HELP PLEASE!!! Anxiety now, how do you cope, cavity...

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#16 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:29 am

Err.....on that note, back to the topic at hand......

If you truly believe your dentist is a moron and missing cavities, then time for a new dentist! Meryaten is correct, in that, while you are in braces your dentist will not do x-rays as they are almost pointless so no cavities will be caught that way. But a visual inspection is definitely in order, and if that is not being done, (or not being done in a thorough manner) then you are not only not getting your moneys worth during your 6 month check up, but also putting your oral heath in danger. As said earlier---time to find a new dentist.

As for your ortho being annoyed with you....so what?! It's not like they are giving you this treatment for free or as a favor so you really shouldn't inconvenience them. They work for you. I say go in as much as you need and don't worry about it.

Another thing to remember is that cavities are generally very slow to progress. If you see a suspicious spot, just breath deeply and know that it is not going to get worse in a week or even a month so you can take your time to get the various appointments scheduled.

Hope that helps.

#17 Post by **jennielee81** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:10 pm

I'm not sure if you're asking for help, or just venting...

Here're a few examples I've had:

I had a molar move and expose a VERY dark spot. I got very upset as I have few cavities and didn't want to deal with this one.

The ortho thought for sure it was a cavity. I made an appt. with the dentist who was HAPPY to see me for this. Turns out to have been a stain set into a soft spot. She buffed it out and sent me on my way with a big bottle of fluoride rinse.

My daughter also had a few cavities appear in her incisors and on the side of a molar due to incorrect bonding by her (different from mine) orthodontist. Only one as a cavity, the other 3 were stains and one was so shallow it was delt with on the surface and no filling was needed.

I worry, since your dentist seems bothered by all of this, he may not even take the time to determine that these are actually cavities. You say he told you they were, but of course he did since he charged you to fill them.

Really though, these cavities will not grow to mammoth size in even a week or two. I understand you are concerned that your teeth will move back to cover them. I can't address this as I don't know how fast your teeth are moving nor if these areas are opened up and then covered again. Mine and my daughters did not go back into hiding once revealed.

I say find another dentist, maybe even one closer to home. YOu neither like nor trust this one...why stay?

Your ortho doesn't sound like much of a keeper either.

#18 Post by **Kat** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:22 pm

Well, it was a cavity. Filled it today.
I have many exrays since I've been in braces.
The dentist looked at the ex-rays he took 4 months ago and said "yes, it's through the enamel" now why didn't he see it then???

I'll tell you why and this is the truth. I went for a cleaning and it was time for the dentist to have a look, he only looks once a year at the cleanings and if you want him to look at any in bewtween appointments he charges $50.00

yes, that's true. Anyway, after the cleaning 4 months ago I'm waiting for him to come in the room for the look and the hygenist says "He's already left for the day, he has to catch a plane he's going on vacation"

.

I go back 10 days later and he has his look. I asked if he looked at the xrays.
Something tells me he didn't.
I want to change dentists and will but it's convient for the moment to have them close together. I think my treatment is going to be for a few more months any then I should be finished with the ortho part of this whole dental ordeal. Then comes the implants, crowns and what ever else is found.
Sometimes I just cringe at all this.

This is why I'm having trouble with all this stuff anymore and really, am having a hard time coping any more.
Didn't want to just vent I really wanted to know if others have this kind of stuff going on and had it gotten to the point???

#19 Post by **jennielee81** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:28 pm

I sincerely hope you find a new dentist to do the "heavy" work of implants and such.

I wouldn't trust this guy with more than you already do.

He's not focused on your treatment, only his wallet.

Wish everyone could have a dentist like mine! She's even done stuff for us and not charged because it didn't make sence to charge...

like pulling my youngest daughter's tooth, cutting a molar band off after the ortho was "done" with my son, even cleaned my son's teeth for free as his insurence wasn't going to cover it.

We all seem to go through some "crap" or another. EVERYONE here is trying to help. But if the provider is no good, there is only one solution.

Try to relax, have a cup of tea and a bubble bath. "...afterall, tomorrow is another day." -Scarlet O'Hara

#20 Post by **ArchAngle** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:41 am

Something bizarre about that. Haven't had a filling in 15 years. 8 months in to braces, lo and behold, the teeth move, the dentists spots the start of something and decides to fill it in. Now I am already seeing something new which I hope is just a stain. Is there some sort of weird chemical reaction with all the metal that speeds up cavity progression or something going on? 15 years of not brushing and flossing half as much as now with braces, and 8 months in a cavity appears

#21 Post by **kirjax** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:40 pm

hmm I think I can relate to your situation.

