How JustAnswer Works:

 
 
 
  • Ask an Expert
    Experts are full of valuable knowledge and are ready to help with any question. Credentials confirmed by a Fortune 500 verification firm.
  • Get a Professional Answer
    Via email, text message, or notification as you wait on our site.
    Ask follow up questions if you need to.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
    Rate the answer you receive.
 
 
 
Ask Dr. George McKee Your Own Question
Dr. George McKee, Dentist
Category: Dental
Positive Feedback: 99.6 %
Satisfied Customers: 1396
Experience: Licensed dentist with 30 years clinical experience in general practice and cosmetic reconstruction.
Type Your Dental Question Here...
Dr. George McKee is online now
A new question is answered every 9 seconds

I have (had) an abscess under an implanted bridge, bottom front

Customer Question

I have (had) an abscess under an implanted bridge, bottom front teeth, #22 & #23. I was referred to an Endonist and have an appointment next Tuesday. I have finished up a prescription of Amoxicillin and the pain has totally gone away. Questions: 1) shouldn't the infection be gone now? 2) the cost is really high and almost impossible at $1,995. I plan to charge the first $1-K and the other half, unknown presently. 3) should I get a 2nd opinion and possibly find a dentist at a lower price? 4) I live in PalmSprings, CA and thinking about going to Algadones, Mexico where dental work is 75% cheaper. Can you help? Thanks. LINDA

Submitted: 4 years ago.
Category: Dental
Expert:  Dr. George McKee replied 4 years ago.

Dear ,

Thank you for your question and welcome to Just Answer.

The infection is reduced to the point your pain is gone but the infection is not gone altogether. The infection won't go away until you have the root canal done. Antibiotics just reduce the bacterial count but do nothing for the source of the problem, the dead nerve in the tooth.

It never hurts to get a second opinion. I know Palm Springs well as my in-laws live there. There are many dentists catering to the fixed income of the seniors (not that you fit that category) but their prices tend to be more reasonable. Ask friends and neighbors who they like or check the papers and magazines for discounts and call for a price quote.

You have to take into consideration the cost of traveling to New Mexico and staying there as that will eat into any cost savings that you would realize. Unless you would go there anyway for a vacation or to see friends, then there's nothing wrong with having the root canal done by someone there.

I hope this answers your question. If you would like to discuss this further or have any additional questions, please reply to my answer and I will get right back to you.

Sincerely, XXXXX XXXXX DDS

Dr. George McKee, Dentist
Category: Dental
Positive Feedback: 99.6 %
Satisfied Customers: 1396
Experience: Licensed dentist with 30 years clinical experience in general practice and cosmetic reconstruction.
Dr. George McKee and other Dental Specialists are ready to help you
Customer: replied 4 years ago.

Thank you, XXXXX XXXXX very helpful. If you could just perhaps let me know about how long I can go before my root canal (in case I need to go somewhere else due to $$$$, that would be helpful, too.)
Thanks again, and I accept the charge. Linda J. Waterman

Customer: replied 4 years ago.

Dr. McKee - this is just to let you know, that I was referring to ALGADONES, MEXICO .... (NOT Albuqurque, New Mexico) I have a couple of relatives who get their teeth cleaned and whatever about twice a year. I would like your opinion on this, i.e. professionalism, hygiene, etc., or whatever you know about these dentists across the border. The distance and expense is minimal and again, at least a 75% difference. Thanks again.

JustAnswer in the News:

 
 
 
Ask-a-doc Web sites: If you've got a quick question, you can try to get an answer from sites that say they have various specialists on hand to give quick answers... Justanswer.com.
JustAnswer.com...has seen a spike since October in legal questions from readers about layoffs, unemployment and severance.
Web sites like justanswer.com/legal
...leave nothing to chance.
Traffic on JustAnswer rose 14 percent...and had nearly 400,000 page views in 30 days...inquiries related to stress, high blood pressure, drinking and heart pain jumped 33 percent.
Tory Johnson, GMA Workplace Contributor, discusses work-from-home jobs, such as JustAnswer in which verified Experts answer people’s questions.
I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.
 
 
 

What Customers are Saying:

 
 
 
  • I can go as far as to say it could have resulted in saving my sons life and our entire family now knows what bipolar is and how to assist and understand my most wonderful son, brother and friend to all who loves him dearly. Thank you very much Corrie Moll Pretoria, South Africa
< Last | Next >
  • I can go as far as to say it could have resulted in saving my sons life and our entire family now knows what bipolar is and how to assist and understand my most wonderful son, brother and friend to all who loves him dearly. Thank you very much Corrie Moll Pretoria, South Africa
  • I thank-you so much! It really helped to have this information and confirmation. We will watch her carefully and get her in for the examination and US right away if things do not improve. God bless you as well! Claudia Albuquerque, NM
  • Outstanding response time less than 6 minutes. Answered the question professionally and with a great deal of compassion. Kevin Beaverton, OR
  • Suggested diagnosis was what I hoped and will take this info to my doctor's appointment next week.
    I feel better already! Thank you.
    Elanor Tracy, CA
  • Thank you to the Physician who answered my question today. The answer was far more informative than what I got from the Physicians I saw in person for my problem. Julie Lockesburg, AR
  • You have been more help than you know. I seriously don't know what my sisters situation would be today if you had not gone above and beyond just answering my questions. John and Stefanie Tucson, AZ
  • I have been dealing with an extremely serious health crisis for over three years, and one your physicians asked me more questions, gave me more answers and encouragement than a dozen different doctors who have been treating me!! Janet V Phoenix, AZ
 
 
 

Meet The Experts:

 
 
 
  • Mark Bornfeld DDS's Avatar

    Mark Bornfeld DDS

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    98.3 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    4715
    35 years experience, member Academy of General Dentistry
< Last | Next >
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/GE/gemini132/2012-6-7_14143_MarkPic.64x64.jpg Mark Bornfeld DDS's Avatar

    Mark Bornfeld DDS

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    98.3 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    4715
    35 years experience, member Academy of General Dentistry
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/drbehere/2010-04-11_192833_IMG_055575.jpg Dr. Behere's Avatar

    Dr. Behere

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    99.2 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    1709
    Masters degree, years of experience with all kinds of dental problems.
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/knecht522/2008-12-17_154020_alex22.jpg DR. ALEX's Avatar

    DR. ALEX

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    98.9 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    1607
    I am a General Dentist and founder of the American School of Dental Assisting
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/doclagoa/2008-10-01_163313_geosmall.jpg Dr. George McKee's Avatar

    Dr. George McKee

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    99.6 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    1392
    Licensed dentist with 30 years clinical experience in general practice and cosmetic reconstruction.
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/slodentistry/2009-05-25_004702_h.jpg Dr Girish's Avatar

    Dr Girish

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    99.2 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    788
    19 years of Clinical Experience in all phases of Dentistry
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/DR/DrBraces/2012-7-30_21335_Photo1.64x64.jpg Dr Mariana's Avatar

    Dr Mariana

    Orthodontist

    Positive Feedback:

    97.7 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    699
    Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist since 1990
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/DR/Dr. C Peel/2012-7-8_154859_mixed067.64x64.jpg Dr. C's Avatar

    Dr. C

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    94.9 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    691
    General dentist