- Joined
- Apr 18, 2002
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I know that that VAST majority of dentists are honest, and it may very well be that mine is, too. However, after two year's worth of care, I am starting to wonder if I am being "had".
I have always had regular dental care, and for my entire life, up until my first visit with my current dentist (Dr. C), I had only one cavity, and that was several years ago. On my first visit with Dr. C, I was told that I had three cavities. I put off getting them filled for a few months because I found it really difficult to get time off work to go. I called to get them filled about six months later, hoping that I could do the fillings and my cleaning at the same time. I was told that this was not possible, that I would have to get another cleaning and exam FIRST before she could do the fillings. I couldn't understand why (other than the fact that my insurance could be billed for two visits). Obviously the cavities would not have gone away. Is it possible that something could happen to a cavity in six months that could significantly change the way she would fill them? I ask this in all seriousness because I realize I am not a dentist and don't know the standard of care.
I did wind up getting the fillings done. Now it seems that each time I go, another two or three cavities are found. She always makes me come back for multiple visits to get them filled, usually because she doesn't want to numb me bilaterally, or on both the top and bottom at once. (This is kind of a problem for me, because it's hard enough to get off work to go once every six months, much less numerous times in one month!) I believe I have had more than ten cavities filled in the last two years.
This just all seems kind of fishy to me. I guess it's possible that I just have teeth that suddenly went south in the last two years, but I am starting to wonder if some of these are nonexistent cavities. Before you jump all over me, I don't want actual medical/dental advice (because I know that no one can tell me over an internet forum if my teeth suck or not) I was instead hoping you folks could help fill me in about some standard of care issues, because I am hopelessly clueless.
1) Is it typical to insist on a second exam after a time lapse before proceeding with fillings?
2) Is it typical to make a patient get cavities filled one at a time over multiple visits because of problems with numbing multiple areas of the mouth at once?
3) (I hope I don't get killed for this one) Have you heard of or encountered dentists that will fill nonexistent cavities in order to make more $$, or am I just being totally paranoid?
I already know that the best thing to do is get a second opinion. I wish I had done that when I had the chance. Unfortunately, I have already had all the fillings done. If I am told about any more cavities, I think I will definitely get a second opinion. Am I wrong to question my dentist, or does this also seem a bit funny to you?
I have always had regular dental care, and for my entire life, up until my first visit with my current dentist (Dr. C), I had only one cavity, and that was several years ago. On my first visit with Dr. C, I was told that I had three cavities. I put off getting them filled for a few months because I found it really difficult to get time off work to go. I called to get them filled about six months later, hoping that I could do the fillings and my cleaning at the same time. I was told that this was not possible, that I would have to get another cleaning and exam FIRST before she could do the fillings. I couldn't understand why (other than the fact that my insurance could be billed for two visits). Obviously the cavities would not have gone away. Is it possible that something could happen to a cavity in six months that could significantly change the way she would fill them? I ask this in all seriousness because I realize I am not a dentist and don't know the standard of care.
I did wind up getting the fillings done. Now it seems that each time I go, another two or three cavities are found. She always makes me come back for multiple visits to get them filled, usually because she doesn't want to numb me bilaterally, or on both the top and bottom at once. (This is kind of a problem for me, because it's hard enough to get off work to go once every six months, much less numerous times in one month!) I believe I have had more than ten cavities filled in the last two years.
This just all seems kind of fishy to me. I guess it's possible that I just have teeth that suddenly went south in the last two years, but I am starting to wonder if some of these are nonexistent cavities. Before you jump all over me, I don't want actual medical/dental advice (because I know that no one can tell me over an internet forum if my teeth suck or not) I was instead hoping you folks could help fill me in about some standard of care issues, because I am hopelessly clueless.
1) Is it typical to insist on a second exam after a time lapse before proceeding with fillings?
2) Is it typical to make a patient get cavities filled one at a time over multiple visits because of problems with numbing multiple areas of the mouth at once?
3) (I hope I don't get killed for this one) Have you heard of or encountered dentists that will fill nonexistent cavities in order to make more $$, or am I just being totally paranoid?
I already know that the best thing to do is get a second opinion. I wish I had done that when I had the chance. Unfortunately, I have already had all the fillings done. If I am told about any more cavities, I think I will definitely get a second opinion. Am I wrong to question my dentist, or does this also seem a bit funny to you?
