We were making our way down the coast of Oregon and California when I got like a pimple in my mouth on my lower gum. I’ve never had anything like this before, so I took a picture of it and sent it to my dentist in Escondido. They told me it was infection trying to get out. Since I had no pain, I should be OK till I got back to southern California.
When I drove up to Escondido to see Dr. Kerbs who has been my only dentist for over two years, I found out that I needed two root canals–One of them may need to be an extraction instead. Dr. Kerbs referred me to Dr. Garland and Dr. Kardosh in Encinitas. They specialize in root canals using Gentle Wave technology.
They got me in the next morning. Found out of the two molars under concern, one would likely handle a root canal, the other could not. But when I mentioned starting to have the same issue on the opposite side, the 360 degree digital x-ray confirmed the need for a root canal there, too! Great 😫 What fun this was going to be! Plus, with all the orthodontia work, my dental insurance would be all used for the year with the first root canal! Dr Kardosh did the first root canal that day using Gentle Wave technology. It was awesome. Unfortunately, since the two root canals were on opposite sides of my mouth, Dr. Kardosh could not do them both the same day, so I went back on Monday. Since we were leaving for Yuma on Wednesday, there was no time to schedule the extraction with Dr. Kerbs.
Once in Yuma, and after transferring our main things from the motorhome to our home, I started researching dentists. I found two local dentists that I felt comfortable seeing. Unfortunately, when I called, I could not get an appointment with one till Dec 14, and the other would not have anything till after the first of the year! AND those appointments would NOT even be to do the extraction that day, but to retake x-rays and do a routine “new patient” visit. Seriously!?! I have an abscessed molar, and I have to wait nearly 3 months for a stupid “new patient” routine type appointment!?! I then turned to the internet to research dentists in Los Algodones! People are quick to rave about their dentist in Los Algodones, but I don’t remember who goes to which dentist–or what they had done. Many people start first by going for a cleaning to see if they like a particular dentist. Several have had major work done. I did not have time for a casual laidback approach to find a dentist. I felt it was a good sign that the dentists in Los Algodones are so well liked. That gave me the confidence to pursue finding one.
Reviews and such led me to Dr, Bryan Brown Sam. I called the morning of Oct 4. There was one appointment on the 6th at 10am. Otherwise, it would be at least 2 weeks. I took the appointment. I really wasn’t any more nervous than I would be going to either of the two dentists in Yuma. I didn’t know any of them.
Wednesday morning Barry and I went to Los Algodones. Dr. Brown Sam was NOT in the immediate plaza area as you come through the border crossing, where most offices are located and are very tight spaces. A local walked us to the office. It was quite spacious and very clean. No claustrophobia for me here.
Dr Brown Sam looked at the 360 degree digital x-ray that I brought with me from Encinitas, CA. He came in and did a quick exam. The price would be $250 (TOTAL) $50 for the extraction, and $200 for packing in bone implant material immediately afterwards. Wow! Back in California it would have cost me about $1500! When I was done, the receptionist drove us to the preferred pharmacy near the border gate.
The next day, Dr. Brown Sam called me to see how I was doing! The healing has gone very well. (I am writing this 3 months post-extraction!) If I had money left to use on my dental insurance I could submit the paperwork to the insurance company for reimbursement. Some of the dentists in Los Algodones will bill your US insurance for you. It certainly is one way to make your dental insurance dollars go further!!