Could my dentist be trying to rip me off and I should get another assessment?

[ironpony]

I haven't had a problem with cavities for quite a few years now, and I try to take care of myself.  My dentist retired and someone new took over,  but all of a sudden I have 3, plus two exposed routes he wants to fix.

I told my family about it and they see the same dentist since they have been going to that building for tradition, but two of my family members who saw the new dentist, all of a sudden have more cavities than usual as well compard to before, now.  So I just wonder if the new dentist is ripping us off, and if I should go get a second opinion from someone else?

The appointment to get the cavities drilled out is in two weeks so should I cancel and just hold off until I see someone else, or what do you think?

[Happy Lemming]

8 hours ago, ironpony said:

...and if I should go get a second opinion from someone else?

There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion....   That is what I would do (given your circumstances).

[ironpony]

If I do, will my current dentist think I am going behind his back or will this complicate things with him?

[Johnjohnson2017]

Get a second opinion. Find out which teeth are recommended to be filled from the first dentist and go to another dentist to get second opinion. You might need copies of xrays. 

Some might just be deep/stained grooves that might not be caries. Some dentists are aggressive, willing to fill even a stain/deep groove. Others are more conservative.

Also, the dentist that just bought the office has a large loan that he has to pay back. He might be aggressive for that reason. Did he show you the cavities? (using a camera?)

Get a second opinion. 

[Happy Lemming]

1 hour ago, ironpony said:

If I do, will my current dentist think I am going behind his back or will this complicate things with him?

If your current dentist gets upset that you are going to get a second opinion, he isn't worth keeping in the first place.

[ironpony]

True.

[trident_2020]

You don't need to tell your current dentist that you're getting a second opinion, nor do you need to tell the 2nd dentist that you were diagnosed with cavities.

 

[ironpony]

9 hours ago, Johnjohnson2017 said:

Get a second opinion. Find out which teeth are recommended to be filled from the first dentist and go to another dentist to get second opinion. You might need copies of xrays. 

Some might just be deep/stained grooves that might not be caries. Some dentists are aggressive, willing to fill even a stain/deep groove. Others are more conservative.

Also, the dentist that just bought the office has a large loan that he has to pay back. He might be aggressive for that reason. Did he show you the cavities? (using a camera?)

Get a second opinion. 

Oh okay but the next appointment I have in two weeks is to get the cavities filled.  It's kind of short notice to be asking for the teeth x-rays isn't?  Shouldn't I just cancel and go to new xrays at a new dentist?

[Wiseman2]

Don't let anyone treat you for anything when you have no confidence in their clinical judgement or question their ethics.

You can't undrill a tooth. What you can do is look up this dentist in terms of education, training and licensure.

Is your family paying or forcing you to go? If you don't want to go, don't.

You should be going to a dentist every 6 mos. for routine cleaning, exams and x-rays.

It's hard to tell if your former dentist missed this or your oral health has been neglected.

Edited December 3, 2020 by Wiseman2

[ironpony]

Well I haven't gone for a while because of covid and they were backed up so I was about a year and or more overdo, if that would make a difference in cavities.  As for whether or not I have confidence, in the new guy, I don't know. I just met him and the only thing I can go on is a spike in cavities, but also from a couple of other family members as well, under him.  However, we have been backed up because of covid and couldn't go for a while, if that makes a difference?

Edited December 3, 2020 by ironpony

[carhill]

What's your dental history? Any changes to your dental hygiene?

If something seems off to you, get a second opinion. Dentistry is a business and America is a capitalistic society which rewards the accumulation of money and wealth. Expect that to color *any* business interaction, from the person who pops one out of the womb to the undertaker who buries or incinerates one. It's all business. Nothing personal!

[ironpony]

Oh well, for a while in the last two years, I havent' brushed at the same times, as before, becuase of overtime at work.  I tried to make up for it, by brushing when I got home, but the times of the brushing were changed, if that makes a difference?

[carhill]

Some quick and dirty triage.....  If otherwise healthy, no cold/flu/sinus infections, etc, brush as usual, then gargle with a mouthwash that has alcohol in it. Feel any odd sensations? Let sit for an hour or two, then have someone smell your breath.  After, drink a glass of ice cold water, note any sensations. Rest, then drink a cup of hot tea, coffee or plain water at a temp you normally would. If there's issues, they should show up.

If you haven't historically been plagued with cavities and have been an adult for awhile, it's highly likely the trend will continue for some time, caveat being when you get to my age (60's) and age and wear can take its toll. Young though, get any supposed marked changes corroborated. That's my advice. Since I live far from dentists, I also keep dental ceramic and a cleaning kit around just in case. Came in handy one time thousands of miles from home when a crown came off when I stupidly chewed on some caramel. Fixed it and it's been fine ever since, some three years later. Indian dental ceramic, who knew, heh.

[Ruby Slippers]

It sounds suspicious to me. I'd absolutely get a second opinion. Do you research and find a dentist with 5-star reviews across the board. 

And yes, health care in America is 100% a business. So you're absolutely free to shop around for a better deal/better service. 

