FIVE cavities and early GINGIVITIS - I am mortified!!

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#1 Post by **BoSox2008** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:14 pm

I have had braces for a year. Prior to getting braces, I had a few cavities here and there, but never anything major. I brush 4 times a day minimum, and floss morning and night... I am pretty particular about my oral hygene.

I went to a new dentist last week, and not only did I have FIVE new cavities (is that a new record? so terrible) but I was told I have early gingivitis!! They also scheduled 2 cleanings (forget what theyre called) during which they literally scrape underneath your gums... how super.

I am so dissapointed and confused. My orthodontist says my gums are fine and actually said gums become a tiny bit inflamed during orthodontic procedures. My old dentist moved across the country, and I'm not sure whether I should trust the new dentist or if he is only trying to get extra money out of me!

Has anyone had this experience before? Do you think I should wait until I get my braces off in a couple months and see how my gums are, or should I get the cleanings done? I'm considering a second opinion, but wanted to see what everyone's thoughts on this are.

#2 Post by **micachica** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:34 pm

I think what you're referring to is root scaling. It's basically just a cleaning but under your gums. They scrape all the tarter and buildup off the teeth under the gumline. My brother just had this done. He had to get his gum pulled back over his teeth, cleaned, and then the perio sewed it back together. As for the cavities I had 13 at one appointment! It was quite the shock and expense to take care of those! I also had four at an old dentist but changed dentists and my new one I saw for a cleaning before my brackets were put on saw none. But I think he may just be a sucky dentist. My advice would be to wait until after the brackets come off, maybe get a second opinion, and do what ya gotta do to have a healthy mouth, even though it may cost a ton and hurt

Good luck!

#3 Post by **dugsmom** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:31 pm

When I was younger (around 15 yrs old), I went to a dentist who told me that all my upper teeth had cavities (all except the 4 front ones). He also told me that I'd be toothless before I was 20. That freaked the hell out of me so I never went back to a dentist for many years. When I was 19, I went in for my first ever cleaning. My dentist checked my teeth and said I was cavity free! I got a second opinion (just to make sure) and he said I was cavity free. What a shocker!!! Imagine if I had, had those "cavities" filled.
I got my first and only cavity when I was 21 (and I still had my teeth YAY)...never had one for about 10 years until I moved to Canada. I was grinding and clenching and was desperate (need mouth guard) and went to the first place I saw. He was really nice (almost too nice). He found 3 cavities so I had him fill them. I knew for sure I had 1 because of the grinding. The other was on the side of my tooth...now that I think about it...I don't think there really was one there but I'll never know for sure. The last was the one cavity I had before...the filling was loose so a cavity formed. I didn't know about that one until the day he filled the others. He decided to remove that filling to check it. Without my knowledge, he drilled it all the way down to my nerve and filled it. After he was done, he told me what he did. I was pissed....anyway he told me I needed a root canal and crown but I told him that I would wait till I got back to the US. I was slow but I finally figured out that he saw me as a sucker...which I admit that I was. Anyway when I came back to the US I saw my dentist who told me that the other dentist had drilled that one tooth pretty deep (up to the nerve) but it was a very thin line so he didn't think I needed a crown or root canal. Not yet at least. it's been a year since and that tooth is fine...no pain whatsoever.
That's my story...I think you should definitely get a second opinion. Ask your ortho who his/her dentist is. I did (I just moved again). I figure if my ortho is going to this man then he must be good. And you should definitely get the cleaning. I get cleanings every 4 months. I just got braced so I'll see how that goes and if it looks like I will need to go more often I will.
Oh and another thing...I went to several dentists...some said I had gingivitis and others said no. So I don't know if I've had it or not. Also a good dentist will check your gum levels (don't know what that's called). they use a periodontal probe to measure the depth of pockets under the gum. anything below 3 and 4 millimeters is good...anything from 3 and up is not good (that's what I've been told...could be wrong).

