New Dentist... 10 fillings!!!???

Billie-S

Eeek definately get a second opinion/new dentist. This sounds extreme.

I come from a generation where the dentists used to drill into the perfectly healthy teeth of teenagers, simply to make money, and me - and many I know born in the 60s, now have a mouthful of teeth that is pretty much a third amalgam!

A dentist I go to now confirmed this to me, and he said, while there are plenty of dentists who are good and honest, there are a few who DO try an make money from people; willingly drilling and filling teeth that are OK. My 2 (adult) daughters thankfully, did not grow up in this generation, and their teeth are perfect: well pretty near to it

scooby088

There was a report a few years ago on panarama I think that made allegations that some dentists just do unnecessary fillings to bring in more money to the practice, probably still goes on, you could always ask for a second opinion.

olias

When I was younger, I used to get a check up every six months. Surprise surprise, I was always told I needed fillings. I ended up stopping going altogether. I have not been to a dentist now for about 25 years, and apart from an occasional toothache which passes, I have had no problems and have a full set of healthy teeth.

Make your own mind up on that one!

Olias

pulliptears

Similar thing happened to DH, new dentist was quoting about £200 worth of work from crowns to fillings. Being very dubious he went elsewhere and had a simple scale and polish.
That was 17 years ago and he's still not had a crown or a filling.

I think its incredibly important to find a Dentist you are 100% comfortable with and trust implicitly especially if you are dental phobic. Mine recently retired and his replacement was not a pleasant man. I'm fortunate to have found a lovely lady dentist nearby though who understands I'm a bit nervous and doesn't 'find work'.

starrybee

Did the dentist take and show you x-rays?

Bazey

I think the dentist is attracted to you both.

When I was 14 I had to go to the orthodontist for regular checks whilst I had braces. On my second visit a very attractive lady in her late 30's early 40's came in to the surgery, performed a number of checks on me, whilst rubbing her breasts on my arm which was resting on the armrest of the chair. I kept quiet whilst this went on for a few minutes but I could feel myself blushing.

She then left the room, and the real dentist appeared, he did exactly the same checks and then sent me on my way.

I've never truly gotten over that incident.

Toothsmith

Problems like this often crop up when people see a different dentist.

Without seeing you, it's impossible to say which one is 'right' and it's even possible that both of them could be 'right'! This is something the public often find difficult to grasp - but there isn't always a black or white answer to 'does this tooth need a filling'?

The dental 'cons':-

Dentists make up fillings to make more money - there is certainly an element of this that goes on in some practices. Like all jobs and professions there is a bad minority in dentistry too. BUT - in this day and age, on the NHS particularly, and maybe also on some monthly payment schemes there is ALSO the fact that the more fillings/treatment somebody needs, the more money the dentist LOSES - so undertreatment is also something that should be looked out for.

Either way - the dentist should be able to easily demonstrate to you, either through x-rays, or intra oral pictures, or even by showing you a mirror - just why the fillings he says you need are indeed needed. What people often DON'T ask often enough is for the dentist to explain himself if he says everything is OK!!! They're just happy to get out the door!! So it's always the dentist who says everything is OK that is the 'good guy' and the one who says things are needed is the 'money grabbing *****'


The thing is - there are several ways of doing things.

There are dentists who believe that as soon as you see a small dark stain on a tooth, you should go in and do a small filling to seal it up and prevent it from getting bigger. There are other dentists who think, 'I'll just keep a eye on that and see what it looks like in 6 months'. maybe even giving the patient some preventative advice on what they could do to stop it progressing into something that would definitely need a filling. (This is what a dentist SHOULD be doing if they leave something alone)

Also with old fillings - a filling can look quite rough and chipped, but still be doing it's job. But - it could fall out the next day. When should the dentist say 'it's time to change that one'? Before it falls out, or after? Which would you prefer? To have fillings replaced slightly more than might be necessary, or to have one fall out whilst on holiday? It's not an easy choice for patient or dentist.

Your old dentist has probably been watching a few early cavities, or old fillings, and decided that they look pretty much the same as they did the last time he saw you, so no action is necessary. The new dentist has probably seen these same things but decided that it's best to get them sorted out.

It doesn't necessarily make one of them right and one of them wrong - it's simply a difference of opinion.

I would ask the dentist just to explain in a bit more detail as to why they think the fillings are necessary (They shouldn't mind doing this - it is all part of obtaining 'informed consent'). Then see what you think, and whether you feel they should be done. Maybe even ask your old dentist what he thinks about it once the need has been explained.

Oh - and as for nothing hurting. The nerve of the tooth is right in the middle. By the time the damage has got far enough fr something to hurt, things really have gone a long way, so that is not a good indicator.

Rainbowstar_2

I guess the best thing is to ask for a full explanation of their findings. Do the fillings really have to be done now or could they be monitored for a while? My mums dentist passed away and when the new one came on board she too was told she had all sorts of problems. She went elsewhere for a second opinion and was told that the work was not needed.

Ames

Well, I didn't make it to the dentist (or an art exhibition I was supposed to be going to). The dentist receptionist wasn't happy with the late cancellation, although since they only gave me 4 days notice of an appointment that I told them I'd have trouble attending I'm trying not to be too upset (although I've felt crap about it all day). When they said that I wouldn't be able to late cancel again I told them it's not a problem because I'm moving to another practice. All they said was 'so you don't want another appointment then'.