What would you do - dentist related

[ilovesugar]

So I used to go to a dentist that I liked. I thought they were honest and were really good with me and my fear of dentists.

Well, we moved and the old dentist was pretty out of the way, so I decided to find a new one. I will admit, it has been about 2 years since I have been to the dentist so I was not expecting a perfect outcome. Anyway, I go to this new dentist which is a newer office with two younger dentists that own and run it. I go through the whole x-ray and exam with the hygentist. She said that nothing was jumping out at her but there may be a couple of spots we just want to watch. Ok, I can handle that. She also told me that all 4 of my fillings are silver and those tend to break down after time and that mine where showing some wear, but nothing alarming. Funny, since I got one of them about 3 years ago. How could it be breaking down already?

So she finishes up and goes to get the dentist to take a look. He took a VERY quick look at my x-rays and then poked around in my mouth for a few minutes. He did not do the mouth cancer exam that I have had done in the past, but maybe they don't do those anymore. After he finishes he proclaims that I have 8 cavaties and need a crown on one of my teeth. Of course 4 of them are under my already existing silver fillings that now need to be taken out and replaced with composite fillings (which my insurance does not cover). There is not a chance in hell that I am going back there and having 8 teeth worked on from this guy. I am 36 years old and have had a total of 4 cavaties my entire life, how do I all of a sudden have 8 of them?

So needless to say, I won't be going back there and will be returning to my old dentist. I was wondering if I should go to him and get a second option. Obviously my insurance won't cover that because they only allow one exam every 6 months. My old dentist said that if I can bring in the x-rays that they took yesterday at this new dentist, they will do the exam for $55.00. That seems really reasonable to me. So what would you do? Just wait 6 months and go in to my old dentist and see what they say? Or go and pay the $55 and have them look at them now? None of my teeth are really bothering me but I don't want to make something worse if it really is a problem. If I do go for the second opinion, do I just call the old dentist and tell them I want to pick-up the x-rays? Will they give me grief about it?

 

[MM27]

You have no loyalty to the new dentist, so I would either find someone new in your area or return to the old dentist if it's not too too far.

My dentist recently left the practice I've been going to since I was little. I loved her, she was really thorough and made sure everything was perfect when she filled a cavity or did other work. I don't know how I feel about the girl that replaced her. I'm going to go one more time before I make a decision, but I look at it this way, it's a service that I pay for and I need to be happy.

 

[7165red]

Years ago I had a problem with a new dentist and I wanted my xrays and was told I couldn't have them but they would send them to the dentist of my choice. I later found a new dentist and started with new xrays.I believe this new dentist will send your xrays to your other dentist.

 

[Imzadi]

A great dentist is worth gold - or in your case, silver. I'd pay the $55 for the peace of mind. Your new dentist is supposed to send the x-rays on to another dentist, if you request it. They are yours. It's also to prevent getting too much radiation from having excessive x-rays done.

 

[Phlip]

I would call the new Dentist office and tell them when you will be by to pick up the xrays. If your teeth aren't bothering you, and you had them cleaned at the new dentist I wouldn't bother with a new exam from the old Dr., I would just wait the 6 mos and go when the insurance would pay.

If the new office staff gives you a problem-ie asks why you need them etc, just tell the the truth, you want a second opinion before shelling out all that money for work on 8 teeth.

Did you ask the new Dr. to show you on the xrays why he felt you needed work on 8 teeth?

I've had old amalgam fillings for ever-and they are huge. Replacing them with other filling material isn't an option, I've had to have them crowned. They crack etc. I had 3 done at the same time, and while I would rather be doing something else, it wasn't too bad. Now one needs a root canal, but it doesn't hurt, and we are taking the wait and see with it. Per the endodontist that I see.

Good luck-

 

[ilovesugar]

Did you ask the new Dr. to show you on the xrays why he felt you needed work on 8 teeth?


Good luck-

Yes and he showed me them and said, "well, you can't really see them on the x-ray - but they are there" on pretty much all of them.

 

[Heidict]

Your name is I Love Sugar and you have only had 4 cavities in your lifetime? Good job!!

I would go to the old dentist. Get the x-rays from the new dentist and don't look back. If you are concerned, then pay the $55 for the exam. If you are not the type to let it bother you over the next 6 months, don't have the money or your teeth don't bother you, then wait 6 months so the insurance will pay.

Oh, and let us know what the old dentist says. I'm curious to see if the new dentist was trying to scam you or if he really did find that many cavities.

 

[mamamary]

Your name is I Love Sugar and you have only had 4 cavities in your lifetime? Good job!!

I would go to the old dentist. Get the x-rays from the new dentist and don't look back. If you are concerned, then pay the $55 for the exam. If you are not the type to let it bother you over the next 6 months, don't have the money or your teeth don't bother you, then wait 6 months so the insurance will pay.

Oh, and let us know what the old dentists says. I'm curious to see if the new dentist was trying to scam you or if he really did find that many cavities.

I just noticed her name too. I bet she does have 8 cavities. Sorry - just kidding. If your mouth is not bothering you I'd wait the 6 mos. but $55 isn't bad if you would rather have piece of mind.

 

[RitaZ.]

Get the second opinion.

 

[Principessa1284]

This happened to me!!! Definitely pay the $55 and get the second opinion sometime soon - it's SO worth it for the piece of mind!!

