One dentist found a ton wrong that another one didn't?

T

The motor guy

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Nov 29, 2009
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I'm very confused. About a year ago one of my pre molars broke in half. They said I could get a root canal and a crown put on or pull it. Fast forward to just a few days ago, I go get a second opinion on what I should do as I don't want it to get infected and cause more problems. Anyways, this particular dentist which was more thorough than the other finds all kinds of stuff wrong. He says the broken tooth, needs to be pulled as there isn't enough to attach a crown to. He says I need a root canal on the same exact tooth on the other side, and about 3 fillings done. He referred me to an oral surgeon and an endodontic for the root canal. What I don't understand is why didn't the first dentist mention all this? They took xrays. We're probably talking about $6-$7k once the surgeon and orthodontist gets paid. The dentist alone wants $3500 The only thing I can think of is maybe the first dentist thought that's all I was worried about?

I guess I could always just have both pre molars pulled out and then keep an eye out and make sure they don't start shifting around. Tooth number 13 and 4

Opinions? I almost think I need a third opinion now. All I wanted was a simple tooth pulled, and everytime you go to a dentist they want to do a whole exam, then tell you they don't pull teeth. This second dentist lied to me as I asked if they did tooth extractions before I even set up the appointment.
 
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AZjeff said:
The dental exams were a year apart. You waited a year and haven't had a broken tooth fixed yet?
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True, but I don't think a year is long enough to need 3 fillings and a root canal in addition to the original broken tooth removed. I think the first dentist was either careless or the second dentist is trying to scam me. So in one year I have 4 more teeth that are messed up?
 
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The motor guy said:
True, but I don't think a year is long enough to need 3 fillings and a root canal in addition to the original tooth that was broken. I think the first dentist was either careless or the second dentist is trying to scam me. So in one year I have 4 more teeth that are messed up?
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No. You could need three fillings in just a years time. BTW-Dentists are like Doctors in the regards to treatment. Some will have a different opinion of what needs to be done. More often than not-work that one Dentist recommends the other doesn't, means that work will eventually need to be done.
Obviously - waiting for a year with a broken tooth in one's mouth-means dental care is not the highest priority-for personnel or financial reasons.
 
The motor guy said:
True, but I don't think a year is long enough to need 3 fillings and a root canal in addition to the original broken tooth removed. I think the first dentist was either careless or the second dentist is trying to scam me. So in one year I have 4 more teeth that are messed up?
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No idea. I know my dentist will show me what he's seeing on the xrays. Cavities show up clearly. It seems like the root problem shows up too but it's been a while since I've needed one. Neither dentist explained his findings on the xrays to you?
 
AZjeff said:
No idea. I know my dentist will show me what he's seeing on the xrays. Cavities show up clearly. It seems like the root problem shows up too but it's been a while since I've needed one. Neither dentist explained his findings on the xrays to you?
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They did, but I don't know what I'm looking at. It's not like it's going to jump out at me and I can say what's all this other stuff over here? but like I said the first dentist only discussed the broken tooth
 
It's not common, but neglected tooth problems can get into bone around the mouth, and if that does happen, major reconstructive surger(ies) are required.

Also, if you are prescribed reclasp or any other meds for bone loss, being on those can make even an extraction more risky. Ask about meds you should avoid before extractions or other major work.

BTW, you should be seeing a dentist every 6 months, even if you don't have any problems.
 
Now, while there are some flim flam artists ( and I found one by accident a couple of years ago, in a dentistry chain, Aspen Dental, which recommneded all sorts of gum programs to the tune of 3k , all to be purchased at his office and they gave the same "diagnosis" to 3 other people at my work, amnd they had a "finnace office" like a used car dealership, which tipped me off since it showed they Routinely prescribe unneccessary work that insurers will refuse to cover :LOL: ) they are the exception.
At least for now.
I would trust your most recent exam, it does sound plausible based on the info you gave.
But exams are not expensive you can always get a 2nd opion.
 
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My wife works in the dental field, you have Dr's that are on your side and are fair, you have very few Dr's that actually put stuff off till it is really bad, (very rare, but they are out there). Then you have the (stock broker) Churn Meister who travels a lot, has cabin payments, Mercedes payments and does work they shouldn't be doing. But, hey......"He has a lifestyle to uphold," and you are his income source. Just saying......... She's seen it all.

As far as places like Aspen Dental, "the big corporate money machines". Notorious Churn Meisters, I would never go to those. Not the best Dr's there too.
 
I needed a substantial bone graft with my cracked molar extraction. I wait too long and the bone receded quite a bit. Without the graft the implant wouldn’t hold. Now I technically didn't wait per se. I brought up the pain during my cleanings/check ups but the X ray never showed it and it wasn’t visible to the naked eye. They didn’t recommend pulling what appeared to be a perfectly good tooth. Which I can appreciate. After a while it got worse so a CAT scan was done. Yep, there it was. A huge crack. Couldn’t be saved so an implant was the only option.

All that’s to say, maybe the first doc couldn’t see it with the X ray and inspection alone. Not the first time that has happened to me BTW. I have had fractures that I lived with for a while because an x-ray didn’t show it. No fun. But it happens. Also waiting can cause additional problems around the damaged area. Similar to how bad shocks can wear out tires and other suspension components premature. It’s all connected. Lastly docs are people too. They have bad days and make mistakes. Some are good and some bad. It’s all part of the human experience. No sense in being upset about it. Just get another opinion and move on.

Definitively recommend getting the work done. You won’t regret it. Or realize how bad it really was until you have the contrast to compare it to. An unhealthy mouth is something that can be habituated to but it doesn’t go away on its own. It will only get worse.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
 
Kira said:
My dentist of >30 years said those large dental outfits have guys on the payroll who never touch an instrument.
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I was there for two hours. Never heard a single noise that sounded like a dental office which I thought was odd.
 
The thing to remember about dentists is that not all of them graduated at the top of the class. I had the same dentist for 40 years (he started his practice when I was 2 years old and retired when I was 42) and he was great! He knew about my car accident in 1988 and that it caused me to have a dead tooth up front, but he would check it every once in a while to make sure I didn’t need a root canal. After he retired the new dentist did all of these tests and came to the conclusion that I needed one. But I got a second opinion from my ex wife’s dentist (who is an amazing dentist!) and he confirmed that I didn’t need a root canal. I immediately switched to him. He drives a 2022 Porsche GT3 so that helped my decision 🤪
 
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