Jessica

Jessica

#4 Post by **Luella** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:10 pm

GET A SECOND OPINION!!! Unless you have a trusted person that has referred you to this new dentist, and even if you have, I would absolutely get a second opinion! And, ask the new dentist to duplicate the x-rays he took so you can take them with you to the second opinion Doctor!

Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:46 pm

where i live the ortho instructs me that the dentist is to handle all problems regarding my cavities and gums
the ortho is only in charge of moving the teeth but they make sure u go to the dentist every 6mths and before you are debanded

i had 8 sealants and 1 filling and a cleaning done before i was braced last week
i know if i have a small cavity it develops into a big one in no time even though i have good oral hygeine i think i have weak enamel or somthing
and my hygenist says i have early gingervitis as my gums always bleed during cleanings but not when i brush at home, but as she says at this stage its totally reversable with propper brushing and flossing and cleanings of course
i had deep cleaning done on a molar a couple years ago the pocket was slighly over 3mm but it was hurting so they did only that tooth for me and i havent had problems since
oh and my dentist and hygenist give me a hand mirror and show me when i have a cavity or bleeding so i know they arent just trying to rip me off
and everything is discussed before work is done
my ortho doesnt tell me anything i dont like that, i like knowing whats going on and what they are doing

you should have at least a regular cleaning done b4 u get the braces off
i was told that patients bleed excessively during debanding if they have gingervitis that isnt under control
i actually have to show my ortho proof that i visit the hygenist at least every 6mths!
even tho i will go every 3-4months as i am worried about decay an gingervitis

#6 Post by **insinu8** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:27 am

My best advice in your situation, in fact to everyone, is to go to a dentist which is recommended to you by someone you know. Friends or coworkers are a good resource for this. That is how I found my current dentist, whom I think the world of.

I would never go to just any dentist (or doctor). And if, for any reason, I felt they were not dealing with me professionally, I would look elsewhere. You can hardly throw a rock without hitting a dentist office.

#7 Post by **BoSox2008** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:27 am

Thanks for the replies and great advice everyone!! I am going to a dentist that was recommended to me by my orthodontist. The earlierst appointment is in June, so I am still going to go ahead and take care of my cavities... I figure its better to take care of them than pretend they don't exist and then require root canals and more painful procedures.

Its funny how much I love the ortho and how much I hate the dentist!!

#8 Post by **purpleteeth** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:29 am

Your ortho should know about the cavities almost faster than your regular dentist, as regular xrays are taken while in braces.

Definately get a second opinion and talk with your ortho asap. With that type of work needing to be done, your ortho might need to adjust something with your braces treatment (if there really is a problem to begin with...).

#9 Post by **lianas** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:19 am

I wouldn't get those teeth filled until I got the second you may be saving your teeth from fillings you dont need. Besides after that what good would the second opion be.

#10 Post by **Bluemoonjo** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:21 am

If you search back on this page or maybe the next .... you can see my last most and my teeth now.

I've been in braces for 20 months, before that I spent 6 months or so paying for other dental care. I had 4 fillings, 2 impacted wisdom teeth taken out, and one crown taken care of.

After the braces went on one crazy placed tooth was extracted, and two filling. He waited for those filling so my teeth would moved and it would be easier to get to.
Could it be the teeth moved enough to do them now?

Also I had gotten 5 treatment plans for all the dental work I needed done, before the braces.
2 wanted to do alot of crowns and root canals or dentures, 2 flat out said dentures, and I picked the treatment I had from the last dentist.
BIG differance in the work they said I need huh

Be sure to get several opinions.

#11 Post by **cally** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:08 am

Y, don't get "cavities" filled until you know they ARE cavities. I went to a dentist who told me I needed FIFTEEN fillings. Went to another who said I needed NONE. Some dentists are "fill crazy" and want to drill and fill any slight imperfection, even where there is no decay.

SECOND OPINION!!!!!

#12 Post by **dugsmom** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:56 am

June isn't too far way...I'd wait if I were you. I learned from experience...now I'll never know if I really had those cavities or not. But you have that chance.

Jessica