I too have a huge fear of dentists and finally found one i thought i liked - i went there, TOLD them about my awful gag reflex and the girl was so bad I ended up gagging and crying like crazy - they thought i was insane. Then finally the hygienist came to take a look and said she couldn't clean my teeth since i had neglected them for so long (it had been about 2 years since i'd been to a dentist, too. it's not like i wasn't brushing them!) and i had to have a special procedure done to clean them which would be $80 ON TOP OF insurance AND that i had 2 cavities that she couldn't see on the x-ray. I was so upset and pissed off that I left, and didnt go to another dentist for 4 months. Went to the new guy and he was AWESOME!! The girl who did my xrays was SO careful and worked with my gag reflex, did a normal cleaning, and then the dentist said he indeed saw a weak spot, but it definitely wasn't a cavity. Then he asked me why I was so surprised, and I told him what the other office had said and he rolled his eyes and said it sounded like they were "teeth salesmen."

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I'd go back to your old dentist and get the 2nd opinion.

It's worth the $55 for peace of mind. (and if you really DO have 8 cavaties, better to take care of it now than later.) We had the same thing happen to us....DH switched jobs, and our dentist wasn't on the policy. The one we chose off of the ins. co website was a scam artist. Fortunately, our old dentist was really nice, and referred us to a great dentist friend of his who did accept our new insurance.

 

[EdiePA]

I'd get the second opinion. BUT, I'd do it now. If you in fact do have decay, it can progress alot in six months time.

Edie

 

[Gigi22]

I can speak to the durability of properly done (or should that be 'installed'?) silver colored fillings. I have about 4 that are approximately 40 years old. I had to get two removed because the tooth cracked, resulting in replacement of the filling and reconstruction of the tooth in one case and a crown in the other.

 

[Christine]

I would get the second opinion. I would also call my insurance company and explain to them EXACTLY what you've posted here. Ask them if they can/will pay part of your visit to the old dentist for a second opinion. In the longrun, it may save your insurance money if you decide the new dentist was upselling you.

I think many years ago, you might have gotten some help from the insurance company and got part of the visit paid. Everything is so black and white now, you probably won't but it never hurts to ask.

 

[NonScents]

If a dentist said to me "You can't see it on the xray but you have a cavity" I would ask him how he knows it is there? If he can see things not on the xray why bother with the xray in the first place?

If you are not having any problems, I would get my xrays now (so you have them in case pain unexpectedly starts), and either return to the first dentist in 6 months or seek a third opinion.

Many dentists seem to be on a mission to replace any silver fillings they find. Sometimes there are legit health issues for the patient, sometimes it is a financial opportunity for the dentist.

 

[SandrA9810]

It's possible to need to replace a silver filling, but it's not always true. I had a silver filling fall out just after a few years because it stuck to a Jolly Rancher that I had in my mouth. My grandmother has silver fillings and dentures that are about 30yrs old with no issues what so ever. It just depends on the care that the dentist provides to the patient.

I'd go back to the first dentist for a second opinion. And he'll probably tell you that you don't need to worry about your current 4 fillings. When your six months are up, select another dentist on your plan and give them a try. Because if you try to find a new dentist with no insurance, you're gonna pay a lot for it. Sounds like you want a dentist a lot closer to you. Although if you're only going every couple of years, sounds like seeing your old dentist wouldn't be too hard.

 

[bumbershoot]

Your name is I Love Sugar and you have only had 4 cavities in your lifetime? Good job!!

I noticed that too.

If a dentist said to me "You can't see it on the xray but you have a cavity" I would ask him how he knows it is there? If he can see things not on the xray why bother with the xray in the first place?

Definitely.



When we were trying to find a SANE pediatric dentist for DS, he saw 3 of them inside around 10 months, and our insurance paid for it all. Don't know why, but they did!

Have the old dentist request the xrays, it will be easier on you just in case the new guy has a little tantrum about it.

And if, ultimately, you want to go back to the old guy...see what his cash rates are. Once DH has some more work done, we might very well drop our dental insurance, b/c it's about the same cost per year to pay for the insurance as it is to have 2 visits each. And what they cover beyond the normal visits just isn't THAT much for us...we're strongly considering not being limited to the insurance...

 

[minniecarousel]

My Mom signed up for a supplemental policy that would cover dental visits. Very few dentists were on the list. The first one left food between her teeth after cleaning (yuk!). So in 6 months, she switched to another one that kept her waiting. She never got a cleaning, but they gave her a huge list of things that HAD to be done. She was in her mid-to-late 80's and had all her own teeth. We took the list to my dentist who was appalled! Mom dropped the supplemental policy and paid out-of-pocket to go to my dentist.

So, yes, much to the dismay of wonderful dentists, there are some out there who are looking to make big bucks!

I'd either get your x-rays or have them sent to your previous dentist. Pay the $55 and pledge to your old dentist that you will never stray again!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

WWID? I would just pay the 55 and go to the old dentist.

 

[pixiefairy]

I have a fear of dentists too (not totally irrational, but that's a whole other story, lol). I completely understand finding one you really like and wanting to stick with them, regardless of distance. I would certainly get a second opinion...it sounds a little shady to me. Get your xrays and bring them to the old dentist...have him look...I think $55 is reasonable for a second opinion. Especially if it saves you money in the long run.