What would you do - dentist related

[brenalexacamp]

I want to add- don't think of it as a scam- there are many different ways of thinking in dentistry- some are very conservative and others are very aggressive and some are in between. You have to feel comfortable with a dentist that matches your beliefs. Younger dentists have always been exposed to new gadgets, digital xrays, loupes, lights-can see so much more with magnification-

I have seen silver fillings in peoples mouths -that are like large lumps of silver! doesn't even look like a tooth. The dentist comes in and says "great" see you in 6 months I cringe-waiting for the tooth to crack under the gumline and be lost. Then I see dentists that want to fill every nook and cranny-sometimes I think I am blind!

Until you build a relationship- I would ask the dentist to show you in your mouth-he should have a camera that goes in your mouth and you can see it on the tv. Minimally show you under the big light with a hand mirror. If there are cracks in the tooth, the light will illuminate the tooth so you can see it. many times you cannot see decay on the xrays but you can see in the mouth. You have to be educated to make your own choices- you need a dentist that will take the few extra minutes to SHOW you the reason for doing something-or waiting to do it.

i worked for a dentist who wanted us to "sell" -i didn't have it in me- i see the huge old filling- I know they should have a crown- Will the person DIE if they don't do it this month? No-would be ideal but realistically if a crown costs 1100.00-mom has to make her mortgage payment, a braces payment, tuition- I would keep up with the cleanings and if they suggest more involved cleaning- do it! You can always build on a healthy foundation-if the supporting structure is weak- you won't have choices when the teeth need to be fixed.

 

[FINFAN]

I would see my old dentist, and I would think back to how *decorated* the new dentists office is...sometimes you can tell a lot by how much it costs to upkeep the office

 

[ilovesugar]

Just wanted to give a quick update. I did get a second opinion today and here were the results. I have 4 cavaties, not 7. There is absoultely no need for a crown, and my desntist said he cannot even see one tooth where I crown might have been an option.

So I will be going to him and spending my $300 OOP to get my 4 teeth filled and will not be going back to the dentist where I would have been shelling out $1300 OOP.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Just saw this thread. Good job going back to your old dentist. Second opinions are worth it! You saved yourself a lot of money and grief!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Good for you for getting a second opinion.

 

[ilovesugar]

Just saw this thread. Good job going back to your old dentist. Second opinions are worth it! You saved yourself a lot of money and grief!

Yep! And he did not even charge me for his exam or the extra x-rays he wanted taken. I would have had to pay for all of that OOP because my insurance only covers one visit every 6 months. So I was happy to hear that he did all of it "on the house".