2 Cavities, they want to schedule 2 appointments. Is this normal?

[soccerballtux]

1. I don't want to pay for 2 visits. Their specific wording was "to get x-rays and to see what kind of filling you need". It seems like they're giving me the run around, to get me in twice. One of the cavities is on the top of one of my bottom molars, the other is on the side one of my top ones. The composite filling type that cures with UV light is fine for both of these.

2. Last time when I came in for cavities they said they wouldn't work without a panoramic xray. What? Panoramic Xrays are not high enough resolution to show tooth decay (especially cavities). Maybe they simply do this to make sure they don't mess up something that's there? Still, seems odd to me.

 

[coldmeat]

When I get cavities, they find them on my regular check-up, then I go in the next appointment and they fix it, without x-rays.

The only reason I can think of for 2 appointments is so they could do them separately.

 

[Pepsei]

it's normal, at my dentist, i can make 2 seperate 30 minutes appointments or 1 hour appointment. personally, i like to get it all over with.

 

[DaveSimmons]

> 1. 2 visits

That's odd. With digital x-rays they should be able to shoot, look, drill, fill.

> 2. Last time when I came in for cavities they said they wouldn't work without a panoramic xray.

Possibly checking for an abcess to see if you needed a root canal?

You can always ask follow-up questions you know. If they won't explain anything you might want to change dentists.

 

[bignateyk]

Sure it's normal. What dentist wouldn't want to make extra money by having you come in twice?

 

[Genx87]

Usually they find the cavaties during the cleaning and fill them on the spot. However I have a nerve in my upper back left teeth that cant be numbed. I tried 3 times and they used the most potent shit they have and did it several times and no luck. Finally had them drill the thing while I could feel it. It wasnt all that bad except for the lightning in my eyes when they drilled through a nerve.

 

[Turin39789]

My dentist is my pseudo sister-in-law, and she finds them during my routine exam, takes an x-ray and then has me come back in another time for the fill. She also barely charges me FTW!

 

[xSauronx]

OP not have insurance?

i dont...between a cleaning, xrays and 2 fillings last fall, i spent $500 🙁

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
OP not have insurance?

i dont...between a cleaning, xrays and 2 fillings last fall, i spent $500 🙁

Me either. This is usually cheaper than having the insurance (unless your work provides coverage).

 

[torpid]

My dentist supposedly doesn't recommend doing fillings on both the top and bottom of the mouth because that means your entire mouth is numb.

Not sure why one would be for x-rays and the second for both fillings. That seems weird.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: torpid
My dentist supposedly doesn't recommend doing fillings on both the top and bottom of the mouth because that means your entire mouth is numb.

Not sure why one would be for x-rays and the second for both fillings. That seems weird.

So I called them back and they want to take the x-ray so they can see exactly where the filling is if it's on the top/bottom and the sides or chewing part of the tooth.

xSauronx, I'm looking into dental insurance now and I take back what I said-- you probably could have saved a lot by signing up with an insurance plan. I'm checking out dentalplans.com right now, found a 25% plan discount for any plan on their site. Careington Care 500 is $120/year +3 months extra for being a new member, -25% makes it $90. You can see the discounts provided by this planhere. Looks like it's a pretty good deal.