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re: OT Dentists - Over-diagnosing cavities
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:19 pm to HurricaneDunc
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:19 pm to HurricaneDunc
Of course they are but it's not nearly as ridiculous as what they are doing with braces and wisdom teeth.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:23 pm to HurricaneDunc
Root Canals are even worse.
Most of them are even competent to work on one even if it is a legit problem.
I know an Endodontist that makes a living all day long doing nothing but fixing Dentist's F ups on often enough unnecessary root canals.
Most of them are even competent to work on one even if it is a legit problem.
I know an Endodontist that makes a living all day long doing nothing but fixing Dentist's F ups on often enough unnecessary root canals.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:27 pm to bigblake
And then you get to replace them every 10 years!
And then they drill too deep and you need a root canal!
And then they drill too deep and you need a root canal!
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:28 pm to HurricaneDunc
quote:
The wife and I have been going to the same dentist for about 3 years. It seems like clockwork that every other visit they find 1-2 cavities for each of us (meaning once a year they find this). We're starting to find it a bit interesting since we've as we've never had more cavities than when we started going to this office. As a reference, I had never had a cavity before and the wife has only had 2 before. We're both early thirties.
Every dentist has his threshold for what he deems a watchable lesion and what needs to be filled. I truly believe that the best dentistry is the least dentistry and I use that philosophy to guide my diagnosis as well as xrays, explorer (to check the pits and fissures and to check the feel of the enamel), the patient's oral hygiene and what medications the patient takes and foods/drinks that they eat.
For example, a new patient that hasn't been to the dentist in years and has poor oral hygiene and diet, will get treated more aggressively than someone who has good oral hygiene and diet. A patient that has a high caries rate as evidenced by the number of fillings and crowns in their mouth would also be treated likewise.
I often see patients that are middle aged and a few previous fillings with a sticky groove in one molar tooth. If it is a new patient to me, I would probably not fill it, since it has obviously been there for quite some time and hasn't progressed. Remember, the best dentistry is the least dentistry.
I just saw a new patient, mid thirties, that had been diagnosed with needing several cavities filled. When I examined him, I saw that he had a couple of shallow filling placed recently in two adjacent molars. When I examined the rest of the teeth, I saw a few deep narrow grooves, but none that needed to be filled since he had good hygiene, no meds, a decent diet and low caries incidence. He was sure that he had some fillings that had been previously diagnosed by his former dentist and was surprised that I didn't find anything. He asked me if his former dentist had scammed him and I explained my philosophy and not wanting to throw anyone under the bus told him that maybe our philosophies differed.
quote:
Any opinions on over diagnosing cavities? They mentioned they were being "conservative" on their approach, but I can't imagine getting one to two fillings a year for the next 30 years....
Over diagnosing does happen, but I believe that it is less common than some would believe. If you are the least bit suspicious of the diagnosis you receive, by all means get a second or even third opinion. Most dentists will offer a free consult for a second opinion, as it is a chance to build good will and get to meet a new, possibly long term, patient.
Good luck.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:29 pm to TigerGman
quote:
I know an Endodontist that makes a living all day long doing nothing but fixing Dentist's F ups on often enough unnecessary root canals.
I believe that you know an endodontist, but I don't believe that they can tell that a previous root canal was unnecessary.
Just saying.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:37 pm to ruzil
I was upsold a treating called VELscope. Just looked like UV light but it cost like $70.00.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:39 pm to ruzil
I will log in on all my alter accounts so I can give you more up votes.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:44 pm to ruzil
root canals are one of the biggest scams in medicine imo
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:53 pm to abitabrewed4LSU
quote:
I was upsold a treating called VELscope. Just looked like UV light but it cost like $70.00.
I really don't think this is an upsell. It's just a bit of technology that helps dentists more effectively diagnose suspicious lesions that may be oral cancer.
They should have explained the rationale for doing the test, the associated costs and any insurance coverage before doing the test. If they did this, and you agreed, then you can't complain. Hopefully, the test was negative.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:56 pm to ruzil
quote:
ruzil
Thanks
I think I'll be getting a second opinion. I hate to switch dentists but I've really lost a bit of trust with this guy.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:59 pm to Tino
My dentist was remarkable compared to prior ones in that he was optimistic about the status and didn't look to find things, then he retired :/
Posted on 6/16/15 at 9:59 pm to HurricaneDunc
X-rays don't lie. And they don't take a rocket scientist to read them.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 10:01 pm to tigerbacon
quote:
X-rays don't lie. And they don't take a rocket scientist to read them.
Please explain.
Posted on 6/16/15 at 10:19 pm to HurricaneDunc
Don't go to a corporate dentist. Those guys get paid off of production. It's like they have a quota to meet and your mouth is the gateway to more money. Don't do it!
Posted on 6/16/15 at 10:21 pm to tigerbacon
Not all cavities show up on x rays and I guarantee you don't know how to read one
Posted on 6/16/15 at 11:05 pm to NewIberiaHaircut
quote:
Don't go to a corporate dentist. Those guys get paid off of production.
How do you think a private practice dentist gets paid?
Posted on 6/16/15 at 11:15 pm to ruzil
I agree, they have all the incentive to find something, that's how they get paid. Unfortunately a lot of people having unnecessary procedures.. I like the deal where kids have to have braces twice now.
Posted on 6/17/15 at 12:18 am to HurricaneDunc
I have super white straight teeth, but had lots of cavities as a kid. I had one dentist tell me I needed 10000 worth of work. Few crowns and a few root canals. Got a second opinion from my hubby's dentist who did everything he could see after panos and exams which was fill a few deep cavities from old fillings falling out for about 900 out of my pocket. Seems like the younger dentist didn't have the experience to replace a filling and just wanted to clean and crown. Haven't had a problem in years.
Posted on 6/17/15 at 12:28 am to ruzil
How does one distinguish a corporate from private?
Posted on 6/17/15 at 1:40 am to Sofa King Crimson
quote:
root canals are one of the biggest scams in medicine imo
I just went to the dentist today and was told I need a root canal...then I requested to see the endo that is in the same practice and he said there was absolutely no need for a root canal.
Needless to say, I'll be looking for a new dentist.
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