Expert: Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO - 11/15/2007

Question
Dear Dr Finnk,

I'm having a horrifying time with my teeth. I suspect my previous dentist of destroying them too. I don't know if I should hope I'm right or not. If I'm right there's a chance I could get a bit more help trying to get the matter at hand fixed but I'd hate to think that something like that happened. But my primary concern is my problem at hand.

My history with teeth starts out : I had braces and didn't take care of them. I told them I wouldn't and that was stupid but I was young. After having them removed early I went to a dentist and somehow got put under the impression that they were doing 4 root canals, 8 crowns and 10 fillings. After one particular visit I noticed that my teeth were darker, felt thinner. When I tried flossing after this visit I was horrified that my teeth were going to fall out and it really felt like that. They'd told me that the crowns would have to be darker to match the rest of my teeth.

So after about eight thousand dollars and I began taking care of my teeth because I didn't want to seem ungrateful to my mother for working with their payment plan for months to get all that done. And then my teeth began to fall out. Usually after a hit in the face (I'm incredibly clumsy) but not hard enough that you'd expect teeth to fall out, and it was always a bit after I'd been hit in the face.

My fiance was getting back from boot camp and we were going to get married and I went to a dentist to see if anything could be done so I wouldn't be the toothless bride. I couldn't afford anything but while I was there I was talking to them and I said "those teeth in the front are all crowns". They took a closer look and said "no there's not a crown in your mouth". I was horrified but with all that was going on (fiance at boot camp, parents losing their house to a con-artist and I was living with them until I could live with my fiance, pastor left and all about on the same few days. I also developed an ulcer at the age of 17 a few months before all this came to be, watching everything crumble.) I didn't think to look into it until my insurance for being a military dependent kicked in and I began going to dentists.

I developed an abscess in tooth #7 about a week before my insurance would hit, so I did my best to bear it until I could see someone. That morning, after going to the clinic on base to find out they don't take dependents, I went back home to see what information and what not I'd need to show that I had insurance. Well after finding online that they only cover 1200 (after recruiter and a few other people telling us that they cover about 75 which is a completely bogus number no matter how you look at it.) Aside from that I call to see what info I need to give them "you have no insurance". So I talked to them for a while and getting things sorted I'd have coverage for that day but it wouldn't be processed until about a week later. I called the dentists on the list that the base clinic gave us (they sent us away but they were nice about it) and went to a dentist. (The first dental place told me they'd want somewhere around 600-800 before they'd even look at me.) My doctor in Florida had prescribed antibiotics that I was taking hoping to knock out the infection. And since the paperwork for my insurance wasn't done they would have to do the minimum. Now these people were sweet and it was really good to have somebody look at it and tell me I wasn't going to explode so it was worth it but 64$ for directions to another place. I go to the other doctor and get a treatment plan. (I was also told by the previous dentist he's the best in town when it comes to the type of work I'd be needing. I felt good about that.) Then he sends me to a root canal specialist. (Also told to be the best around in that area of work.) I get a treatment plan from him. They suggested I see navy relief to get a loan to make monthly payments on these things so I could get them done.

Go to navy relief and they want me to see a naval dentist to see what can be done now and what can wait till next years insurance.

Before I continue all three dentists have said something like this "You had root canals didn't you. How long have these been exposed? They didn't put a post and crown on them?! Well, you know, after about a week or two if you haven't had a post or crown put on these you're about as well off as if they hadn't done anything at all." (That's wonderful...)

Sorry to give my life's story, but I thought for you to give me an accurate answer to my question you'd need the information.

The naval dentist wrote a note that he agree's with the treatment plans (though the whole reason I went to him was to see what could wait until next year and told him that and  didn't really get a straight answer.) but he also added that a more economical way to fix things would be a partial denture and added that it might be better to do that since I'm 19 and the decay might not be over.

This horrifies me. I went online to get more information and it says they're uncomfortable but I looked at a picture and there is no way I could do it. I gag when the dentist tries to get x-rays from me. Sometimes, I even freak out and gag on the tiny one you bite down on in the front and it goes around your head. I sometimes wake up in the morning gagging for some reason. I don't think theres any way I could stand this thing in my mouth either the big metal one or the nasty looking one that's supposed to blend better. But I'm horrified that navy relief is going to say 'you get the cheaper method or nothing'.

I've heard naval dentists pale in comparison to a normal dentist and I spent time talking to the other dentist who's supposed to be the best around (I didn't get that same time with the naval dentist), and I would tend to think he would know if there was going to be a problem with it. I plan to talk to him about it, but I didn't think to ask the naval doctor if the decay could just be from all the previous neglect and not being able to go in for cleanings in many years (more then five definitely) and all the coca cola I used to drink and have cut that from my diet and haven't had any but a sip in years. I did get to talk to the other dentist about it before he gave me the treatment plan and I even asked him if it would all hold up with the shape my mouth is in and he seemed to think it would.

What can I do if navy relief won't cover more then the less costly treatment? I think giving me the partial denture would be about just as good as knocking all the problem teeth out and leaving a hole because I know I couldn't use it. I plan to tell them that I forgot to give some info to the naval dentist and say that I've been told the other dentists are the best around and that I did talk to them and they spent a lot more time looking then the naval one did.

Is there anything you can tell me about partial dentures or if my fear of gagging is a possibility and my reading that they're uncomfortable are true or not? What the best direction would be to go in or any other information you could say from looking at my case. Am I right in thinking I should listen to the regular dentists over the naval dentist? Is there anyway you know of that I'd be able to get crown treatment if navy relief won't help? (Like an insurance company or other help organization. Shot in the dark I don't figure that's your area of expertise.)

I've had this abscess for two months now and still can't seem to get anything done. Any information you can give would be very helpful and much appreciated.

(Side note : I think I forgot to mention. The teeth that are missing are #9 #10 #11).

I'm sorry this is so long. Thank you very much for reading.

Answer
Dear Amy:  Your situation is incredibly complex, and without a thorough examination, xrays, and interview, I can give you no more information than that you must find a dentist you trust, have your abscess treated, and get the partial.  If you cannot tolerate the partial, there are other things that can be done, such as permanently cemented bridges, which look and feel just like real teeth.  Good luck. And stop getting hit in your face.  dd