Do Dentists give second opinions?

[ShallowsNole]

I had my regular cleaning and dental checkup today. The gentleman who had been my dentist for 15 years has retired, and a very nice lady dentist has taken his place.

Good news? I am healing nicely from my crown lengthening. The periodontist released me this morning, but my new dentist wants to wait a few more weeks before taking impressions for my permanent crown.

Bad news...Ok, my previous dentist told me I had one other tooth with a cavity, so I knew that. One thing at a time. Also, I have noticed a dark space develop between two other teeth, one of which already has a big filling. So I imagine that will require a crown, too. HOWEVER, after my cleaning and during my checkup, new dentist keeps calling out tooth numbers to her assistant, who is typing them in as fast as she can go. All total, she tells me I have EIGHT TEETH that require work. :shock: This does NOT include the one I've had surgery on.

Now that I have calmed down, I find it very difficult to believe that seven teeth decided to begin decaying in the last four months. I don't floss as often as I should, but I do manage it at least 2 to 3 times a week, and I brush with an electric toothbrush twice a day. I don't eat a lot of candy, but I do drink Diet Coke and sweet tea.

Current plan is to fill the ones I knew about, one at a time, plus get the crown I've already paid for. That should keep them busy until January, when a new year of dental insurance kicks in (my dentist is out-of-network but it still pays some). Meanwhile, does anyone think I should get someone else to look in there and tell me if I really have eight teeth decaying?

(Sorry to have written a novel...I'm just overwhelmed and . And if teeth was all I had going on medically, I might be able to deal with it, but it's not. Grrrr.)

 

[TreeFrog]

Absolutely, yes.

Some years ago, I had a dentist tell me that most of my fillings were failing and needed replacing. He reworked my whole mouth over about a 6 month period. In about 5 years, all HIS fillings failed and I got to buy a mouthful of crowns. I can't speak for your old and new dentists, but don't just take the new dentist's word for it. A checkup at another dentist is way cheaper than a mouthful of work.

 

[Romeosmydog]

Second opinion for sure. PM me and I will give you my secret dentist identity.

 

[seagrovegirl]

Shallows, I too went to the same dentist (last week) who replaced the one that retired. I like her alot and had the same concerns that you have. My projected dental work is over $4000.

This is what is happening; (because I asked, and wanted to know why the other doctor didn't find these concerns) The new dentist wants to give all patients a thorough check up and she gives a detailed plan on what needs to be done, now or in the future.

I apparantly have stress cracks on three molars that have metal fillings in them. I also have all of my wisdom teeth. My plan from the dentist is not immediate, but as insurance will pay, so my dental work, if I choose, can take up to 4 years without concern. She is being proactive which will save money in the long run.

It scared me, but in reality, I am 45 years old and had several fillings back in the late 60's and early 70's, these are the teeth to be concerned about. If I do nothing, the fillings will fall out (as they are doing now) and I may end up getting root canals on all of them or loosing the teeth. Instead, now I am aware of the potential for problems and can start being proactive with my oral health.

By all means, get a second opinion, she recommended I do so.

We were spoiled by the other dentist. This one is more proactive....and the reality of it can be hard to swallow.

 

[happy2Bme]

Dentists give second opinions?

I, too, had the now-retired dentist as my own for every year he was open. I, too, have been to the new dentist, as has my wife....and, we agree, she's nice. And, like with you, we've been told of futuristic calamities that will befall us that, ironically, were never mentioned previously.....and our dentist-gone-by, and the staff, were very thorough, at least in my case. Bottom line: remember that dentistry is a money-making endeavor, not a charitable cause. So, whatever can go wrong will be considered and remedies proffered, now or in the future, to keep the $$$ coming.

I'd get a second opinion.....just in case.

 

[TimeIsFree]

DEFINITELY get a second opinion!!!! My dentist is getting up there and will retire soon, and made a point of telling all his patients to be wary of anyone who suggests a bunch of work on your mouth, esp if it's replacing fillings because they are "old". most fillings should last a lifetime, unless they crack or a piece breaks off. unless the tooth beneath it is decaying or something, there should not be a need to remove and refill.

if they are "falling out", might you be grinding your teeth at night? could also be the cause of the stress cracks too. there is a custom mouthguard that works great if you are grinding, and is much cheaper than all that work. go with your gut instinct if something seems fishy about this dentist.

 

[Minnie]

Definitely get a second opinion, but I know in my case, due to lack of flouride as a child and very old fillings, I have a situation where my dentist does this when he looks at me,

Ok, this has to be fixed right now, this can wait for a while and we will watch them, and these are probably going to need something in the future.

Possibly the new dentist just lumped everything into one group, instead of immediate, wait and see and in the future.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I really appreciate the replies. REALLY. I am feeling much better than I did yesterday. I'm sure she is letting us know what she sees that could possibly be an issue. Like seagrovegirl, I too am 45 and had many teeth filled as a teenager. The recent perio procedure was directly due to a cracked filling, that allowed the whole dang tooth to rot. One of Dr. C's assistants told me about it six months before he did, and it was eight months after he told me that had anything done about it.

Also, in the interests of efficiency, I took yesterday off from work to see the periodontist, the podiatrist, the dentist, and get a mammogram and a haircut. 'Twas just a tad overwhelmed by the time I got done.

 

[happy2Bme]

Dentists give second opinions?

Nothing like a 50,000 mile check-up to jostle your thoughts!

 

[joho]

Wonder if she's counting on all of you for that big mortgage payment she just committed to?

No offense

I'd certainly get a second opinion!