Quote:
Originally Posted by doccrocker
Any three dentists will come up with at least 10 possible treatments, some similar and some different. Learn what the pros and cons of each are before making a decision.
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Sounds similar to my experience. Many years ago I went to a dentist who was near retirement and he said I didn't need any work done (good check up). Six months later he sold his practice and the new dentist said I had 8 cavities which would cost $800. The retiring dentist was coming in once a week so I went back to him and he said he still didn't see anything that needed to be done.
I went to a third dentist and he saw something totally different. He didn't see cavities but he saw teeth that he said needed to be capped. The cost: $1,200.
I then went to a 4th dentist, by recommendation from a friend. He was also near retirement, like the first dentist I mentioned. And, like the first dentist, he said I really didn't need any work done. Just one optional "spot" in front that he thought could use some work for cosmetic purposes. cost: $100
I think it was well worth going for a second, third and fourth opinion. Here I am 18 years later and none of those "spots" or "cavities" have become a problem. And the teeth that the third dentist said needed to be capped? They have never been capped and are doing just fine.
And there was another dentist who, many years ago, suggested that I have my lower front teeth pulled and put in a bridge. Ha! Sure glad I didn't have that done. That was about 10 years ago and my teeth are doing just fine.
When a dentist looks for something that may be a problem in the future and recommends doing something about it now, I believe that's known as practicing "agressive dentistry".