P
Punkin
Junior member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2018
- Messages
- 6
- Location
- Pittsburgh, PA
So, this is my periodontal disease story. Part venting, part warning others. I was referred to a periodontist when I started going to a new dentist. I had told my previous dentist that my teeth felt loose but she said it was probably from wearing my orthodontic retainer. She was clearly full of it. So I go to see the periodontist I was referred to. She seemed nice so treatment was started. I got a deep cleaning (ouch) and then she told me I needed scaling and planing done. I was led to believe this would solve my problems. It didn't....
My gums weren't completely numb as she was literally tearing out parts of my gums. When I was finished I went out into the waiting room when half jokingly my fiance told me I looked "like Skeletor" because she tore away most of my gums on my lower teeth. I wasn't thrilled but wasn't upset either- I thought my treatment was done. Nope! I was later informed that Periodontal surgery was recommended. I was given a list a mile long of "poor prognosis" teeth and was told some teeth might be extracted at the time of surgery. I was terrified and about to start nursing school. I could not handle all this- surgery, nursing school and work full time was too much. I didn't go back for 2 years.
When I went back to the periodontist she told me I needed 5, yes 5 teeth extracted along with gum surgery. Then maybe 4 more later extractions. Yes, I know I didn't go back, but her plan was cut and dry. No trying anything but her plan. Did I mention- these are all FRONT teeth except one... which is a molar. I reluctantly agreed seeing as how I was told I pretty much had no choice. I was crying when the surgery day came and had to demand to have questions answered before the procedure. When I said I was upset because they were ripping out my top front teeth I was rudely told, "We don't rip teeth out here". Then I stated I was upset because I didn't have a choice. I was told by the doctor, "You do have a choice. Keep the teeth and the disease will spread and you'll lose surrounding teeth. Or have these extracted." Lovely options! I did the gum flap surgery and got my 2 front top teeth pulled and was to wear a flipper per my doctor. This happened May 9th. The stitches were annoying and actually the pain wasn't bad. The flipper is god awful. It looks so obviously fake. My teeth are all round but these fake teeth are square and look very odd. It looks like someone put 2 pieces of white chiclets gum in my mouth. And these lovely fake teeth costs $250.00 not covered by insurance. Oh and did I mention, the gum flap surgery/extractions (for my upper mouth only) used up all my dental insurance for a year AND I owe $1,500. My lower gum surgery/extractions was to cost $4,000 plus $250.00 for a bottom partial denture.
I have never been so depressed in my life. I cry everyday now, including today. Told my periodontist I was depressed, she doesn't care. Asked her about replacing my front teeth. I told her from the start I am 32 and not wearing dentures long term. She played along until I got the teeth out. Now she won't give me any straight answers and even suggested "if you are so unhappy with the flipper, you can have the dentist make you a new partial". I don't want a partial you B****, I want teeth I don't have to remove! This especially makes me mad since I told her how I can't afford the treatment the previous appointment! She also said she'd work with me on payments- nope, got a bill for $1,500. No payment plan.
At my last checkup I was furious. My "healing" has left me with practically no gums. She also dug huge holes between my upper molars. I was informed I am to push food out of these holes with interdental cleaners. It is beyond gross. Oh and I was not told about any of this until AFTER all was said and done. My mouth is 10 times harder to keep clean. This seems counterproductive since I have bad bacteria in my mouth already. She also tore away most of my gums on my lateral incisors which just hang freely on one side because I have no middle front teeth now! My lip has sunk due to my extractions which once again, I was not informed would happen. I look so bad and when I asked if I just had to look terrible for the rest of my life I was told that "this was the treatment for Periodontitis". I expressed how terrible I looked again and cried again then asked how long I had to go without teeth (I was originally assured that the flipper was temporary since I want implants or a bridge). I was told "You have teeth".
Then I was told another classic, "Things will get better, you're just in shock". I refused to let this hack doctor do my bottom gum surgery, telling her the top was so beyond unacceptable. She said in a huff that I should at least do cleanings every 3 months then just walked away telling her intern to escort me to schedule the cleaning. Went to get my medical records this morning (going to a new periodontist) and found letters she secretly wrote to my dentist enclosed. All lies along the lines of I'll never be pleased, I was informed of the pros and cons and given alternatives (I was not) and the grand daddy.... she said SHE didn't think I was a candidate for lower gum surgery due to my "intolerance to healing/treatment time" and that SHE refused to treat me. Um, no. I told YOU I wouldn't let you hack away my already barely there gums lady! So now I'm still toothless, filled with anxiety/depression everyday (which sucks because I know that's bad for healing), stuck with huge holes between my back molars which now ache due to this, my lip is thinning, my mouth looks droopy and am still in the hole nearly $1,000 for this disaster that is now my mouth. I'm a happy person and am too embarrassed to smile. If I smile too big you can see where the flipper doesn't touch the extraction sockets. So, I have to consciously not smile my own smile.
Anyone else have gum flap surgery that resulted like this? A nightmare dentist that turned evil once they convinced you to have extractions? I feel so hopeless and the thought of never being able to bite into food again is devastating. I recommend anyone having periodontal treatment to find a dentist with pictures showing before and after treatment. My dentist had no such pictures and see what happened to me? I am skeptically optimistic because the new periodontist I am scheduled to see has great reviews and lovely pictures of treated patients. So, this is my incredibly long first post/vent session.
