socks -- Thanks for the great photo of Oski. He's lucky to have you. I'm sure he will be FINE once the sedation wears off. As you know, we've had four Westies (one at a time) throughout our marriage (50 years). Charlie died of tongue cancer at nine -- I'm certain from a lesion that happened when he saved my diamond ring from going down the drain during a bath -- and urrped up two weeks later. The resulting lesion was only discovered when I took him in for dental work years later. Rosie came to us too old to take to training. She was an escape artist and was eventually killed on a highway between our house and a shopping mall as we chased after her. Pip was the prize winner in conformation, and as loving as Charlie. We spent a fortune on his skin troubles, but he finally grew out of them at about ten and lived well (deaf and blind) until just before his 17th birthday. Eliot was from Westie Rescue, not entirely Westie as he *shed*. He had an acid stomach, requiring special canned food for the last five years or so. He developed bleeding warts; was deaf and going blind. We coped until he seemed to become senile and incontinent. He was a loving companion until we had to put him down this spring at 15. His constant 'chewie' was a chip from our bluestone-chip driveway. Any stone I accidentally sucked up into the central vac was immediately replaced by him on the next walk. He'd crunch on this and toss it around in his mouth. An acquired 'taste', eh? I think we are done now, but it's kind of you to 'share' Oski. Westies are cute...and tough! Sending a tummy-rub to you, Oski!

A slim chance, but I think the chewing on one side and the drooling and bad breath probably mean she does need some sort of intervention. She is a former feral and still not easy to handle, so light sedation probably wouldn't work. We'll see what the vet thinks after the blood tests and exam this afternoon. If all are good and she is likely in pain we'll have it done first thing next week.

He was quoted at $1200 for 7 molars removed. Because they didn't need to come out, and instead the 3 little front teeth, it dropped to $763. Also, he was just in last week getting a regular checkup to monitor his thyroid, and because they did blood work at that time, I didn't need it with yesterday's surgery. So that saved some money. The post-op meds and follow-up in 2 weeks is included. With 2 more 'kids' I'll be trying to save up some money to get their teeth cleaned. Smudge yawned at us this morning, and his teeth are pearly white!

IdaClaire, I am in the dental profession and want assure you that implants are the "standard of care" now, meaning that if a single tooth needs to be replaced it might be your best option. I work at a dental school in Boston 2 days/week, where we see patients who travel many miles for the discounted fee at a dental school. However, since you have a dentist you trust and you also trust her judgement in referring you to a good oral surgeon, you can go forward with confidence. You are correct in that implants are a good option vs. bridge when "virgin" teeth are involved. Re: Springroz's comment on the cost " What I do not understand is why insurance covered most of the endo, but almost NONE of the crown....as if you had a choice to do the crown!" Your insurance company will pay up to the maximum allowed per calendar year. That is it. So if you had endodontic treatment on a tooth or teeth you may have used all your benefits for the year. Therefore the crown would not be covered in full. Anyone with dental insurance can request that a pre-treatment estimate of all costs be sent to the insurance company before beginning treatment. The ins.co will send you a determination of benefits. This way, you know up front what the ins.co. will cover and what you will have to pay out of pocket. If you want to maximize you benefits, you may be able to have the implant done now and the crown done in January or later.