Todays Letter to the Dentist

June 30, 2008


Dr. *** c/o C***
L** W** Dental Associates
## L*** W***
***,** #####
via fax ###-###-####


Dear Dr. ***,

Greetings, I hope this note finds you well. I am writing to communicate concerns I have prior to my upcoming appointment. I realize that you and Dr. R** at L** to E*** have conferred so please accept this note as “support documentation” rather then new information.

My concerns are that I have not clearly communicated the degree and frequency of pain I am feeling in my mouth, that we are going to proceed with a bridge and that there is the possibility that the underlying issue will go unresolved and that later, the bridge will need to be removed to address it. It is possible that my fears are unfounded, that you are aware of my issues, and that this letter is moot. I also understand that it is equally possible that it is the bridge that will resolve the underlying cause of the pain, and I will be fine. I just need confirmation from your office as to which scenario is most likely.

So I can assuage my concerns, I need your attention for just a few minutes more. I just want to ensure that I have been as explicit as possible:

The lower left area of my mouth, where we are completing the bridge is in constant pain. That pain is the same pain as summer of last year and has not been diminished or alleviated since last summer. It varies on a scale of 2 to 6, never so painful as to merit “torture” status but enough so that I have frequent headaches and am constantly aware of the area. i.e. either throbbing or generally radiating waves of what I can only describe as the same sensation you get when you floss too vigorously. It is not an occasional “sensitivity” issue, although cold and sweet do exacerbate it. This is a constant ache. This ache can be alleviated for the most part by applying constant pressure with a fingertip to the gumline of the original (first/non-molar) tooth.

After the first root canal, October 07, I still felt pain. Assuming it was a “normal” byproduct of both my extreme decay and the procedure(s), and that it would resolve upon completion of the entire cap/bridge process, I did not mention it until a routine cleaning with ***, who brought it to your attention. As you know, you referred me back to Dr. R***, , and she was confident that it was not the same tooth. She surmised that the pain was from the decayed molar behind the “empty” area, and we proceeded to do a second root canal. After completing that second root canal two weeks ago, I continue to feel the same pain. Dr. R***, is confident that the pain is not from either tooth and suggested, and perhaps you will confirm, that this may be a gum issue.

After making an appointment with C***, and knowing that we are completing the final steps, I just want to make 100% sure that I have told you how much this hurts. Whatever the underlying cause, I feel awful. I have had throbbing pain and a headache, continuously, at it’s highest level on my scale (again, about a 6/7 on a scale of 1-10), since Wednesday – and I’m worried that it’s going to continue. I don’t want to call the office and continue to explain nor do I want to be a whiner. I just REALLY need to know that you know what my issue is, my problems are and my fears. Any feedback to this letter is appreciated. You do not have to call directly, I’m happy to speak with anyone in your office – I just need to know with certainty that it’s been communicated to you that I am both miserable and concerned.

Regards,