WWYD? on dental issue......

**pop goes the weasel** · 10-01-2008, 06:47 AM

Remember the old saying..................if it ain't broke, don't fix it

**Megareader** · 10-01-2008, 07:40 AM

Just a thought...are you near a dental college? It's my understanding their fees are lower.

**lwlynch** · 10-01-2008, 07:50 AM

NO offense to dentist.. but you need to talk with him and get the information, then you can decide. I have been told a million things about my kids and something I have done and other made no sense.. They are in it to make money and usually they will. I have found it very cost effective if you just tell the doctor you cant afford one thing and is there another way.. Sometimes it seems at mine they got a whole nother idea that is more affordable...
good luck

**IntlMom** · 10-01-2008, 07:55 AM

another vote for a second opinion.....either that, or just forget about it all together and don;t even worry about it.......

as far as the "when you're 18" comment - sure they can fix it without your permission, but they darn well better know they need your permission to be able to get paid by you!!!

**frugal is fun** · 10-02-2008, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Megareader

Just a thought...are you near a dental college? It's my understanding their fees are lower.

I was just going to say the exact same thing.

**lovestoread** · 10-02-2008, 01:13 PM

No, unfortunately we aren't near a dental college.... I haven't had time to call the dentist, yet , but I will...... I am really thinking of telling them that I want to wait a year of two.....see how things go......

**Fotobug** · 10-02-2008, 06:03 PM

Nodding head here. I would definitely want to talk directly with the dentist and ask lots of questions and not to make decisions or reach conclusions based on second hand information.

When I was a kid our dentist told my parents I "just" had a crossbite and didn't need braces for that. Years later I had serious TMJ issues from not correcting that crossbite. Nope, nothing was wrong with my *teeth* but the jaw did need to be straightened. Sure wish I had had it done back then.

So definitely find out WHY he is recommending braces, explain that you can't afford non-necessities and see what he/she says. Then, if it doesn't sound right to you, move on to the second opinion. But I wouldn't totally reject the idea just because you haven't seen any problems or infections - that doesn't mean everything is fine.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-02-2008, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Fotobug

When I was a kid our dentist told my parents I "just" had a crossbite and didn't need braces for that. Years later I had serious TMJ issues from not correcting that crossbite. Nope, nothing was wrong with my *teeth* but the jaw did need to be straightened. Sure wish I had had it done back then.

My brother also had lovely little straight teeth that no one bothered to take a close look at, whereas I had giant crooked ones that everyone felt needed straightening. I got the braces, which were purely cosmetic as my teeth only looked bad. Turns out my brother's teeth do not line up correctly and he has now worn his molars down to such an extent that there is no point even fixing them anymore. He's 38, I don't know how much longer he will have his own teeth. So you can't really tell who does or doesn't need orthodontic work based solely on their smile.

I live in a different country so maybe it's a different system here, but is it normal for a dentist to diagnose and propose a treatment plan for this type of work? Are they qualified to make those sorts of judgements? This is something that would be referred to an orthodontist here.

**Fotobug** · 10-02-2008, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I live in a different country so maybe it's a different system here, but is it normal for a dentist to diagnose and propose a treatment plan for this type of work? Are they qualified to make those sorts of judgements? This is something that would be referred to an orthodontist here.

It is the same here in the US. But the dentist is usually the person who would initially notice the problem and then recommend seeing an orthodontist. Unless there is an obvious problem, most people would not see an orthodontist without the dentist suggesting it. Actually, the problem Sheri described sounds like something an oral surgeon would do rather than a "regular" dentist. And maybe a surgeon is where to go for the second opinion.

**hmcart** · 10-02-2008, 10:45 PM

Okay as a dental professional I have a bit of a different opinion. First I would talk to the dentist yourself. Ask him to show you on her xrays. If she does have teeth that are not in and you leave them like that there is a chance of a problem in the future. At 16 it is way easier to fix it now. Most adults with retained baby teeth loose them by the time they are in their 30s. I would also get a consult with an orthodontist. Unerupted teeth can also develope cysts around them. She could go her whole life and not have a problem but it is a bit of a chance you take if you dont do anything. Definately talk to the dentist first.
As for the issue of her turning 18, they dont have to get permission but on the same end your daughter would then be responsible for her own dental bill since she would be of age so hopefully she understands that. Hope this works out for you! If there is truly a problem then you should be able to see it on the xrays yourself!

**MisaLady** · 10-03-2008, 01:19 AM

As somebody who has serious teeth problems because of something that could have been taken care of (in part) when I was a teenager, I think you should pull that tooth. You have no idea what the lasting effects of NOT doing that could be. And with teeth, a lot of times, by the time you SEE the problem, it's too late to help. I get being frugal, I really do, but teeth don't grow back... I would have another dentist take a look, at least.

**nvmommyx6** · 10-03-2008, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by berryshaker

My 16 yro daughter went to the dentist today to get her cleaning. Mind you, we have no insurance, and our dentist does not give us a break for paying cash or charge us less because of no insurance.... Anyway, I was at work, she drove herself..They said she has a baby tooth that has never came out and an adult tooth (molar, I believe) that they need to bring down. This would involve pulling the baby tooth, and SURGERY to bring down the adult tooth, then also involving braces......WTH?????? She has no crowded teeth, no problems, no infections..... are these people just trying to get my money??? I am one of those parents that thinks braces are not necessary unless there are some serious issues...Almost everyone I know has kids that they have put braces on and some were needed and then others I couldn't understand why they were put on.....

I have not talked to the dentist myself, this is what my dd is telling me.... and then the dr told my dd that when she is 18 they won't HAVE to call mom to get permission....Well, by God, they will if I am paying for it......I am so mad right now.....Granted , this is what my dd is telling me, but I don't doubt it for a minute.....Would you get a second opinion????? What would you do????

Please give me some advice...

Thanks,
Sheri

I would go see the dentist and exrays myself, my 6 year old son went in for a cavity a year ago, they wanted to do a friggin root canal on a 6 year old boy on a baby tooth for god sakes lol, I told him hell no, I am not putting my son through something like that on a damned tooth he'll lose in a year from now or less.
Sure as hell he lost that tooth about a month later, that would have been almost a $600 tooth fairy blowout!!!!
I have had problems with my teeth for years, I fought with dentists from childhood, they blamed me for doing drugs and I have been clean for 20 years this dec 14th....I found a good dentist last year, recognized the genetic pireah and pulled my teeth....now when I have a toothache, I take them out and clean them! And they dont cause blood infections anymore!