[ironpony]

Oh okay, well I am in Canada, but not sure that makes a difference.  But I'm 36 so maybe it's taking it's toll?  Most the cavities I have had were in my early 20s where I had about 14 of them, so I tried to take better care since then, but maybe because of the shift changes at work, plus the covid delay to get a cleaning, maybe that could have been it?

Edited December 3, 2020 by ironpony

[Ruby Slippers]

Oh, I didn't know you're in Canada. I don't know anything about the dental coverage there. 

[major_merrick]

I would definitely get a second opinion.  Dentists tend to be pretty eager to drill and fill, but that field is changing.  Acceptance of holistic methods combined with emerging research and technology is going to make the old ways a thing of the past pretty soon.

Did your dentist describe the cavity type/size/location? 

While I have NOT had time to research or find studies on this (nor would I assume studies by the establishment to be correct) I've had advice from older women in my life that has proved to be useful.  Here is my personal experience, so its worth what you paid for it!!!  For preventing cavities (or even healing small ones) I make sure to have a high level of Vitamin D in my system.  Teeth are essentially similar to bones, and benefit from the same vitamins and minerals.  Improving your levels of Vitamin D by taking supplements/pills or in the form of cod liver oil / butter oil can help you stay clear of the dentist.  I have no idea if it helps with root issues, but it seems to work with preventing cavities and treating small ones.

I rarely go to the dentist, and when I do go I either have no cavities or just very small ones.  I take my supplements, and go 6 months to a year later and there isn't a cavity in the same spot.  Not exactly science, but there is a certain amount of healing that I've personally observed.  My husbands kids rarely go, and he insists on hygiene and prevention and supplements  So far, it works for us. 

Schedule an appointment for a second opinion, especially about the root issue.  If it isn't causing pain, you can delay a bit and look into holistic methods at home.  Then get it looked at, and you'll have a better idea about making a final decision.  For long-term prevention, look into continuing good hygiene habits and add supplements to support dental/bone health and healing.

[ironpony]

Oh okay.  Thanks, that is interesting.  Well the dentist showed the x-rays and pointed them out.  He is the x ray expert, and can read them better than I could, so I can only by what she shows me, unless I am wrong?

[Wiseman2]

Ok, it all plays a role. Delayed routine care because of covid. Changes in your dental hygiene and diet,etc.

The dentist will go over your diagnosis and treatment plan. That's required by law.

However if you believe this dentist is drilling-for-dollars or some sort of quack, don't go. As an adult, it's up to you.

[Johnjohnson2017]

On 12/2/2020 at 11:08 PM, ironpony said:

Oh okay but the next appointment I have in two weeks is to get the cavities filled.  It's kind of short notice to be asking for the teeth x-rays isn't?  Shouldn't I just cancel and go to new xrays at a new dentist?

You can ask the next dentist to take the xrays, if you are ok paying for them. You don't have to tell him what the other dentist allegedly found.

[Pumaza]

Get a second opinion. If this dentist act funny after that ,get a new dentist.

Not because everyone is going there always means its good forever.

Things change with time and your needs to.So if its needed,change dentist.

[hokage240sx]

I had a dentist, say I had multiple cavities and that my insurance didn't cover the fillings they wanted. I told them I only wanted what the insurance covered and they through a fit. so I went to another dentist and it turned out I had only 1 cavity and everything was covered. Dentist have a bad reputation for trying to make some extra cash.

I would get a second opinion if your not comfortable with his diagnosis. 

[ShyViolet]

You know, I once had a dentist rip me off.  Years ago when I was young and naive, I was in my mid 20's, I went to a new dentist and he said "Oh, wow, you have 12 cavities."  I was like "what???"  Keep in mind I never had a history of issues like this before.

So I went ahead and got the cavities filled.  I would get like 3 done at a time, so I had to go back about 4 times to get them all done.  I had crappy insurance and so for each visit I had to pay a couple hundred dollars out of pocket.

So after that, I moved to a different area and never went to that dentist again.  Every dentist I have been to after that, when they X-rayed my teeth they said that most of these fillings that I got were so shallow that they were really unnecessary.  Only maybe two of the fillings were actually legitimate.  

Edited December 6, 2020 by ShyViolet

[ironpony]

Oh okay, that's interesting.  Well I could go to someone else and cancel this appointment to have them filled on shorter notice.  It's just that if I do, I fear that if I go to someone else, I have to pay for new x-rays, and what if they show them same thing?  Then I am paying for the cost of the cavities, and the exposed roots, plus the additional new x-ray appointment.

So there is that to worry about to.

When it comes to my new dentist I know that the exposed roots are real, and legitimate, because he point to them in my mouth and I can see them.  But I can only go by what he points out on the x ray when it comes to the cavity though, and I don't know how to read an x-ray so I cannot tell for the cavities if they are legit or not.

[mark clemson]

Maybe. I did have a dentist once try to rip me off. I went to another one and he said I had none of the problems mentioned.

I knew the guy was sketchy when he claimed some of my fillings appeared to be "leaking". I also have really good dental health (for my age) and he tried to make things sound "scary." He did not appear stupid and I assume had a real DDS, so he was apparently just arrogant enough to assume ALL his customers were dumb enough to be taken advantage of and not think that was baloney. Guy was a real sociopath IMO.

Edited December 8, 2020 by mark clemson