sunshine123
03-21-2003, 06:24 PM
Well, I saw the DDS today whose name I got off the list from the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. They must let ANYONE be a member of that organization. This guy was so stupid. I finally got it out of him that I have an open anterior bite and that he thinks braces would help me but that HE can't. He's an Orthodontist too. I asked him if the occlusal splint I wear on the bottom teeth at night can move the teeth and he said yes. I was told otherwise by the first 2 guys I saw. Anyway, he didn't want to recommend an Orthodontist, but finally did. He thinks my teeth hurt b/c of the malocclusion and the grinding on the left. All my pain is on my left. I don't have the headaches or facial pain anymore, but I have to get rid of this tooth pain before I kill myself. He wasn't sympathetic or helpful at all and any info I gleaned from him I had to ask for several times. On top of that, they didn't bother to charge me the $75 fee b/c he knew that he didn't/couldn't do squat for me plus the receptionist handed me back the forms that I had filled out for them. In other words, they don't want me as a patient. Of course, I wouldn't see that guy again if he were the only DDS on the planet. I can't believe he's an expert in ANY phase of dentistry. So, I'm now back where I started a year ago with the same tooth pain that had me seek help in the first place!!!!! One more thing is that I asked if I could get a bottle of Periogard since my gums hurt and his response was, "I didn't check your gums." I had already told him that I have a couple of Periodontal pockets and gum pain. Why couldn't he have sold me the Periogard for God's sake. I GIVE UP!!!!!!!!! Sue
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shell389
03-21-2003, 11:19 PM
Sue, Don't give up! I got my new dentist off of the American Academy for Craniofacial Pain website and he is wonderful. There are some out there that do care and are really interested in this problem. That is so terrible what happened to you today. He sounds like my old dentist (who I still go to for cleanings and fillings). I will never discuss my TMJD with him again. He basically thought that most of it was in my head. I know I shouldn't see him at all after that but the new dentist is just too far away to drive for routine dental work. Plus if I ever had a toothache I sure wouldn't want to drive that far. But he is great for the TMJD.
Take care and I hope you find someone to help you! Shell
Take care and I hope you find someone to help you! Shell
TiffanyAnn
03-21-2003, 11:20 PM
Hi Sue:
I'm so sorry the "expert" you saw today was such a jerk. I have often left their offices wondering just what they thought they were doing anyway. Since it was obvious to me that they were not an expert in anything other than making alot of money and not caring about us in the least. I was so in hopes that you had maybe found someone who could help you. And it always hurts when they don't. I think most of us by now have realized that most of them are just in it for the money but it still hurts to have hope and then to be jerked around. I'm so sorry this happened to you again. As for not selling you the products you need I have no idea. He sounds like a real class 1 jerk. What about the other guy you were going to see first? The one you cancelled to see this guy. Do you think maybe that seeing him might be a good idea? You know, maybe when you go to see someone else you might not even want to tell them you saw that jerk and let them arrive at their own conclusion. Then after they have done that if you wanted to you might say "well I saw so and so and they thought this" or you might not want to either. Don't give up Sue, even though I know you must be feeling defeated. You are worth all the work.
Tiffany
I'm so sorry the "expert" you saw today was such a jerk. I have often left their offices wondering just what they thought they were doing anyway. Since it was obvious to me that they were not an expert in anything other than making alot of money and not caring about us in the least. I was so in hopes that you had maybe found someone who could help you. And it always hurts when they don't. I think most of us by now have realized that most of them are just in it for the money but it still hurts to have hope and then to be jerked around. I'm so sorry this happened to you again. As for not selling you the products you need I have no idea. He sounds like a real class 1 jerk. What about the other guy you were going to see first? The one you cancelled to see this guy. Do you think maybe that seeing him might be a good idea? You know, maybe when you go to see someone else you might not even want to tell them you saw that jerk and let them arrive at their own conclusion. Then after they have done that if you wanted to you might say "well I saw so and so and they thought this" or you might not want to either. Don't give up Sue, even though I know you must be feeling defeated. You are worth all the work.
