I recently moved to the island so I haven't had time to set up medical. Two days before my trip to Hawaii my tooth started to hurt. It was hurting SO bad I couldn't even sleep. I called one dentist and he didn't have any room so reception gave me the number for another dentist. I called but that dentist didn't have any room on his schedule EITHER! Again, the previous doctor was recommended, but if not available I was directed to give Dr. Tripletts office a call. Since I had already called the other dentist I gave Dr. Triplett a call. His staff was VERY accommodating. This review does not extend to his staff. They're awesome!
My first visit Dr. Triplett office he recommended that I have a root canal preformed. He suspected there was a second canal missed in a previous root canal, and that it was now infected. He also thought a root fracture was a possibility. Dr. Triplett informed me that I had a 50/50 chance of saving the tooth. I took the antibiotic and pain medication he prescribed, but it did nothing. It actually got WORSE! I seriously thought i'd have to miss my trip. Since I crossed over, and was in Seattle I decided to do one of those early walk-ins at my current dentist office. The first thing my dentist did was take a probe and check my gums. If your pockets measure more than 4mm it's an indication that your gums have detached from the tooth and bone loss may have possibly begun. I was a 7. His tool went all the way in. The pocket was super deep. He said I almost CERTAINLY had a root fracture. After that he took x rays and recommended the tooth be removed. He also added that I could wait and get another x ray after a short period of antibiotics. By then inflammation could decrease, and he or Dr. Triplett could better assess the tooth. Dr. Triplett did not take these steps. He even commented "Oh I didn't do that" as I was telling him what my doctor did that day. My dentist gave me a numbing shot and also recommended that I take two 200mg Ibpro every 4-6 hours. I did that TWICE. I didn't have any pain when I left that office and it never came back.
While in Hawaii I received a call from the receptionist. I asked her if I could speak to Dr. Triplett. I told her I didn't think that I would go through with the root canal and that i'd like to take some x-rays. She asked me if I would still come in and I said yes, but I thought I was clear on the "I don't want a root canal at this time thing." I really wanted to speak to him as I didn't want him to do the whole set up thing until we talked.
I arrived at Dr. Tripletts office and he's all set up for a root canal procedure. I shared what my doctor had suggested, and he agreed with everything accept delaying the root canal. He said he didn't understand WHY my doctor had suggested that I wait for maximum healing before proceeding. Seems pretty easy to understand to me! When I wouldn't agree to a root canal he immediately stood up and said,"JUST GO! You seem to have more trust in your Seattle doctor, so I think it would be best to have your work done there. We blocked out an hour and a half for your procedure and you just can't....yeah just have Seattle do it. You trust them." I replied," Just wait a minute please. I never said I didn't trust you. I'm taking what my doctor recommended into consideration, and I'm also taking what you said into consideration. I'd like to delay by a week, and i'm willing to pay for the x-ray and time it took for your staff to set this all up!" I asked him would $200 would suffice. He declined. He stuck out his hand in a handshake gesture, and told me to go to Seattle. In some awkward weird angel like response I actually shook his hand.(face palm) I explained to him that this was never about trust. It was about my comfort level with further procedures on this already weak tooth. A route canal cost $800. He's also drilling into my crown and i'd need another. The crown cost $1100.
Before I got up to leave, I was so embarrassed at how he treated me, I actually tried to once again save it and make it less awkward. I told him that trust is built up over time, and that i'd be willing to pay for the set up and x rays. I understand that those things took time. He replied,"maybe I need someone that trust me faster!"
I am appalled at his arrogant tone he took with me, and his unprofessionalism. I'm sure there are those that've had a positive experience with Dr. Triplett. I did not. Anyone that reacts this way when you disagree with them is not to be trusted with your health. I did not insult him, I didn't say his opinion was worth less, and I reacted kindly to his embarrassing behavior. I am still mentally shook from that encounter. He really hurt my feelings, but at least he gets to remember my smile I maintained while in his presence. If you're looking for a Dr. that will listen to your concerns, I don't believe this is the doctor for you. I think there's much to be learned here. read more
