I always wondered about the "amalgam" they mixed on the spot. Maybe that will explain the mercury poisioning?!

I need an extraction. Regular dentist doesn't do them, says I need an oral surgeon, and a referral, whatever that may be. Referral obtained by phone or fax from my periodontist, confirming need for extraction. Oral Surgeon won't schedule any work without a "consultation", which, it turns out, is comprised of an unnecessary tour of the office (+/- 90 seconds --- I learned where the restroom was located, viewed Doctor's sundry diplomas, decorator designed furnishings, etc. ...), an unnecessary panoramic x-ray confirming already evident "referred" condition, filled out enough pages of forms divulging medical history ("any maternal grandparents die on odd-numbered Thursdays in months with no "R" ?, etc." Any known adverse reaction to Strontium 90?) Now, I probably will require corrective arthroscopic surgery for carpal tunnel, or etc., after filling out the damn forms and disclaimers, acknowledging the risks of death and disfigurement, absolving the Doctor from any but the most egregious acts of negligence and malfeasance, and so on and so forth, until I began to wonder whether they intended to extract a failing tooth, or amputate an overused arm.

I was informed that no, I could not schedule the "surgery" to be performed on a Friday, as only the doctor's general anesthesia patients are worked on, on Fridays, leaving the other weekday patients to lose a recuperative day off work, or etc.

All this, plainly, arises from insurance issues pertaining in the US. Without these legal liabilities and the insurance expense necessary to protect a practice and a professional career, a Mexican or other "offshore" dentist can offer cheaper services. The risk is that of remediation, if things go wrong...

Since we are talking about outsourcing things the URL below leads to a Russian MP3 site where songs are 9 to 15 cents each. The artists get paid but the music reps here make not a dime. They can only drive 1 Mercedes at a time anyway.

Download mp3 music!

Sheriff, For a chance to see that, I’d schedule an appointment with a Mexican proctologist….

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Always Stay Strong!

If you're interested, click below for more information.

"Amalgam"

Mexican dentists don't use it for the same reasons US dentists don't. Do not assume that just because Mexican dentists aren't subject to the same rules (and probable over regulation) as their US counterparts that they don't follow the same procedures. If it is a good idea here it is probably a good idea in Mexico as well. Every instrument I saw came out of a sealed sterile plastic bag, just like they do here. If you have to choose a health provider based upon your ability to sue them later you are probably in the wrong office to begin with.

All I remember are the 1/2" drill bits they used to reach the tooth nerve. I'm a complete candy***** when it comes to seeing a dentist.

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Smith & Wesson beat four aces

A former patient just sent this to me and I thought those here might appreciate seeing it. Seems that there are lots of other options available in modern dentistry today.

Bob

YouTube - "The Dentist Of Jaipur" // a funny shortfilm by Falk Peplinski

I watched that clip included in post by bettis 1. I thought I was sort of tough. Having lived trough a plane crash and one not critical shooting. Man when I watched that clip my butt puckered right up. No way no how. That gal he was working on had to have the heart of a lioness. Jeez makes my dentist look like Mother Theresa. One question for bettis....How come you can't get total job done by one dentist anymore. I remember getting root canal and cap and an extraction from same dentist some years back now you seem to have to go to two maybe three different dentists before you get the total job done..Just curious????

Bob - great clip! I think some folks expect something along these lines when they hear "Mexican Dentistry. LOL Thanks for posting.

George,

The answer to your question is multifaceted but it boils down to the extreme complexity of all phases of medicine and dentistry today. Just as a physician's degree may allow him to practice medicine, we would not expect a general practice physician to perform a heart-lung transplant for us. A general dentist may be licensed to do dentistry but we probably would't ask him to do a complete facial reconstruction following a severe gunshot or automobile trauma. General practice dentists are initially trained to handle treatment in all areas of dentistry. As they go through their practice years they may develop extra interest in an area or a particular disinterest in another area that leads them to go into or avoid certain procedures. When the complexity of a particular treatment, whether it be endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, restorative care, etc. reaches a particular level, the wise general practice doctor will refer those complex cases to a specialist.

When the state licensing boards and the courts look at the outcome and the appropriateness of a treatment they demand that it comply with the level of care that is usual and customary in that field. For example, a general dentist may be perfectly competent in doing a routine dental extraction but if he embarks on a complex surgical procedure that has a less than satisfactory outcome, he will be held to the same level of care as the specialist oral surgeon.

Hope this hasn't been too confusing and has answered your question about why some things are referred out.

