[Prudence]

Great big suckage. So I have these on-going issues with my teeth. Long story. Enough built up that at my age, and given my neurotic compulsion to floss multiple times daily, I sought a second opinion. Well, I got the full results of my second opinion. I *just* had a "full" check-up at the old dentist in January, and he filled three cavities but said everything else is wonderful. Results of the second opinion? three more cavities that need immediate attention (including another one in a tooth filled in January -- why wouldn't the old dentist have done both? Even *I* could see it on the xray.)

AND, the last crown I had done only 1 year ago, the one that I've complained hurts and doesn't feel right for a year and been told is all in my head, is actually an incredibly poorly fitted crown. It's so bad that the underlying tooth has been decaying (which was causing the pain and bleeding.) And so now not only do I have to get a new crown (which insurance won't pay for because the old one is only a year old) but FIRST I have to have oral surgery to do something called a "crown lengthening." I have no idea what that is, but it doesn't sound good.

I'm so angry. It's pain and inconvenience for me, and it drains our bank account. And I got suckered into feeling misplaced loyalty and it might cost me teeth. And as snotty as it sounds, having bad teeth makes me feel like I'm some smelly hick who never even looks at a toothbrush. I'm so angry at my (former) dentist. He kept telling me it was my fault and I believed him. Heck, last month he punched me in the arm and it shocked me so much I didn't even know what to do.

I need a freakin' spine already. Grrr.