"Not all dentists are created equal." This is the conclusion I reached after Dr. Ronderos treated…read moreme. Let me explain:
I went to Dr. Ronderos at the recommendation of my Endodontist, Dr. Jean Yang. I had been going to my regular dentist for 10+ years (not naming names, but let's just say I will not go back to that dentist anymore). For about 2-months, my teeth grinding (bruxism) had gotten worse, and it was giving me progressively worsening SEVERE pain on my left lower molar. When I went to my regular dentist (actually 2-times). Without taking an X-ray for either exam, he visually examined me and concluded that my teeth looked fine. He said to keep using the night guard. And if the pain persists or gets worse, he would recommend a tooth extraction and an implant - due to the worsening pain. After my 2nd (and maybe last) visit, I knew I needed a 2nd opinion. So I went to see my client, who happens to also be a Peridontist (just like Dr. Ronderos). He agreed to examine my left lower molar and took an X-Ray and did a full exam on all the teeth. The X-Ray showed an active infection, so he prescribed some antibiotics, and his recommendation was that I do a Root Canal for that left lower molar, and he gave me a referral to his Endodontist, recommending a Root Canal. Thinking that I would need to do a Root Canal for sure, and wanting to locate a good Endodontist, I called around various Endodontist based on Yelp Reviews and I luckily found Dr. Jean Yang (Woodside Endodontics) on my own. At this point, I am completely on my own, with a severe and worsening tooth pain from severe daily teeth grinding and an active infection, thinking the worst - that I needed a Root Canal ASAP to relieve myself from the daily, VERY SEVERE tooth pain. Dr. Yang took a very methodical approach and gave me a thorough exam, and she first took X-Rays, then examined the teeth carefully, then she recommended to take a CT Scan to ensure there is no crack or fracture on that teeth. Her conclusion, after the detailed exam, is that the Root Canal may not be the correct solution. Given my teeth grinding and bruxism, she said even if she performed a Root Canal and saved that teeth, the bruxism would eventually crack that teeth and the Root Canal would be useless, because I would likely need an extraction and an implant. She said I have a peridontal issue, and she recommended me to see Dr. Ronderos. She said Dr. Ronderos is very busy and it might be difficult to get an appointment. I chose Dr. Ronderos because he was recommended by Dr. Yang, and I really want to best, most qualified dentist to work on my teeth. I was luckily able to get an appointment due to a cancellation, and saw Dr. Ronderos last week. Dr. Ronderos may have saved my teeth and made it unnecessary to do a Root Canal or an Implant. Dr. Ronderos looked at my CT Scans, and he carefully examined my teeth and my bite, and he concluded that I have an uneven bite, causing my teeth to exert significantly more pressure to my left bottom molar teeth. Imagine if that left bottom molar is the only teeth at the highest location, and is the only teeth that comes in contact with the top left molar, essentially getting ALL the pressure exerted throughout the day and into the night with bruxism. And even with the night guard, I would still wake up with a loose, shaky left bottom molar with SEVERE pain because that 1 singular tooth just got pummeled DAILY with all that grinding and pressure. So, Dr. Ronderos explained to me: I have 2 options: Option 1: Extract and Implant. Success rate is 98%. But there is Option 2, which he recommends, which is: adjust the teeth (grind/level down the teeth enamel slightly and grind down the night guard slightly - so that when I bite, the pressure would be evenly distributed throughout all the teeth, and not just on that 1, poor left bottom molar). He did a careful exam with the color strip, asked me to bite down and grind my teeth. He looked at the coloration on my molar, and my night guard, and did some careful adjustments on both the bottom left molar and the night guard. He also tested to ensure the nerve under that bottom left molar is still alive and well, and responsive to electric magnetic test, so that it would be worth saving. After all these tests, and careful adjustments, I left Dr. Ronderos' clinic with a renewed sense of optimism, and asked myself: "Why isn't every dentist like Dr. Ronderos? A dentist who carefully examines the patient and makes proper adjustments to really address the root cause of the problem." I left his clinic with a lingering tooth ache (from the grinding), however, 2 days after Dr. Ronderos' adjustment of my left bottom molar and the night guard, I now no longer feel pain, and I feel like that bottom left molar is becoming stronger and better, and now it no longer hurts. When I wake up, I no longer feel pain, and I don't need a Root Canal or an Implant. Dr. Rondero's and Dr. Yang are the only dentists I trust. Go see them!
