Is the new dentist gouging me?

[2.7RS]

And never forget out the 100 dentists that graduated from a class....

1,. You can get the Vadictorian shinning star . or...

2. You can get the last graduate of the class. Homer Simpson of dentist. He is still called Dr.

That's why I don't get second opinions. If I trust my care taker I go for it. If I'm not comfortable for any reason is time to find a new one.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by masraum

Maybe the old dentist was doing things the old way, and the new dentist is following more current wisdom.

There's this. I'm fortunate in that the dentist is the wife of a family friend - but the advances in technology (and the concomitant investments) are quite staggering over the last few years.

A simple example is that crowns are made on site while you wait from a 3D scan, not by sending an impression away and making a second visit....

Someone has to pay for the convenience.

[berettafan]

The economics of buying out a practice of any sort (med, dental, financial) are that the new guy has to do some serious selling to make any money for himself as the baseline figure is likely all going to pay the old guy.

[Rick Lee]

I think dentists train in sales. Mine is always pitching some product or add-on. The only one I went with was Invisalign, and it was not cheap. But I had been putting that off for years and years and needed it.

[berettafan]

My dentist who's been at it for some time tells me any newly minted dentists will have so much debt they will be forced to work for the franchise type places and 'do things they won't be proud of' to get by.

[vash]

I commute to my dentist. It’s a two hour drive because he is awesome. My wife and I go together to maximize the drive.

He won’t touch my teeth unless there is pain for the most part. Maybe a filling, but I haven’t needed one of those as an adult.

Is there pain? When he retires, Im screwed

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Tough to say. Possibly the old dentist would "watch" stuff while the new DDS prefers to treat it. Likely not financially motivated. Could be experience vs inexperience. Could be risk tolerance of each dentist. Neither are wrong. One the one hand the old DDS approach could cost you more when something fails catastrophically vs. new DDS approach treating it when you still have the control to do so and expenses are less.

If I have learned anything in my 22 year career it's that not all dentists match all patients. I have no heartache when a patient recognizes that and goes elsewhere. I often recognize that as well and dismiss patients from my practice that I am not getting anywhere with. I don't want to waste my time any more than I want my patients to waste theirs.

Maybe go have a conversation about your concerns posted above directly with the new guy. Make your decision based on how that goes. Maybe you are the type of patient who would rather risk catastrophic failure of something than spend the money, but he doesn't know that yet. Maybe he is the type of dentist who will do everything he can to avoid you saying "why didn't you catch this earlier?" when something does happen. Perhaps you two just need to get to know each other.

As a dentist of 30 years I would agree with Nickshu. If I may I would like to add a few thoughts.

Typically when an old dentist sells his practice he/she stays on part time as an associate of the new owner to help with the transition, usually about 6 months or so.

If this is the case ask if you could see the retiring doctor for a second opinion.

If this isn’t possible look at the treatment plan. Is it prioritized? A complete examination will include a “map” of everything in the mouth, what teeth are there, what teeth aren’t there, what fillings are there, what type they are, their condition etc. . . etc. . .

The examination will/should include a treatment plan. This treatment plan may be as simple as

1) Six month recall exam
2) Prophylaxis

If problems are detected I used to prioritize the treatment plan,
A) Urgent
B) Can be delayed
C) Recommended
D) Watch/monitor

As a rule of practice I never took into account what insurance or means of payment the patient had. I did not want it influencing my treatment plan. I always presented the ideal treatment plan with options. We call this informed consent. Give the patient all the information and let him/her decide. My treatment coordinator would come in and tell the patient an estimated cost of each treatment.

Example: Tooth broken
Option 1.
Root Canal
Post/Build Up
Crown

Option 2
Extract
Implant

Option 3
Extract
Bridge

Option 4
Extract
Flipper/Partial

Option 5
Extract
No further treatment

Option 6
Do nothing (NOT recommended)

Each option would be presented with benefits, risks, overall heath implications. The treatment coordinator/office manager would give an estimate for each option and then the patient could make an informed decision.

In your case are all fillings that need to be replaced failing? Is there any “tread left on the tire?”

A tire installer may recommend you replace a tire when it has 40% tread left, another installer may wait until 20% left. Hence the difference between dental diagnosing.

Does the $1,000 fee include a new night guard and the 4 fillings? Is that your cost before or after any insurance?

Having said all that . . .

My opinion:

Ask the dentist, “What is urgent? What can wait, what is recommended?”
If he doesn’t take the time to go over your case adequately with you then . . .

Get a second opinion, your X-rays can be transferred to another dentist at a minimal cost (legally they belong to the treating dentist)

I hope this helps and doesn’t “muck up the water.”

[jhynesrockmtn]

This is an almost 2 year old thread brought back to life by a BOT. What is the angle?

I'm assuming the OP got his teeth fixed or found a new dentist by now.

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

This is an almost 2 year old thread brought back to life by a BOT. What is the angle?

I'm assuming the OP got his teeth fixed or found a new dentist by now.

Didn’t notice that.

I would be curious to know how it turned out.

[cabmandone]

Mmmmhmmm

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Do Bots get tooth cavities also?

Hence my question and no answer.

[Steve Carlton]

Is it safe?

[stevej37]

^^^ ??

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Is it safe?

Not if it's the model XQJ-37 Pan-Sexual Roto-Plooker.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Is it safe?

Yes, it's safe, it's very safe, it's so safe you wouldn't believe it.

[Gogar]

This thread is almost 2 years old, Cantdrv got that tooth knocked out in the octagon like a year ago! Or an airplane accident or something.

[beepbeep]

We are lucky that we can afford professional dentists:

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ ??

Marathon Man.