Conclusion to the August 11, 2019 blog post “Whenever Zen Master Has a Toothache.”
Recap: my dentist had recommended an extraction and a partial denture for Zen Master.
So this time I made sure to check the dentist that was referred to us for Zen Master, to make sure he was in fact in-network with his insurance. And check, he was indeed.
After we got home from the first dental visit, where my dentist had recommended extraction and a partial denture, Zen Master had pitched another fit in the middle of the kitchen, putting his gnarly foot down.
Keep in mind, although I’m Chinese, and our Asian society says to always respect your elders, I’ve also a temper and an extreme low tolerance for bullshit.
Actual Shout-fest Between Zen Master and Myself
Me: “I’m going to set up an appointment for next week with the new guy! And you’re gonna go with me and stop being a baby!”
Zen Master: “I will not go! You can’t make it! I’m not paying $2000.00 for false teeth!”
Me: “And when all of your nasty teeth fall out and you can’t eat your roast duck (because that’s his favorite food), then I’m gonna eat it all up!”
Zen Master: (shoulders drooping in defeat) Aw-right.
Yeah, I had to hit him below the belt with food. Because he loves to eat and enjoy his food. And he damn well knows that he needs teeth to make that happen.
Extraction and a partial denture?
So when we arrived at the office of the new dentist, who happens to be Korean and a guy, I already knew that it was going to just click for him. In the past, when we lived in Maryland, he did actually visit a dentist, who also was Korean and he was pleased with the results and the treatment that he got. This is not to say that my dentist was a bad dentist or mistreated him. No, she isn’t and she didn’t. It’s just the fact that she suggested only an extraction and a partial denture that had him at hello.
So if history repeats itself, then we’ll have a winner.
Yes, no extraction and a partial denture
And we have a winner! Because when another X-ray was taken and the dentist sat with us, he gave us options other than extraction and a partial denture, because at the end of the day, he knew that Pop just wanted to keep his tooth.
The nice dentist suggested a root cancel and a deep tissue cleaning because Zen Master has serious periodontal disease (AKA Periodontitis). But once fixed, it really becomes just a matter of time before even this tooth would need to come out, projection 5-8 years. This all depends on if Zen Master starts to take better care of his teeth now. Specifically, getting periodic cleanings, which he never. ever. wanted.
And to which he just said, OK.
Turns out that if we had actually gone with extraction, it would have impacted the other neighboring teeth and another tooth would’ve fallen out in short order.
My dentist didn’t say anything about that. She was just focused on the distressed tooth itself, not the whole picture, which this dentist just did.
And even with the insurance, the estimated cost was 700.00 cheaper than from the first visit.
Thank goodness for insurance.
On to the next adventure!
Sally in the Zen