first time surgery patient

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I just found out I have to have oral surgery. All of the OS's that

my dentist referred me to are not accepting new patients. How does

one go about finding a trustworthy OS. Call me crazy, but I don't

want to just pick a name out of a book.

Thanks!

klutchy79

[Guest guest]

Not crazy at all. Getting the right surgeon is a most important

element in this process.

I'd start by telling my dentist just what you just told me. Ask HIM

or HER where they'd go next.

If you wanna post some clues about where you live, you may get some e-

mails from people who have had experience with a surgeon near you.

(NOTE: I am not suggesting that you post an address, nor a city,

unless its a reasonably large one -- or a large one near you. Don't

mean to be paranoid, but there are all sorts of eyes out there

reading the Internet.)

You might also want to investigate nearby dental schools, which

sometimes have reduced fees and do most excellent work. Not all do

most excellent work, and not all their offices work well with

patients, so if this isn't an approach that interests you, don't

bother.

Ask your friends whether they've had any experiences with oral and

maxillofacial surgeons nearby. Not just orthognathic, either, but

wisdom teeth and implants and other procedures. They or their

children may be able to give suggestions.

And if money is a consideration (and you're lucky if it's not,

because these procedures can indeed be expensive) you also might want

to see what area surgeons accept your insurance. NOT ALL DOCS

ACCEPTED BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY are automatically excellent, nor

the ones you necessarily should choose. But if one listed there is

someone you can work with, so much the better.

When you get that far, there are some FAQs on Fiddlesticks

geocities site that you might want to ask. You may have others, too.

Always ask whether the surgeon has done these specific procedures

before, and how many. Some who are starting out have excellent

training and do fine work. Some who have done many, no doubt, are at

the stage where they should retire (although I've not heard of this).

But generally, more is better.

Best wishes to you. Honestly, after the initial recovery, most agree

that the anticipation is worse than the experience. But I think all

of us are scared, just starting out.

Cammie

> Hi,

> I just found out I have to have oral surgery. All of the OS's that

> my dentist referred me to are not accepting new patients. How does

> one go about finding a trustworthy OS. Call me crazy, but I don't

> want to just pick a name out of a book.

> Thanks!

> klutchy79

[Guest guest]

Can you ask your ortho for recommendation? Many orthos tend to send

their patients to particular surgeons that they work with. I went

to the guy that my ortho recommended. I started asking around

(luckily, I know some people at work who had these types of

surgeries), and they gave me their doctors' names, but I didn't know

how well my ortho would be able to coordinate treatment with some

random guy that I pick vs. the group that he's dealt with for years

(and whose office is right next to his office). And this is the

type of treatment where you want the two docs to be in good

communication with each other. So, I decided to stick with the OS

recommended by my ortho.

Good luck.

Irene.

> Hi,

> I just found out I have to have oral surgery. All of the OS's

that

> my dentist referred me to are not accepting new patients. How

does

> one go about finding a trustworthy OS. Call me crazy, but I don't

> want to just pick a name out of a book.

> Thanks!

> klutchy79

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cammie! I appreciate the advice. Actually, the surgery I

have to have done isn't near what most of you all have experienced.

But I have the common fear of dentists and anyone else that can

inflict pain to my teeth or body for that matter. I have to have a

wisdom tooth extracted. I know most of you reading this are

thinking, " that's all! " . I've never had a cavity before in my life

and I have really straight teeth. But, I was born with just one

wisdom tooth that doesn't have any wisdom. If it did, it would have

known how to get through the gum without totally destroying the tooth

next to it! I know it will take more than a few tugs and pulls to

get this tooth out and I'm terrified. I've never been put under

before. I don't know how it will affect me.

Anyway, thanks for the advice and thanks for caring and listening.

If anyone knows of a good OS in the Cincinnati area, let me know!

Thanks

klutchy79

> > Hi,

> > I just found out I have to have oral surgery. All of the OS's

that

> > my dentist referred me to are not accepting new patients. How

does

> > one go about finding a trustworthy OS. Call me crazy, but I

don't

> > want to just pick a name out of a book.

> > Thanks!

> > klutchy79

[Guest guest]

> > > Hi,

> > > I just found out I have to have oral surgery. All of the OS's

> that

> > > my dentist referred me to are not accepting new patients. How

> does

> > > one go about finding a trustworthy OS. Call me crazy, but I

> don't

> > > want to just pick a name out of a book.

> > > Thanks!

> > > klutchy79

[Guest guest]

That's cool, too. Anything that scares you and that we know about, I

think, is up for discussion, as long as it relates to teeth (and even

sometimes when it doesn't -- witness my posts about grits (yes, the

recipes are coming. I just haven't had a chance to do it yet).

To be truthful with you, my wizzies were worse than the jaw surgery,

although I don't think everybody has that experience. I developed a

dry socket in one, was in Atlanta -- many miles from home -- and hurt

like the devil. I would suggest that nobody plan a trip out of town

just after wizzie surgery, for sure, just in case.

But I lived through it. I just did not have decent pain relief.

Now...

My dental experience being, um, rich and varied (way moreso than I

wish it were), I have also had two root canals simultaneously. My

insurance, which is generally pretty good, would not pay for the NO2

(is that the formula for nitrous oxide?) the gas. I did, quite

happily, and was quite happily for a while afterward. Worth every

penny of the $25. But I never could figure out the insurance

company's position: If you won't pay for gas for anesthesia for two

root canals, what the heck DO you pay for it, for? An amputation??

I know of one person whose insurance paid quite cheerfully for her

surgeon and the hospital's fees, but denied the claim for anesthesia -

- for upper, lower and a possible genio which didn't happen. Hell-

lo?? Can we say " Idiots at work " here?

Go get your wizzie out. It could be that it's not through destroyingi

your bite yet, and you don't want to suffer those consequences,

believe me. I don't know of anyone who provides anesthesia in that

circumstance!

Cammie

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