess it's time to move on. Don't worry, you'll find a good dentist sooner or later.