When I got braces 15 months ago you of course had to have the full cleaning and xrays. At the time they told me everything looked "great" but that I had a filling that should be refilled because it was beginning 2 chip. Okay fine. Took care of it. Fast forward 6 months later now in braces and I go for a cleaning and they tell me I have 5 yes count them 5 cavities!!! I'm like WTF? 6 months ago I was fine? So I argued with the dentist and he said, "well these were questionable spots on the xrays the last time but we weren't sure if they'd turn into cavities!" ummm okay so your telling me I had these "spots" and I could of done something to prevent them from turning into cavities yet I wasn't told? UGH and to top it off I had no dental coverage. So off to the dentist I went filling 5 cavities out of my pocket!!! Oh and not to mention during this visit they told me I should really use prescription toothpaste..........sure after the damage is done.......here was another $25.00 out of pocket!!
Today I went for my next cleaning but this time I went back to my OLD dentist that I hadn't been to in about 4 years. I decided I'd fork out the extra money but atleast I'd have a thorough exam. I explained to them my previous cavity experience and they just shook their head and said did you come for another opinion. I said, "no the opinion is long gone they're all filled" This hygentist cleaned my teeth VERY well. She did explain xrays are unecessary during braces bc they can't really reveal much. This was fine with me cause I didn't want to pay for them either! Anyways, my old dentist came in and said my teeth and gums looked "great!" and I was doing a great job cleaning them. So it really does make you wonder. So maybe you too need to see another opinion and another dentist like I did. It can't hurt.

And on a side note sometimes it doesn't matter how well you clean your teeth cavities just appear! There really isn't much more you cna do if your already doing the job. So just relax. It is what it isl.

#22 Post by **jaswi** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:36 pm

I'm a firm believer that all dentists are crooked.

#23 Post by **jennielee81** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:13 pm

Except mine.

#24 Post by **Kat** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:41 pm

Kirjax, pretty much the same here!
"Everything is fine, I don't see anything." (in the whole 7 seconds he looked!)

Does make you mad when cavities show up. I understand if the teeth are in such a position where they can't be seen then with movement they show themselves but this guy had x-rays and didn't even look at them until I pointed out a cavity months later...

It is truly upsetting though. Trying to make all the appointments, getting everything together all the extra $$$ when they should take control and let me know what my options in treatment are. I mean isn't this their job, what they do???

Jennielee81 I think you hit it really, I believe he is not focused on my treatment. He has said he would be speaking to the ortho about what the next steps should be with implants crowns but he never has once in the two years I've been braced. (Ortho said the same thing, I asked him if he ever got a hold of the dentist in regards to the future treatment plan they are planning to do together like he said he would. He said no.)
Now I'm up against it. Makes you feel like you're out in the middle of the ocean without a paddle not knowing where to go.

Well enough already. This stuff gets me in a frump.

#25 Post by **kirjax** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:26 am

Well technically the cavities they filled were all small ones on the crown of my molars so basically the teeth didn't have to move for them to see them if they were even really there

I always played it off as they were getting this money in hand so they could be "crooked" and tell me I have cavities even though I don't. I mean it was $95 per tooth and they got me x 5 with that!!! Go figure!! That's why I went back to my old dentist cause I trusted him and should of done that in the first place but they would have charged me to come in and I was like great 5 cavities and then a second consult it's just going to be way too much for me. So I sucked it up and just had them filled. So when I went yesterday I swore I'd have a cavity just well bc I'm used to hearing it no matter how well I clean my teeth and when my hygentist said my gums were really healthy and she "could tell I was cleaning them very well" and then my dentist came in and repeated that and telling me I looked great - he also even checked out my bite and said, "wow looks like your almost done!" it just made me smile knowing he wasn't just playing with my emotions since he's been my original dentist since I was 4 years old!!

#26 Post by **mary.** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:44 am

I could not disagree more with the statement made above that all dentists are crooked.

My dentist is a wonderful person and very skilled. He is so good, and so kind and caring. And, he always has my best interests in mind. I wanted to get an old filling replaced, and he discouraged me since it was not really bothering me and he did not want to dig around any more than necessary as it could possibly bring up other problems. So essentially, he refused work and pay because it was better for me. He is very experienced and so skilled. I got a lot of work done last year with him and everything is great, he also made it very bearable. I've also gone in for quick follow up appointments that he has not charged for. Wonderful dentists are most definitely out there!!!

Despite how skilled he is, we did discover a cavity between two of my teeth when they started moving around. It was beside a molar that had a large dark filling and it simply was not noticeable. We booked an appointment a few weeks later just before my next ortho appointment so he could but the wire. He never mentioned any rush to get it done. All is fine now.

I also am fortunate to have a fantastic orthodontist as well. I have tremendous respect for these two professional, I am grateful for their assistance and support and I respect their time, and I make sure to show it to them. I know I am lucky to have found them, but I think some of it is my attitude and gratefulness as well. I have gone in for extra help and appointments, made calls that probably weren't necessary, etc and they were always happy to accomodate. I have had nothing but great experiences with them.

#27 Post by **catfish** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:41 pm

Ditto Mary. I would not say that all dentists are crooked. I've experienced good and bad dentists, so I believe there is definitely a mix out there. But the dentist I have now is just awesome. In fact, my entire dental team is awesome. My dentist, periodontist, and orthodontist all consult each other on my treatment plan.

I'm lucky to be in such good hands!