Re: OT: Cavitat Scan necessary for cavitations?

March 12, 2008

I am also looking at haveing cavitations cleaned. I just had a Cavitat

scan ($145 per quadrant) done in addition to a Panorex. The costs for

this dentist quoted for the extraction of on root canal molar was $489

and the cavitational surgery for that area plus a previous extracted

molar is $1789 each. This seems high to me. This is phase 1 to treat

the worst areas. I have other extractions and another root canal that

that look problematic.

If anyone out there can give me some feedback on their experiences with

cavitational surgery, I would appreciate it. I need more justification!

thanks,

Bill

> Is a cavitat scan machine necessary to check for cavitations or can an

> > experienced dentist see them on Panoramic xrays? I am trying to

choose

> > between 2 dentists : one charges between $1800 - $2000 per

quadrant ,

> > uses cavitat scan; the other dentist charges between $500 - $900 per

> > tooth but uses only panoramic xrays to look for cavitations - and he

> > did find one under my extracted root canaled tooth - I was told by

the

> > assistant that he is v. experienced in cavitation surgery.

> > Thanks

> >

>

March 13, 2008

My educated impression is, and my dentist's pricing seems to indicate,

that cavitations and extractions are no different. All he's doing is

cutting the gum and then " debriding " the bone. That is, he is drilling

the surface to take away the rotten bone and allowing blood to flow in

so that a clot will form once he sews it up. This is absolutely no more

work than an extraction - in fact, less, since he doesn't need to extract!

You might ask him this question - why is the cavitation surgery so much

more? Isn't it very much like extraction? What is the extra cost for?

See if you get a reasonable answer. Don't let him/her put you off.

Show him/her that you know the basics of the procedure and ask them to

explain a little more so that you will understand why this thing is 3x

the work of an extraction. You might also go over to the A-M list and

ask Dean, who is apparently a dentist (?) or at least appears to have a

lot of experience with dentistry.

Dave.

Posted by: " Bill Kilbourne " billk@...

billk@...?Subject=%20Re%3A%20OT%3A%20Cavitat%20Scan%20necessary\

%20for%20cavitations%3F>

surfgent http://profiles.yahoo.com/surfgent>

Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:53 pm (PDT)