I haven't had my teeth professionally clean in quite some time, so I decided to make an appointment. I called around to several local offices and none of them would clean my teeth without an initial visit from the dentist and full x-rays. They told me I could have x-rays sent from my old dentist (if taken in the last five years), but that I would still need partials before they cleaned my teeth. Only one dentist out of the five I called would clean my teeth without the additional partials. I am super pissed. I don't want to spend $100+ just to have tartar scraped from my teeth.
Dental Rant
- Thread starter ScottyB
- Start date
SarcasticDwarf
Diamond Member
- Jun 8, 2001
- 9,574
- 2
- 76
theknight571
Platinum Member
- Mar 23, 2001
- 2,896
- 2
- 81
Any dental schools in your area? They might be willing to work with you.
I assume you don't have dental insurance... cause my insurance calls for xrays once a year, as a preventative measure. (so I'm told... I don't pay for them... so I assume they're covered.. lol)
I assume you don't have dental insurance... cause my insurance calls for xrays once a year, as a preventative measure. (so I'm told... I don't pay for them... so I assume they're covered.. lol)
The procedures that dentists use are there to make sure that a correct strategy can be implemented for your dental health care.
For the partials, I'm not sure why they require them before they clean. Why don't you ask?
Also, I'm a firm believer of preventative dentistry to prevent the truely expensive procedures. $100 to clean your teeth is a small price to pay to prevent the procedures that costs thousands of dollars.
For the partials, I'm not sure why they require them before they clean. Why don't you ask?
Also, I'm a firm believer of preventative dentistry to prevent the truely expensive procedures. $100 to clean your teeth is a small price to pay to prevent the procedures that costs thousands of dollars.
You might check any local schools with dental programs. Most would be happy to schedule a cleaning. Still, Dentist have to cover themselves. A relative had one customer come in for a cleaning and turn around to claim that he had shrunk their teeth. dead serious.
If you've been avoiding proper dental care for years then X-Rays are a really good idea. If you let cavities go long enough, a tooth will need a $1,000 crown instead of a $50 filling.
moshquerade
No Lifer
- Nov 1, 2001
- 61,504
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What? That's terrible advice. For one, you are only going to get some of the tartar you see above the gumline when subgingival tartar is the most dangerous. Secondly, if you don't know how to use dental tools you'll likely scratch your enamel. Enamel doesn't recover from something like that.
OP, just like an initial doctor's visit you need to have more than "just a cleaning" when you start back up at the dentist. If he/she just cleaned your teeth and sent you on your way and then a month later you had a toothache due to a cavity that was present interproximally you would be bitching about them not finding it when you had your teeth cleaned. They need to take x-rays to do a thorough exam, and also avoid being sued.
They do not need to take x-rays to do a thorough exam, because I do not want them to do an exam. Getting my teeth cleaned without a dental exam is better than doing no cleaning and no exam. I do not have the money to fill a cavity anyway, so there is no reason for them to do an examination.
That's funny, I was in the same situation once back in grad school and the dentist had no problem not doing x-rays. I didn't tell them ahead of time, though, just told them not to do it when I came in.
moshquerade
No Lifer
- Nov 1, 2001
- 61,504
- 12
- 56
Legally they cannot just "clean your teeth." Otherwise Hygienists could set up their own shop like Hairdressers can.
MercenaryYoureFired
Senior member
- Nov 8, 2006
- 343
- 0
- 0
I'm assuming you're a dental hygienist, Mosh? You always seem to show up in all the tooth related threads.
If so, I have a quick question for you. I've recently had a molar filled with a composite filling (~4 months ago). I've noticed that sometimes when chewing I will feel pain (sometimes slight, sometimes sharp); almost as if I still have a cavity there. Now I know composite fillings are still relatively new, and cost more, but they're the only kind of fillings my dentist offers. Is something like this normal? I wouldn't think so especially after 4 months of recovery.
I will be going there next month for a 6 month anyway, and luckily, I do have insurance. But I just wanted to get your thoughts.
-MYF
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