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

[PWMDMD]

Sounds like you provide good advice. Mine did sloppy work, refused to fix the obvious problems. But at least he had $4000/month worth of car payments and $9000 mortgages to cover and 3 kids in Ivy League schools to pay for.

I would have been much better off with honesty, not greed.

I never got into this thinking it was going to make me rich and I'm saddled with a conscience and an inability to sleep at night when I know I did something bad. I moved to central MA from CT because I had to find like-minded dentists to practice with to be happy. There are good and honest dentists out there and there are crooks. Unfortunately, it's not always clear which is which and many of the most affable dentists are crooks, but they're wildly successful because people like them.

 

[The motor guy]

So if I remove a tooth, what are the chances the rest of the teeth will start moving around? I'd rather do a watch and see approach, then do an implant if they start shifting

 

[Pew]

At the end of the day $16K for your health is well worth it. Its also why medical tourism exists, most people don't have $16K.

I might just have them pull it and call it a day since they're the back two and I don't chew on that side....but.... I'm also interested in the question below.

So if I remove a tooth, what are the chances the rest of the teeth will start moving around? I'd rather do a watch and see approach, then do an implant if they start shifting

 

[eljefino]

So if I remove a tooth, what are the chances the rest of the teeth will start moving around? I'd rather do a watch and see approach, then do an implant if they start shifting

Ask your dentist, either of them, what your options are. Read some mayo clinic or webmd ahead of time so you're more familiar with the terms.

It would seem that getting the broken tooth out should be your highest priority if funds are tight. Replacing it with something seems like the most common sense followup, then you can move on to the other side of your mouth if it makes sense.

 

[The motor guy]

Ask your dentist, either of them, what your options are. Read some mayo clinic or webmd ahead of time so you're more familiar with the terms.

It would seem that getting the broken tooth out should be your highest priority if funds are tight. Replacing it with something seems like the most common sense followup, then you can move on to the other side of your mouth if it makes sense.

He said the tooth will start laying over looking for it's neighbor. Could be 1 year could be in 10 years. Straight from the horses mouth.

 

[Nick1994]

You either need a filling or you don’t. Last year you didn’t. This year you do.

I’d spend my last penny and then scrap aluminum cans before I went without getting my teeth fixed.

So if I remove a tooth, what are the chances the rest of the teeth will start moving around? I'd rather do a watch and see approach, then do an implant if they start shifting

So far you are 0-1 using that approach.

Getting a tooth pulled and doing nothing with it is going to start a domino effect for your dental work for the rest of your life IMO.

 

[Vil_Riker]

And unfortunately insurance, or at least mine, doesn't cover implants. I have two I need to get extracted. With implants, $8k per tooth.

You need to look into medical tourism... Here is a highly regarded clinic in Georgia

https://www.richters.ge/en/

 

[The motor guy]

That's why the concept of "Second Opinions" was developed to deal with such situations as this.

Third opinions in this case.

 

[Tdbo]

Third opinions in this case.

Or, a second opinion of the second vendor.

 

[ATex7239]

So if I remove a tooth, what are the chances the rest of the teeth will start moving around? I'd rather do a watch and see approach, then do an implant if they start shifting

My dentist and oral surgeon said the back teeth are the most important to mouth and bone heath since that is where the jaw aligns and the majority of biting force is localized. When the back teeth are missing it changes the way you bite down (regardless of the side you crew on) and can cause problems with other the teeth around the missing tooth as well as with the bone. They said the front teeth are mostly cosmetic so it’s really up to the person. But the back teeth will affect mouth health over time so it’s truly a health concern.

I know it’s expensive. We had to save up for my procedure. But I figure if there is ever a reason to spend money/savings it’s on your health.

 

[The motor guy]

My dentist and oral surgeon said the back teeth are the most important to mouth and bone heath since that is where the jaw aligns and the majority of biting force is localized. When the back teeth are missing it changes the way you bite down (regardless of the side you crew on) and can cause problems with other the teeth around the missing tooth as well as with the bone. They said the front teeth are mostly cosmetic so it’s really up to the person. But the back teeth will affect mouth health over time so it’s truly a health concern.

I know it’s expensive. We had to save up for my procedure. But I figure if there is ever a reason to spend money/savings it’s on your health.

Well you can't even see the tooth when I smile. The one that I want pulled. It seems everyone has a different opinion. I've also heard that since the root will be missing, adjacent teeth will start falling out because the bone thinks it doesn't need to retain teeth in that area anymore. If I had to guess. I bet it depends on the person and only time will tell if they shift or not.

 

[cptbarkey]

My regular dentist retired and sold his practice to a new lady. I tried her a few times, then she "found" things that sounded like a money grab. That was 5 years ago since I fired her, what she found was a lie.