Bob

Just seemed strange that dentist I have used for years and did restorative work on me after the plane crash...dental was the least of my worries at the time. however I did receive some great dental work as an after thought due to some teeth having hit the dirt trough trauma. Now that dentist only does kids teeth after retiring at least once. He had been considered the best in town 20 years ago for caps et el..Now I have to go to dentists that only know his work by looking at the x rays....and the cost are sort of prohibitive now that I an in my 70s...Just curious...Thanks

Last December as documented here I headed down to Nogales for some serious dental work with very good results. I went to a local dentist here in Tucson this morning for a cleaning (they were running an internet new patient special - Full mouth X rays, exam and cleaning for $49). This was cheaper than driving all the way to Nogales and I was due so thought, why not.

After the X rays and the cleaning the dentist came in for the exam. She asked if I had any particular concerns for her to address as her hygienist had said my teeth were looking good with no apparent problems. I asked her to take a look at my new bridge and give me her opinion explaining that I had had it done just 6 months ago.

She examined my teeth and took a good look at the bridge. I asked her opinion and her response was "Excellent, a really nice piece of dental work". I explained where I had it done and why and she seemed a tad surprised but repeated that it was very well done. i have had no problems whatsoever and the bite is perfect. Can't guarantee that everyone would have such a good experience but for what it's worth I am a happy boy and $4000 ahead. As always....opinions and YMMV.

Sounds like a great check-up, Steve. Glad things worked out so well for you.

Bob

The government says it's safe......

...."Run Forrest! Run!"

I had my amalgam replaced, NOT covered by insurance, they said it was "cosmetic", even though all of my amalgam fillings were corroded and breaking up exposing my teeth to cavities-and a root canal...

I likes me some Mexican dentists.

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Sure you did

Then there's the Hillbilly Dental Plan - keep the teeth until they rot out.

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You are what you learn.

I've seen a movie where perfectly adequate dental work was done with a rock and an ice skate. Big $$$$$ savings!

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In dog years I'm dead.

Some of the business owners I know have no personal dental insurance so they make a vacation out of getting their dental work done! (we live in Wisconsin)

Even with the flight and a few days at an all-inclusive the price is less than most dentists here....

Me? I've never even had a cavity.... But I'm only 47....

Give it time, odds are you will.
I'm heading back for my second round of dental surgery on Wednesday, Boo-Hiss.

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Always Stay Strong!

I have a little anecdote about my boyhood dentist--this was 50 years ago--he didn't believe a kid needed novocaine: "Almost done kid, hang on!".

As he worked, he would put his cigarette on the corner of his mouth, angled upward, so the smoke didn't obscure his vision when he was drilling. Every few minutes, he'd walk over to the blinds and pull one slat down and peer out as if he were being stalked.

He ended his career at a local prison, providing dental care to inmates. Maybe doing interrogations, too...

Nice guy, though...

BTW--I am extraordinarily sensitive to dental pain, and many shots of XXX-o-caine are needed just to prevent water from literally shooting out of my eyes. I feel like I am being tortured most of the time I am in the chair.

As far as nitrous oxide--well, it ain't your fathers gas! It's been diluted so much that is not effective. I remember getting NO as a teen and I was literally unaware that the work had been done! Nowadays, it doesn't even relax me.

Tim

You know they say a picture is worth a thousand words!
Just a thought.

I remember well . . . my first cavity was filled using one of these contraptions and no freezing to-boot. This ol' boy was my Dad's dentist when he was a kid so there I sat surrounded by these pulleys and cables. I remember the cables being brown in color and looking very similar to the drive belt of my Grandma's Singer treedle sewing machine.

Rod

There is nothing wrong with Mexican dentists. Just the other day Jose finished mowing the lawn and pruning the bushes, came into the house and did the root canal I needed. $50!!!

You can't get an American to do that can ya?

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Fidelis Ad Mortem

I don't think I'd cross the border from El Paso to Juarez to have it done. Too many extractions over there being done with AK 47s. Besides which, my dentist here did the only extraction I've needed so far, although he doesn't do root canals.

Los Algadones Mexico is across the border from Yuma(AZ)....it offers three things...prescriptions, optical and dental.
Personally I have only bought my Rx there, but know many who have had good dental work there as well as eye exams and glasses. Prices are very low. My Rx there is half the cost of US. You do not need a prescription for most drugs.
The average age of the Americans going there is about 65.
Many of the snowbirds stock up on their Rxs before heading north for the summer. Avoid April. Very crowded.
Just about everything is cash. Prices are posted on chalkboards in front of the Pharmacias.
The Mexican army has strong presence there. It is safe there.
I was a little hot and tired when I crossed back into the US, so when the customs officer asked what I had bought I just said "drugs"....he didn't even blink, didn't look at my shopping bag.
Not a bad drive from Phoenix. You will need your passport (to get back into the US)...you just walk into Mexico.
The whole border issue is ironic when you think about it....