Tiffany
sunshine123
03-22-2003, 02:32 PM
Hi Shell: Thanks for your kind words. I'm in San Diego. I must be the only one on this board who is b/c it seems like everybody else is either on the east coast or in Canada. I know that Starr is in Upland, but that is far from me too. I'm happy to hear that you've found a good DDS from that list. I was researching some other ones from the list and they have their patients wear the NTI which I've already tried and it made me 100 times worse, so I guess I'll keep my appt. this Thursday with the one downtown who treats TMJ 100%. I hope he doesn't recommend the NTI too. lol. I may also still have the consulation with the Orthodontist on April 7th to get her take on things. Thanks again. Sue
sunshine123
03-22-2003, 02:36 PM
Hi Tiffany: I knew you'd relate to my experience yesterday. It's a good thing I didn't have that shotgun with me when I saw him. lol. I hadn't cancelled my appt. yet with the TMJ guy downtown on Thursday, so I'll go see him. I may also see the Orthodontist on April 7th for a consulation. AT least that will be free. I think the problem is that all these dentists know each other and defend each other too. Also, a lot of them prescribe the NTI for nighttime and I already have one of those that I got from the first guy and I can't wear it. It's too thick, keeps my mouth open too far and gives me worse headaches!!!!!!!! Anyway, I wish we lived closer to each other so we'd get a personal recommendation from someone who has experience with these jerks ahead of time. Thanks again. Sue
TiffanyAnn
03-22-2003, 11:48 PM
Hi Sue:
Oh yes, I totally relate to you. It's a good thing we don't live close to each other because I think we would take on these lousy doctors/dentists and show them a thing or two about real pain. LOL Anyway, I sure hope one of the others you have an appointment with can help you and does not talk to this jerk you saw yesterday. Man, I'd love to slap their faces sometimes. I couldn't understand why the heck the guy said braces would probably help you and he was an orthodontist but refused to treat you. That just made no sense to me at all. You are right about the doctors and dentists backing each other up. It's the reason they get away with so much stuff because they all back each other up even if they know one of their collegues really hurt someone. It's a really sad thing I think. Hang in there and let me know what the others say after you see them.
Much luck to you,
Tiffany
Oh yes, I totally relate to you. It's a good thing we don't live close to each other because I think we would take on these lousy doctors/dentists and show them a thing or two about real pain. LOL Anyway, I sure hope one of the others you have an appointment with can help you and does not talk to this jerk you saw yesterday. Man, I'd love to slap their faces sometimes. I couldn't understand why the heck the guy said braces would probably help you and he was an orthodontist but refused to treat you. That just made no sense to me at all. You are right about the doctors and dentists backing each other up. It's the reason they get away with so much stuff because they all back each other up even if they know one of their collegues really hurt someone. It's a really sad thing I think. Hang in there and let me know what the others say after you see them.
Much luck to you,
Tiffany
Jennifluffer
03-24-2003, 11:35 AM
It just boggles my mind that there are so many people out there who have had such horrendous experiences with the dental profession!! If anyone here in Central Texas, let me know and I can recommend some great people! When I told my DDS about my problems on my last visit, he took the time to examine my jaw and see if he could find a problem. He said that there was a problem, at least on the left side, and recommended a colleague of his that can give me a better idea of what the problem might be (though he did have an idea). I had been to see the orthodontist he suggested a couple of years ago for a different issue, so it remains to be seen if he can help my TMJ issue, but I am hopeful. I guess we'll see what happens.
Good luck to everyone out there who hasn't had much success in finding doctors who will (1) believe you and (2) be able to help. They are out there, I assure you!!
Jenn
Good luck to everyone out there who hasn't had much success in finding doctors who will (1) believe you and (2) be able to help. They are out there, I assure you!!
Jenn