Question about a dentist

luvin_my_redneck_man · 05-01-2008, 04:45 PM

Here is a question for al of you. Have you ever went to a dentist and they said you need some minor work done such as a tooth pulled or a filling and then went back to have that done the next day by a seperate doctor in the same office only to find the new one wants you to have many fillings, a few root canals and a few teeth pulled?? This happened to me and I was wanting to know if this sounds right to anyone b/c i went from minor work to an ungoddly amount that my insurance wont cover. I went to the dentist 18 months ago and had one pulled and a few fillings and he did not see anything else. I had all the exrays done and one doc said one thing and another had a different opinion, please help me and tell me if this sounds right or if it has happened to you. thank you

magiccitymama · 05-01-2008, 04:54 PM

Well, I'm sure it happens often, but it might not be dishonesty. Some dentists have a more relaxed "we'll deal with other problems later" attitude. Sometimes they don't even mention other minor problems they see. Others want to create a plan of all the problems and start working right away to mark each one off.

But then again, that second dentist might want to do a lot of work that's not necessary, or not necessary right now.

Usually with x-rays the damage can be seen even by the patient. I've got a problem area above a very old crown, and it was obvious when the doctor showed me the x-ray. Have you seen the x-rays?

And you know your mouth best of all. Are you having any pain in these areas that second doctor pointed out? If not, I'd just say, "Well, this is what I can afford right now and it takes precedent over any future work."

luvin_my_redneck_man · 05-01-2008, 05:27 PM

Thank you and you have been helpful. I have seen the xrays but not seen anything other then the fillings i already have. He said the other ones are only visable to him because they are between teeth. I am going to see what is really going on, and seeing a different dentist in a completly different office, I am hoping this will clear up any problems and can get a reall answer. Thanks again and have a great day

Jess1216 · 05-01-2008, 05:49 PM

Hopefully this new dentist can provide you with the answers you're looking for.

My uncle is my dentist so I've been seeing him all my life & I'm bummed now that I can't because I married into the military and we live nowhere near him.

I agree with what the PP. Some dentists may view things differently and take a different approach. One thing that would make me question it though is at each visit they usually write some sort of treatment plan or things to follow up on at the next visit. So I would think the 2nd dentist could see what dentist #1 had in mind.

I think it was a good idea for you to go somewhere different. GL!

magiccitymama · 05-01-2008, 06:51 PM

Yes, I'm glad you're going to see a new dentist. When in doubt, get a second opinion.

Good luck. I'm going to the endodontist Monday and am praying he can save a tooth--that had a root canal over a decade ago!--so that I don't have to get some pricey implant there.

Pandora1151 · 05-02-2008, 12:51 AM

I would definitely go to a different dentist. I had this happen and when I went to a different dentist they told me that I didn't need anything done! The first dentist told me that I needed 2 cavities filled but I knew he was a scam artist (long story), I had just turned old enough to find my own dentist, etc so I walked out on him. I didn't go back to another dentist for a few years and when I did it was only because I was worried that if I really did have cavities they were probably out of control. New dentist told me I didn't have any cavities at all and showed me the x-rays to prove it.