 

[The motor guy]

My regular dentist retired and sold his practice to a new lady. I tried her a few times, then she "found" things that sounded like a money grab. That was 5 years ago since I fired her, what she found was a lie.

I think when they ask when the last time you've been to the dentist was, just don't answer. Or say 6 months ago.

 

[1lieutenant]

My regular dentist retired and sold his practice to a new lady. I tried her a few times, then she "found" things that sounded like a money grab. That was 5 years ago since I fired her, what she found was a lie.

I have been practicing periodontics (diseases of the gums) since 1980. I try to be open and honest with my patients about what they need for treatment. As any health care practitioner, I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but patients need to know what I have found and how it needs to be treated to regain health, function and esthetics. Not every case involves all three. Most patients appreciate a thorough exam. I have had the occasion to be greeted with great skepticism, especially when the fees are discussed. I have heard it all. "Doc is this to pay for your Porsche (no, never owned one), yacht (same), second vacation home (yawn)." I always recommend they receive a second opinion and hope they stay with that doctor. If you don't trust me I don't want you in my practice.

 

[ATex7239]

I have been practicing periodontics (diseases of the gums) since 1980. I try to be open and honest with my patients about what they need for treatment. As any health care practitioner, I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but patients need to know what I have found and how it needs to be treated to regain health, function and esthetics. Not every case involves all three. Most patients appreciate a thorough exam. I have had the occasion to be greeted with great skepticism, especially when the fees are discussed. I have heard it all. "Doc is this to pay for your Porsche (no, never owned one), yacht (same), second vacation home (yawn)." I always recommend they receive a second opinion and hope they stay with that doctor. If you don't trust me I don't want you in my practice.

Clearly DIY home tooth repair is the way to go for skeptics. All you need is some whiskey, some basic hand tools, a cordless power drill, and YouTube right? Can’t be that hard.

 

[PWMDMD]

I have been practicing periodontics (diseases of the gums) since 1980. I try to be open and honest with my patients about what they need for treatment. As any health care practitioner, I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but patients need to know what I have found and how it needs to be treated to regain health, function and esthetics. Not every case involves all three. Most patients appreciate a thorough exam. I have had the occasion to be greeted with great skepticism, especially when the fees are discussed. I have heard it all. "Doc is this to pay for your Porsche (no, never owned one), yacht (same), second vacation home (yawn)." I always recommend they receive a second opinion and hope they stay with that doctor. If you don't trust me I don't want you in my practice.

This happens to me when I see a 3 year old with a mouth full of rot and recommend going to the OR. I ALWAYS hope they stay with the second opinion but 9.5 times out of 10 they come back completely on board and say, "Nope, they said the same thing you did but we liked you more." While it's a compliment, I'm never excited to start the relationship off this way but some of these people have become great patients.

 

[PWMDMD]

Clearly DIY home tooth repair is the way to go for skeptics. All you need is some whiskey, some basic hand tools, a cordless drill, and YouTube right? Can’t be that hard.

In residency we'd see people all the time who tried to superglue there crowns back in. Unfortunately, cyanoacrylate will turn a perfectly healthy tooth necrotic in no time at all.

 

[The motor guy]

This happens to me when I see a 3 year old with a mouth full of rot and recommend going to the OR. I ALWAYS hope they stay with the second opinion but 9.5 times out of 10 they come back completely on board and say, "Nope, they said the same thing you did but we liked you more." While it's a compliment, I'm never excited to start the relationship off this way but some of these people have become great patients.

There's nothing wrong with them double checking. My guess is you probably just don't want to work on a bunch of rotten teeth, because in the end they're not going to be happy with the outcome even if the worm was done right. Nobody likes an unhappy customer.

 

[The motor guy]

You would think with all the regulations they have they could put a ceiling in how much can be charged. The hvac industry is the same way.

 

[PWMDMD]

There's nothing wrong with them double checking. My guess is you probably just don't want to work on a bunch of rotten teeth, because in the end they're not going to be happy with the outcome even if the worm was done right. Nobody likes an unhappy customer.

No, I have no problem working on the teeth, it's what I'm trained to do. The issue tends to be extent of treatment needed and/or the general anesthesia. I don't blame anyone for second opinions, I recommend it the moment I get any push back and I certainly do not take it personally, but I also need to KNOW that the parents are really "onboard" and support my recommendations BEFORE I lay a finger on little Johnny in the OR. I'm trying to weed out the parents who are on the fence but for whatever reason aren't honest with me about it. These are the parents that have "buyers remorse" after giving informed consent and after everything is done. No one wins and I'm often also dealing with parental guilt where they feel guilty but lash out at the deliverer of bad news. So, parents need to be comfortable with my recommendations but I also need to be comfortable parents are really truly on board - it's a two way street. I have walked away from OR cases when the parents seemed to not be onboard.