Trying to grapple with the root cause of things

This is a story that goes to the root (pardon the pun) of the problems of modern life. The cost of everything has gotten out of control, especially health care, dental work, and housing.

This is yet another cautionary tale as well as a morality tale, when you look at it in all its complex dynamics. Yes, getting a tooth extracted (or pulled as they ised to say) for the first time ever this summer has made me ponder a lot of things. And, of course, I have a huge tendency to do this and write about it so I can make more sense of it all.

So in June, I finally went back to the dentist after skipping two six-month checkups and cleanings. After I saw the look on his face after he examined my teeth following a cleaning, I knew the news was not good, but I was horrified when my dentist told me that not only did I need a root canal in one tooth but another, larger tooth was going to have to be extracted. I had felt a little pain in that tooth but nothing much. I was dumbfounded.

Long story short, I spent the next two months until last week tending to those two areas of my dental health. I have this fear of a major toothache, since my pain threshold is pretty low. But never have I had this much to deal with. I guess I’ve been lucky, but still.

The cost: Root canal and crown – $2,400. Extraction, implant and crown – $6,000. Dental insurance covered approximately $2,000 of the total $8,400. Billing to me: $6,400.

So there goes a huge whack at my retirement savings. Just like that! Pow! I now have much more empathy for people who can’t afford these outrageous costs. I was fortunate. The endodontist and oral surgeon were great. I had virtually no pain. I don’t have to go around with a hole in my mouth.

I realize endodontics and oral surgery are very specialized fields. Would you want the job of pulling people’s teeth out as they sit there rigid with anxiety or fear? But why? Why does dental work cost so much?