WWYD? on dental issue......

**lovestoread** · 09-30-2008, 12:23 PM

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

**Russ** · 09-30-2008, 12:32 PM

Perfect time for a life lesson for the daughter. Ask her opinion, then tell her your thoughts and instill in her that if you're paying, you get the ultimate decision.

I would definitely get a second opinion.

**xtena** · 09-30-2008, 12:34 PM

By all means, talk to the dentist yourself, then get a second opinion. I'm with you on the braces issue; people survived thousands of years without them, and if there are no seriously crooked teeth or overcrowding, then I would think twice before putting out the money.

Oh, and as far as telling her that when she's eighteen they won't have to call you... did they 'bully' or try to scare her into doing it right away? They certainly can't just strap her down on the spot and perform work without her consent. So I hope you've taught her that physicians and dentists are not infallible; treatment decisions need to be thought over; second and even third opinions are allowed, and that she should stand up for herself and never act hastily or agree to anything 'on the spot'.

**FrugalMomof3** · 09-30-2008, 12:41 PM

I say get a 2nd opinion for sure AND if your paying the bill, you have the final say, if she goes behind your back to get work done even though you said NOT too, make her get a job to pay for it.

**tammy8701** · 09-30-2008, 12:52 PM

l get this ever time l take my son 15 to the dentist that he needs braces and there is nothing wrong with his teeth we also have no dental plan and we get charged $200.00 for the checkup and no break of it either

**Bournecrazy** · 09-30-2008, 12:58 PM

if the tooth has no problems and dont see why if they only just noticed it then i would get a second opionion or change dentist

**Darlene** · 09-30-2008, 01:09 PM

I'd call the dentist before I got all upset. Call and get it from them and ask any questions you have. There are times that baby teeth do need to be pulled to make room for other teeth to come down.

Call and all will be reveled.

**cheapskate 49** · 09-30-2008, 03:30 PM

I agree with Darlene-call the dentist and get his opinion.
I would be mighty upset at the comment about when she is over 18-does he think you're her jailer or what.My Dh had a baby tooth that was in till he was in his 40's it stayed in so long because there was no permanent tooth trying to get out,I would want to see the x-rays,why would the tooth not come down on it's own once the obstacle had been removed?
I would seriously think about changing dentists this one sounds like he failed the patient/client communication exam

**madhen** · 09-30-2008, 07:23 PM

I agree that you should talk to the dentist directly. You are getting your daughter's version, which may be filtered through her perceptions. I would also explain to the dentist that you don't have the money for the procedure, unless it is an emergency, and get a realistic explanation from him/her as to how badly this needs to be dealt with.

**Jessesbride** · 09-30-2008, 08:02 PM

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

Just so ya know, I was told the same thing at 18 (about 4 diff. teeth ~ 2 had a tooth to go in it's place & 2 that didn't) & I am now 33 & have had NO problems at all with my teeth. I personally would not worry about it! JMHO!!! If it's not bothering her, leave it be!!

Kim

**Jessesbride** · 09-30-2008, 08:03 PM

You might also want to find a more reputable dentist. one that WILL give you a financial break! JMO!!!

Kim

**PrairieRose** · 09-30-2008, 09:08 PM

I 2nd calling the dentist or going in to see him face to face. Get the info yourself, his recommendations, etc.... then I'd get a 2nd opinion if I wasn't satisfied.

**katholc** · 09-30-2008, 09:32 PM

I went to a dentist who told me after a year and a half that I needed Gingivitis surgery. My first thought was "why didn't you tell me this before?" My husband went to see him also and was told the same thing before he even had his teeth cleaned. We went to a different dentist and the new dentist told us neither of us needed surgery.

Definitely get a second opinion.

**Iansmommy** · 09-30-2008, 11:31 PM

I would definately get a second opinion and also speak with the dentist directly.

I did have the same problem as a child. I had a baby tooth that never fell out and the perm. tooth was actually under the roof of my mouth. I ended up having oral surgery to have a bracket attached to the tooth. They did it by surgically exposing the tooth by pulling back the roof of my mouth. They then pulled it down with braces. I'm glad I had it done and they did tell us that if we didn't have it corrected the tooth that was under the skin in the roof of my mouth would probably cause problems with the roots of my other teeth.

Insurance wouldn't actually pay for the braces because they said it was cosmetic even though the dentist said it was necessary.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 10-01-2008, 12:08 AM

I have a tooth like that. My teeth aren't the greatest (I have some crowding, some that are not aligned properly with others, etc) and my bottom tooth next to my incisor is a baby tooth. The dentist told me he'd extract the one in there now, pull up the adult one and then leave it at that. There was a mention of braces but only to correct the very back teeth.

I'd get a second opinion.