I need dental work done. Luckily, I have insurance but unluckily, I'm on a fixed income. I still have a baby tooth behind my left canine. It took all these years and finally it broke and needs extraction.

But my dog's tooth needs to be extracted and it cost more than my tooth. Everything is cash when it comes to vet dental bills - there's is no insurance that covers it. So, I had to put my appointment back another month.

This thread has made me stop and realize that I’m not taking very good care of my teeth. If stepping up the brushing, flossing, and use of mouth wash will help me from not having to worry about how much the cost of visiting a dentist is these days then maybe I can spend some more time brushing, flossing, and rinsing…

About a year ago we bought a Water Pic and it has made a big difference. I've had more than one dentist tell me they are more effective than flossing. For about $70 it was money well spent and they are easy to use. Add a little ADA approved mouthwash to the water pic and it is even more effective. Do recommend not getting the cordless model as it doesn't hold enough water.

Dental tape works really well. Floss can come apart when trying to get between those molars. Make sure you get a good name brand and not a store generic brand. I find them not putting enough wax.

Wheelgunner, what was the actual time frame for your implant?
I had some bad roots in my back two teeth. My dentist did a
procedure to remove decay in the roots. crowns installed. ~$1200
about two years later the decay returned to the roots.
Hoping to save the teeth, A periodontist did a root amputation
on one root of each tooth. ~$2000
Again, about 2years later the decay returned, no hope to save
the teeth. about 6months ago the (teeth) were surgically
removed and I have been healing since. N/C

Now, after a $300 xray
My periodontist says I need the bone graft. $3600
6-8 months healing time. the first month I cant even
blow my nose.
then install the implants. $2000 each x2
6-8 months healing.
then expose the implants. N/C
6-8 months healing
then my dentist would do the crowns. $1500 each

total investment, $11,000 18-24 months healing time.
plus ~$3200 first try at saving teeth.

Now I wish I had just gone the implant route in the first place.

I was going to just live without the teeth, but now the back
teeth on the other side are acting up since I chew mainly on
them now.

sorry about the long ramble.

pc

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I fish, therefore I lie

A dozen posts later...And I'm the ONLY one interested in THIS story??

Same here. Not everything Mexico is bad.

They have a nice Country, goooood food, hot chicas (I married one) and they can play soccer.

The only neg. thing is the drug war...

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Jorge

I have a Doctor friend who uses the saying, "Don't expect me to take something that you have been destroying for the past 20 years and fix it in 30 minutes."

He better not think about working on my teeth. It ain't smart to bring pliers to a gunfight.

Broke that same tooth about 5 years ago on a hunting trip in Wyoming.The local dentist met me after dinner on a saturday to get the root out.That was my 1st implant.Getting ready for my 3rd.

Shame on you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZimZYTwuDk

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

...the first dentist my mom took me to in the late fifties was eighty or so years old...and his equipment was almost as old as him...which means it was made circa 1880...I know because I've seen identical equipment in a museum and it said circa 1880...and ya...it was all belts and pullys and joints...and a little bitty spit sink (no suction in those days).

...a few years ago I had a tooth pulled...when the dentist asked if I wanted the gas...I decided to man-up and said no...

...next time I'm asking for a double straight up...and when it starts wearing off I'll say...Thank you sir...may I HAVE ANOTHER!

...INSURANCE?...we don't need no STINKING INSURANCE!...

I wonder if that is going to be changing in 2014... ?

I believe I feel a tooth pain coming on....yep definitely a tooth ache!

My own guess would be "Insurance is cheaper south of the border."

Insurance? We HAVE insurance????

I recently had a cleaning done they found two small cavities and wanted $400 to fill them. We booked a 3 day stay at the Patagonia Lake State Park campground which is 12 miles from Nogales. I drove from our campsite to Nogales in 20 minutes, walked across to their new office's that are now just 50 yards from the border. They filled both cavities with no pain meds whatsoever and I didn't feel a thing. 25 minutes and $80 later I walked straight across the border without waiting. Hopefully I won't need any additional work done anytime soon but if I do you know where I'll be a going.