to Indian Babe

[Guest guest]

My friend, let me introduce you to some hard facts of life...

In a circumstance I know about, near first-hand, here in backwoods

lower Alabama, the extraction of five molar teeth, not impacted, cost

$1,200. And that is U.S. dollars, not Canadian ones. This particular

surgery had nothing to do with orthodontics/orthognathics. But that's

the going rate here.

If you can get Dr. Tocchio to do your impacted problems for that sum

in Canadian, I would suggest that you sign on, tomorrow. But that is

only my suggestion.

If I may add another, the doctor, from all reports, is gentle and

good, and you will fare well in his care and should be grateful for

his attentions. It will also, I think, help if you will invest in a

zipnsqueeze jaw wrap, and perhaps a ZNS baggie or two, but that's all

up to you.

No, I do not know Dr. Tocchio. Never met the dude. Am not his

cousin. Do not get a commision for recommending him, nor for

recommeding the zippie stuff. Just my ideas on what might help you.

It is most ordinary to be frightened. That does not mean you are a

coward, nor that this is an obstacle you can't get through. Try to

keep your composure and trust the experts in whom you place your

confidence. And of course ...

Best wishes to you, whatever you do.

Cammie

> Hi

> Thanks for the reply. I have checked out your website, and read all

> about your experiences. I am trying not to even think of the

surgery,

> but I should be. I only saw Dr. Tocchio three times. The first

time

> was a consult, he explained my options, but did not go into great

deal

> about the surgery. I needed to make up my mind since my ortho was

> charging me based on which route I took (just ortho or ortho with

> surgery). I needed the prep work done which was the extractions, I

> had a baby tooth under my gum line (which a lot of other surgeons

said

> they would not touch), as well as the wisdom teeth. My ortho feels

I

> am now ready for the surgery, and says the wisdom teeth should come

> out atleast 6 months in advance to allow healing before surgery.

> I regret not getting them out when Dr Tocchio did my extractions,

but

> the thought of 9 teeth at once...was scary!! So I decided to do the

> extractions, then the braces and now the wisdom teeth. I feel based

> on other consults, he is charging me way too much for the wisdom

> teeth, but i guess its the price to pay for his name/experience.

> As for the surgery we haven't discussed anything. Does he do a lot

of

> pre-op appointments?

> I know the hospital stay is covered, and I do not remember what Dr.

> Tocchio's quote was for the surgery, but the wisdom teeth is costing

> me close to $1500. The last insurance company I was with rejected

the

> predetermination for the surgery, and said he was overcharging

> according to the dental fees guide for the teeth extractions. They

> only covered based on their allowed maximum fee.

> After reading this forum I know a lot more about the surgery, and

have

> a lot of questions regarding my own case....

> But one step at a time, gotta see how this wisdom teeth surgery goes

> first! I don't know why I'm so scared, but its just a personal

fear I

> guess.

> Thanks for the support!

>