Side note: Yes, I know I get some blame for not going back right away due to school/financial reasons/being terrified. Also, I put up with more than I should have. No one else do that! Stand up for yourself. I should have walked out about the 5th time someone made a smart comment about me "not brushing my teeth". I do and always did brush! Yet when I told the assistant at my doctor's this she said with attitude, "Every day?". No, not every day....only on Tuesdays you wench.
My gums weren't completely numb as she was literally tearing out parts of my gums. When I was finished I went out into the waiting room when half jokingly my fiance told me I looked "like Skeletor" because she tore away most of my gums on my lower teeth. I wasn't thrilled but wasn't upset either- I thought my treatment was done. Nope! I was later informed that Periodontal surgery was recommended. I was given a list a mile long of "poor prognosis" teeth and was told some teeth might be extracted at the time of surgery. I was terrified and about to start nursing school. I could not handle all this- surgery, nursing school and work full time was too much. I didn't go back for 2 years.
When I went back to the periodontist she told me I needed 5, yes 5 teeth extracted along with gum surgery. Then maybe 4 more later extractions. Yes, I know I didn't go back, but her plan was cut and dry. No trying anything but her plan. Did I mention- these are all FRONT teeth except one... which is a molar. I reluctantly agreed seeing as how I was told I pretty much had no choice. I was crying when the surgery day came and had to demand to have questions answered before the procedure. When I said I was upset because they were ripping out my top front teeth I was rudely told, "We don't rip teeth out here". Then I stated I was upset because I didn't have a choice. I was told by the doctor, "You do have a choice. Keep the teeth and the disease will spread and you'll lose surrounding teeth. Or have these extracted." Lovely options! I did the gum flap surgery and got my 2 front top teeth pulled and was to wear a flipper per my doctor. This happened May 9th. The stitches were annoying and actually the pain wasn't bad. The flipper is god awful. It looks so obviously fake. My teeth are all round but these fake teeth are square and look very odd. It looks like someone put 2 pieces of white chiclets gum in my mouth. And these lovely fake teeth costs $250.00 not covered by insurance. Oh and did I mention, the gum flap surgery/extractions (for my upper mouth only) used up all my dental insurance for a year AND I owe $1,500. My lower gum surgery/extractions was to cost $4,000 plus $250.00 for a bottom partial denture.
I have never been so depressed in my life. I cry everyday now, including today. Told my periodontist I was depressed, she doesn't care. Asked her about replacing my front teeth. I told her from the start I am 32 and not wearing dentures long term. She played along until I got the teeth out. Now she won't give me any straight answers and even suggested "if you are so unhappy with the flipper, you can have the dentist make you a new partial". I don't want a partial you B****, I want teeth I don't have to remove! This especially makes me mad since I told her how I can't afford the treatment the previous appointment! She also said she'd work with me on payments- nope, got a bill for $1,500. No payment plan.
At my last checkup I was furious. My "healing" has left me with practically no gums. She also dug huge holes between my upper molars. I was informed I am to push food out of these holes with interdental cleaners. It is beyond gross. Oh and I was not told about any of this until AFTER all was said and done. My mouth is 10 times harder to keep clean. This seems counterproductive since I have bad bacteria in my mouth already. She also tore away most of my gums on my lateral incisors which just hang freely on one side because I have no middle front teeth now! My lip has sunk due to my extractions which once again, I was not informed would happen. I look so bad and when I asked if I just had to look terrible for the rest of my life I was told that "this was the treatment for Periodontitis". I expressed how terrible I looked again and cried again then asked how long I had to go without teeth (I was originally assured that the flipper was temporary since I want implants or a bridge). I was told "You have teeth".
Then I was told another classic, "Things will get better, you're just in shock". I refused to let this hack doctor do my bottom gum surgery, telling her the top was so beyond unacceptable. She said in a huff that I should at least do cleanings every 3 months then just walked away telling her intern to escort me to schedule the cleaning. Went to get my medical records this morning (going to a new periodontist) and found letters she secretly wrote to my dentist enclosed. All lies along the lines of I'll never be pleased, I was informed of the pros and cons and given alternatives (I was not) and the grand daddy.... she said SHE didn't think I was a candidate for lower gum surgery due to my "intolerance to healing/treatment time" and that SHE refused to treat me. Um, no. I told YOU I wouldn't let you hack away my already barely there gums lady! So now I'm still toothless, filled with anxiety/depression everyday (which sucks because I know that's bad for healing), stuck with huge holes between my back molars which now ache due to this, my lip is thinning, my mouth looks droopy and am still in the hole nearly $1,000 for this disaster that is now my mouth. I'm a happy person and am too embarrassed to smile. If I smile too big you can see where the flipper doesn't touch the extraction sockets. So, I have to consciously not smile my own smile. Anyone else have gum flap surgery that resulted like this? A nightmare dentist that turned evil once they convinced you to have extractions? I feel so hopeless and the thought of never being able to bite into food again is devastating. I recommend anyone having periodontal treatment to find a dentist with pictures showing before and after treatment. My dentist had no such pictures and see what happened to me? I am skeptically optimistic because the new periodontist I am scheduled to see has great reviews and lovely pictures of treated patients. So, this is my incredibly long first post/vent session.
Side note: Yes, I know I get some blame for not going back right away due to school/financial reasons/being terrified. Also, I put up with more than I should have. No one else do that! Stand up for yourself. I should have walked out about the 5th time someone made a smart comment about me "not brushing my teeth". I do and always did brush! Yet when I told the assistant at my doctor's this she said with attitude, "Every day?". No, not every day....only on Tuesdays you wench.
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