Dental X-rays....

[Meractik]

Apparently they're are several different types, anyone familiar with the new technology dentists can use to take digital x-rays that can see inside teeth and even identify cavities by bright white dots? (same as fillings...)

I went to the dentist recently, he claimed I have 5 very small cavities, my teeth feel fine... but he said I wouldn't feel them b/c they haven't reached a nerve yet (aka they are really small) I just want to make sure I really have some cavities and he is just not looking to bill me for some money and do unnecessary work.... I did see lots of bright white dots on the x-rays he took but he rushed me through his office visit/cleaning (I was a new patient to this dentist) and I did not get time to ask about the x-ray... what Little I could see... I saw my 1 existing filling as very bright white dot on my tooth on the x-ray but I also saw lots of other white dots that looked like they match up with his identification of cavities, but is that possible for x-rays to show a cavity? It also looked like I could see the internals of my teeth with the roots/nerves ext inside the teeth (from the digital x-rays he was taking...)


anyone familiar with this new dentist type technology? To me didn't look like these were your traditional x-rays by any means.... more like a black and white MRI of your mouth! lol..

 

[vi edit]

Probably doing some sort of 3D reconstruction on a post processing workstation.

 

[Gooberlx2]

anyone familiar with this new dentist type technology? To me didn't look like these were your traditional x-rays by any means.... more like a black and white MRI of your mouth! lol..

So there were image slices that the Dentist could scroll through? What kind of apparatus was involved in getting the image(s)?

Something like this? (CT)
Or this? (regular xray)

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It's a lot more difficult these days because all dentists /doctors play the numbers game. The way I combat it is to do research before and after and write down questions in a notebook. I then ask those questions at the next visit and refuse to leave until they're answered.

 

[Buttzilla]

bright white = fillings. small cavities are actually darker grey spots in the enamel. they can normally spot them quick, if the cavities are in the forming state (super small) the dentist will put that spot watch. when you in for your next cleaning they take a look at that spot again to see if it's gotten bigger. did he recommend flouride mouthwash 2x a day?

anywho, digital xrays are the same as traditional, you just get instant pictures and the ability to zoom (which makes the pic more fuzzy). 3d pics can only be done via ct scans which typically isn't covered by insurance and cost about 300.

 

[Meractik]

So there were image slices that the Dentist could scroll through? What kind of apparatus was involved in getting the image(s)?

Something like this? (CT)
Or this? (regular xray)

From the video's you posted it was the latter, the regular xray...

but it had some pretty bright white marks on some teeth (and I know it wasn't fillings b/c there was a lot of them, and I only have 1 official filling) but the dentist was all like you have five small cavities that you can't feel at the point b/c they're small but he claimed they need addressed before they get bigger....... just makes me wonder if he is lying....

Anyone familiar with whether dentist would normally give a free second opinion for something as simple as cavities?

I could see the pictures of my teeth on a monitor as they were taken (so its not like they showed me someone elses teeth) then the dental assistants were arguing about putting them in order on the screen prior to the official dentists review.

I got a cleaning (which was kind of rushed) and polished my teeth (also kind of rushed IMO) but I definately felt cleaner and better off after having leaving (since its been like 2 yrs since a dentist visit) but the whole procedure of x-rays/written questionaire/exam & cleaning only lasted about an hour.... and resulted in being told I had five cavities (none of which I can feel)

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Anyone familiar with whether dentist would normally give a free second opinion for something as simple as cavities?

They wouldn't give a free second opinion on what time it is.

 

[lxskllr]

Timely topic. I have the same questions. I had Xrays done 2 visits ago, and the last visit, the dentist(not the regular guy) said I needed two fillings based on the Xrays. He pointed to a discolored area, but it was indistinct, and it required him to explain. I didn't question him at the time, but it's really been bothering me that the diagnosis is based off an old Xray. I've been tempted to cancel the appointment, and wait it out.

 

[Buttzilla]

From the video's you posted it was the latter, the regular xray...

but it had some pretty bright white marks on some teeth (and I know it wasn't fillings b/c there was a lot of them, and I only have 1 official filling) but the dentist was all like you have five small cavities that you can't feel at the point b/c they're small but he claimed they need addressed before they get bigger....... just makes me wonder if he is lying....

Anyone familiar with whether dentist would normally give a free second opinion for something as simple as cavities?

this is the major problem with going to the dentist. putting a tooth on watch is dependent on how aggressive your dentist is. if your tooth has a cavity forming it doesn't necessarily mean you need a filling right away. they can place that tooth on watch; with proper brushing techniques, flossing, and using flouride mouthwash you can keep the cavity in it's current state. in some cases, if the cavity is small, the flouride will fight acid attacks on the enamel and help with remineralization.

edit: this is the reason why you need annual checkups to compare the bitewings (pics of moloars and premolars) they take to assess the condition of the cavities to see if they've gotten worse.

 

[Gooberlx2]

From the video's you posted it was the latter, the regular xray...

but it had some pretty bright white marks on some teeth (and I know it wasn't fillings b/c there was a lot of them, and I only have 1 official filling) but the dentist was all like you have five small cavities that you can't feel at the point b/c they're small but he claimed they need addressed before they get bigger....... just makes me wonder if he is lying....

