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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / August 2005Boutique dentists
After examination, I have been advised by my dentist I need a root canal. Although I have received acceptable care for several years at this chain, my last interaction was unpleasant and I think I will seek the care elsewhere. Furthermore, my HMO offers substantial financial incentives to utilize their dentists. I understand that this root canal procedure will require a crown. Since the tooth is one of my upper front teeth, I am concerned about cosmetic quality. I see ads on tv often for clinics that claim they specialize in cosmetic dentistry, and appearance improvement. Will a dentist at my HMO do as good a job as one of dentists that advertise? . . . Furthermore... If I vainly decide to do more work now to correct my somewhat crooked, unevenly spaced smile at this time, will my HMO dentists do as well? Is my age, 50, any impairment to this larger issue? Can an "ordinary" dentist do a root canal as well as a specialist? Do you understand how an HMO is set up??? > After examination, I have been advised by my dentist I need a root > canal. Although I have received acceptable care for several years at [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Will a dentist at my HMO do as good a job as one of dentists that > advertise? Let's see,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, well, your regular dentist will get about $800-$1300 for the crown to help pay the $150-$210 lab fee and the $300-$450 of office overhead during the time you are in the office. Hmmmm,,,,, well, your HMO dentist will get $10 a month for the time you are enroled inhis/her office until such time as you opt out of the plan or register at a different office. What do you think???? . > Furthermore... > > If I vainly decide to do more work now to correct my somewhat crooked, > unevenly spaced smile at this time, will my HMO dentists do as well? Your HMO dentist will use the cheapest labs, cheapest materials, treat you like part of a cattle herd, and make it very difficult for you to get care. OR,,,,,,, they will bait-and-switch you to a procedure which is not covered by the plan which will end up costing you (perhaps) more than what your present dentist would bill for it. > Is my age, 50, any impairment to this larger issue? Welcome to the over-50 club. It is easier to match teeth on people our age. > Can an "ordinary" dentist do a root canal as well as a specialist? Those GP dentists who have the training and the interest, can do an equally good job. From reading past posts as a patient, doesn't this sound like the best care would come from a cerec crown being a front tooth and wanting it to look its best. These are procedures that an HMO cannot provide. Getting the best care would be expected to cost more as materials, equipment, knowledge would naturally cost more. For me, experience has shown me getting ultra care should have always been a priority. However, I was not aware of the intricacies and variances in dental care. My loss. I thought just going to the dentist was sufficient. We know more about cars than we do about teeth. Which is more important.? I know a little more about teeth, still nothing about cars. If I only knew then what I --------------------. Gail > Do you understand how an HMO is set up??? > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > Those GP dentists who have the training and the interest, can do an equally > good job. > After examination, I have been advised by my dentist I need a root > canal. Although I have received acceptable care for several years at [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > advertise? > . They may...a good dentist may participate in an HMO, and a lousy dentist may have good marketing techniques and try to pass him/herself off as a cosmetic specialist when their work is no better than anyone else's. Choosing a dentist solely because they are on your HMO panel is a bad idea. Choosing a dentist because they have a slick ad touting their cosmetic skills is also a bad idea. Ask friends and family about their dentist...it is the best way to find someone. T I would "second" this reply! You need to talk with friends/family to find a dentist. Ask a lot of questions when you see the dentist and try to learn as much as you can before the dentist begins any treatment. > > After examination, I have been advised by my dentist I need a root > > canal. Although I have received acceptable care for several years at [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > T >After examination, I have been advised by my dentist I need a root >canal. Although I have received acceptable care for several years at >this chain, my last interaction was unpleasant and I think I will seek >the care elsewhere. Furthermore, my HMO offers substantial financial >incentives to utilize their dentists. Guess that I am a 'botique dentist'. I don't participate in any HMO schemes. Of course your HMO wants to steer you to one of their practitioners, it costs them less. >I understand that this root canal procedure will require a crown. Since >the tooth is one of my upper front teeth, I am concerned about cosmetic >quality. I see ads on tv often for clinics that claim they specialize >in cosmetic dentistry, and appearance improvement. Any good dentist can deliver acceptable esthetic restoration. Some of us even provide excellent esthetic care. It doesn't matter what the sign says. >Will a dentist at my HMO do as good a job as one of dentists that >advertise? >. Doubtful as the main thrust of an HMO practice is to cut costs and use the old "bait & switch" routine. >. >. >Furthermore... > >If I vainly decide to do more work now to correct my somewhat crooked, >unevenly spaced smile at this time, will my HMO dentists do as well? Maybe, maybe not. >Is my age, 50, any impairment to this larger issue? Doubtful. >Can an "ordinary" dentist do a root canal as well as a specialist? Some can, some can't. -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com amazing... people want the world for paying almost nothing...you get what you pay for. And....sometimes you get less. <G> Fawks > amazing... people want the world for paying almost nothing...you get > what you pay for. >And....sometimes you get less. