If this bores you then don't read it. I know Sue and Bridge are probably interested (maybe not).
Well, well. So I went to Dentist #2 for a second opinion today. That was eye opening. With regard to the tooth that the cap came off of (tooth #30). He did the xray and said it looked OK and he should be able to put the cap back on no problem. Then as he was preparing to do that, he said he saw one other tooth where it looked like a cavity was in its beginning stages but it was nothing that needed doing now. Basically, he said let it run its course for now and he can drill n fill down the road when if/when it becomes more apparent. Said he saw no other cavities. Just as he was about to shove his dental tools in my face to put the cap back on I stopped him. I told him I was actually there to get a second opinion. I told him all about Dentist #1 and how he thought it was possible that tooth 30 root was fractured and he was gonna send me to an Endo to confirm. And that tooth 30 also had a cavity. So he backed off and lifted my chair to look at his xray of tooth 30 again. He walked me
thru it. He said he sees no signs of a fracture in the root. Dragged his mouse over the area and said usually you see more definition of the root whereas mine was rather faint at best. Said it wasn't that unusual though and said there were no signs whatsoever of a fracture. Additionally, he said there are no signs of a cavity in tooth 30 either. I said are you sure? He asked a few more questions about pain. Said it had a root canal. He said he understands but there is also ligament like stuff around the root that has nerves and if there was something significantly wrong with that root I'd feel pain in the surrounding area. Basically, 2+2=4. Showed me the xray of the tooth and said he could see no cavity. So he put the cap back on and told me he's done and to go home.
So Dentist #1 had me with a possible implant and four other teeth that needed anything from a drill n fill to as many as two crowns. We're talking thou$and$ Dentist #2 put my cap back on and said it looks like I have the beginnings of one cavity that we can watch in the future. $250, thank you very much. Bye. See you next year. Now get out of here and don't let the door hit you in theass. Yes, Sir!
There was a MASH episode where Hawkeye said he got to be a good surgeon
through repetitiveness. With all the wounded soldiers constantly coming in day and night and doing so many surgeries he just practiced himself into being a great surgeon. Dentist #2 was a dentist in the Navy. I'm sure the Navy made him work like anyone else. In other words...no doctor's hours. You work a full load. And he probably saw many dozens of sailors every week. Like Hawkeye, he just got damn good through repetitiveness. Do the job, do it right, move on. Don't do any more or any less than is necessary. No frills. He spoke my language and I spoke his.
Thanks Sue and Bridget.
out of him. Abbie is working now (and going to college) and ready to buy her own car. 