Anyone familiar with whether dentist would normally give a free second opinion for something as simple as cavities?

I could see the pictures of my teeth on a monitor as they were taken (so its not like they showed me someone elses teeth) then the dental assistants were arguing about putting them in order on the screen prior to the official dentists review.

I got a cleaning (which was kind of rushed) and polished my teeth (also kind of rushed IMO) but I definately felt cleaner and better off after having leaving (since its been like 2 yrs since a dentist visit) but the whole procedure of x-rays/written questionaire/exam & cleaning only lasted about an hour.... and resulted in being told I had five cavities (none of which I can feel)

There are many things that can be done to improve the readability of the images, especially when presenting them to a patient. I imagine something as simple as adjusting contrast and inverting in a region of interest could produce "white spots" for cavities, when they would typically look like darker areas in the brighter enamel.

In any case, the best shot for finding out if the dentist is trustworthy is searching for reviews and asking around. The imaging tech is sound, but it's always possible his interpretation of the images is overly paranoid/aggressive.

I had one dentist suggest several crowns for what only required fillings according to two other dentists. Maybe he wasn't "wrong" to suggest crowns, but according to the other dentists it would have been an overly aggressive course of treatment....and of course about $2000 more expensive. Got the fillings and a medicated mouth wash. I'm fine.

I'd say that if he's suggesting fillings for very very small cavities, without advising a brushing/flossing/mouth wash treatment first, then seek service elsewhere.

 

[bignateyk]

Dental X-Rays are the reason I hardly ever go to the dentist. Every time I go they insist on frying my brain with X-Rays for no reason at all. No other form of medicine uses X-Rays in a preventative manner, let alone on the most important part of your body.

I think it's been about 6 years since I was at the dentist.

 

[Meractik]

this is the major problem with going to the dentist. putting a tooth on watch is dependent on how aggressive your dentist is. if your tooth has a cavity forming it doesn't necessarily mean you need a filling right away. they can place that tooth on watch; with proper brushing techniques, flossing, and using flouride mouthwash you can keep the cavity in it's current state. in some cases, if the cavity is small, the flouride will fight acid attacks on the enamel and help with remineralization.

edit: this is the reason why you need annual checkups to compare the bitewings (pics of moloars and premolars) they take to assess the condition of the cavities to see if they've gotten worse.

Thats some good info, perhaps I should stop using listerine and switch to flouride mouthwash like (ACT) .... I will miss the tingle though :/

 

[Meractik]

Dental X-Rays are the reason I hardly ever go to the dentist. Every time I go they insist on frying my brain with X-Rays for no reason at all. No other form of medicine uses X-Rays in a preventative manner, let alone on the most important part of your body.

I think it's been about 6 years since I was at the dentist.

I thought it was very ODD, when I went in I asked how often they should do x-rays the dental tech's said EVERY SIX MONTHS when you come in for your cleanings they do 3 X-rays every six months! I thought this very very very very strange.... I thought x-rays should only be taken once every 1/2 maybe even 3 years?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Every 6 months is crazy. The dentist I've been going to for 10+ years only does a full set every ~2 years. Any extras are only for specific teeth that had a problem like a crown or root canal.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Thats some good info, perhaps I should stop using listerine and switch to flouride mouthwash like (ACT) .... I will miss the tingle though :/

I believe the purple Listerine has flouride.

 

[destrekor]

Every 6 months is crazy. The dentist I've been going to for 10+ years only does a full set every ~2 years. Any extras are only for specific teeth that had a problem like a crown or root canal.

Yep. And I imagine most insurance won't cover x-ray's more often than once a year.

 

[Meractik]

Yep. And I imagine most insurance won't cover x-ray's more often than once a year.

maybe that is another method for them to try to solicit more money from patients.

I have no problem with the cleaning and initial consult they did, it was free through my insurance, i have no idea what they ended up charging insurance b/c its my preventative maintenance. but now that Ive got cavities (according to them) I am skeptic, they just sent me a fax with a run-down of costs for both (Silver) fillings *Amalgam* and (White) fillings *Resin* and it seems like they want to give me a discount (outside insurance/deductable) just to choose to get Resin (white) fillings instead of silver.... These are back teeth, makes me think they just want to pinch more money from me by dangling a discount (SHADY!!!!!) overall for supposed five fillings (which they claim I need) they want to charge me $111 for all silver and $175 if i choose the white fillings. This includes my deductible.

Anyone know of a website that lets you search for specific dentists in your area?

I can go to my dental insurance website to find names of dentists in my area, im just looking for reliable reviews... (which I am finding hard to come by)

Anyone know more about these prices? (ive only had one filling in my life and it was done in the military so it was free to me) which is part of the reason why I am so skeptical, I take good care of my teeth, but having not been to the dentist in 2 yrs and now I have 5 cavities? (THAT I CAN"T FEEL!!!, or open my mouth and see..... *shouldn't they be black bits or something?*)