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> amazing... people want the world for paying almost nothing...you get >> what you pay for. You beat me to it. -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com One that isn't mine at all that I read recently: Aspire to inspire before you expire. Fawks >>And....sometimes you get less. >> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Take out the G'RBAGE > wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com I like it ! One of my faves: "Endeavor to persevere." -The old Indian Chief in Outlaw Josey Wales >One that isn't mine at all that I read recently: > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >> Take out the G'RBAGE >> wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com I also liked it when he talked of losing his sneaking abilities as he got old. My experiences with hunting seem to support that premise. ;-( Fawks > I like it ! > > One of my faves: > "Endeavor to persevere." > > -The old Indian Chief in Outlaw Josey Wales "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' , boy " >I also liked it when he talked of losing his sneaking abilities >as he got old. My experiences with hunting seem to support that [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >> >> -The old Indian Chief in Outlaw Josey Wales -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com > "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' , boy " You remind me of my son. He can have a whole conversation using nothing but movie quotes. Fawks >> "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' , boy " > >You remind me of my son. He can have a whole conversation >using nothing but movie quotes. > >Fawks "Do you feel lucky ? Well do ya, punk ?" -Dirty Harry Very much like 'most' of Eastwood's work. The early westerns, esp. the spaghetti ones. Couldn't stand "Bronco Billy", the orangutan shows, and pretty much anything that Sandra Locke was in. Though some of the DH shows were ok with her in it. -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com >> "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' , boy " > > You remind me of my son. He can have a whole conversation > using nothing but movie quotes. > > Fawks Hey, I'm walkin' heah! Steve  SignatureMark & Steven Bornfeld DDS http://www.dentaltwins.com Brooklyn, NY 718-258-5001 You talkin' ta me? Fawks >>> "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' , boy " >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Steve He's dead, Jim. >You talkin' ta me? > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >> >> Steve -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com > You talkin' ta me? > > Fawks These are just TINKERTOYS! Ve are talking about zee CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM!!" Steve >>>> "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' , boy " >>> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >> >> Steve SignatureMark & Steven Bornfeld DDS http://www.dentaltwins.com Brooklyn, NY 718-258-5001 >> You talkin' ta me? >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Steve You got me on that one... Whoosh---> -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com >>> You talkin' ta me? >>> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Whoosh---> OK here's a shot in the dark Young Frankenstein ? -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com So that was your cigar? Signature~+--~+--~+--~+--~+-- Stephen [What's a Temporary?], D.D.S. Michigan, USA .................................................... This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only. Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect your health. ...................... > >>>> You talkin' ta me? [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Take out the G'RBAGE > wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com >>>>You talkin' ta me? >>>> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Young Frankenstein ? Yup. Gene Wilder. Steve > -- > > W_B > Take out the G'RBAGE > wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com SignatureCut the nonsense to reply >>>You talkin' ta me? >>> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Whoosh---> Young Frankenstein. Steve > -- > > W_B > Take out the G'RBAGE > wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com SignatureCut the nonsense to reply >amazing... people want the world for paying almost nothing...you get >what you pay for. As a wise man has said before... "Sometimes you get less." -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com Majority of HMO offices will give you the cheapest possible crown and this even applies to the bait and switch. Meaning if you are paying full fee $800-$1500 for a crown you are still going to get the same quality workmanship as your plan although your crown will not be silver. This is because you are paying for the losses incurred by the office by participating in HMO. There are some ethical HMO practices but these are the minority and picking somebody from an HMO list that is good is like winning the lottery. Your best bet is as it was said by others ask your friends, family, co-workers. nothing beats a good track record. hey Alex , nice to see you here... I do agree that most HMO offices probably use cheaper crowns... and try to "up-sell" you.... and most general dentist can do a good job doing rootcanal esp on front tooth... USC95 We probably know each other what is your name? |
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