I recently went to the dentist after 3 years and had a cleaning. She used this new machine that beeps if a tooth has a cavity. She told me i have 7 cavities (I have not had a problem my entire adult life) so i was very surprised when i heard this. I have NO insurance, and im basically broke, so there is no way i can afford the $1400 for all 7 fillings. My questions are:
Has anyone heard of this machine that detects fillings? what is your experience with that?
Can I wait until January (when i can get dental insurance) to get this taken care of.....or will my teeth be in dire straits?
I am torn and not sure what to do - help!
2006-08-09 05:35:07 · 12 answers · asked by friskygimp 5 in Health ➔ Dental
First, I would get a second opinion. I've never come across a dentist who has an instant-detect machine... and would rely on IT more than his own experience.
And $200 a filling? You're getting robbed.
Seven cavities, when you've had none in the past is VERY surprising. If they're minor cavities, they may not need to be filled at all... and may correct themselves with regular brushing.
Second, yes... you can wait... cavities, if they're well maintained (brushed often with a good toothpaste) can halt their progress. If they're not bothering you, then you have plenty of time.
Avoid whitening toothpaste as it may further the progress (they have abrasives in them)...
And good luck!
2006-08-09 05:39:51 · answer #1 · answered by Village Idiot 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most dentists just look at your mouth and figure it out. If she needed a machine maybe you should try another dentist. It not unusual to suddenly have many cavities like that. I never had cavities until I was grown and basically my teeth were wearing down. You may have facial cavities, where the tooth is worn in front, those can be put off a long time. If you have the deep kind in the back teeth you don't want to wait until they start hurting. I think you will be fine to wait until January. Use sensidine toothpaste. It coats the front of teeth and protects the enamel. When you get the dental insurance use it to go to another dentists and see what he says.
2006-08-09 05:39:25 · answer #2 · answered by tenaciousd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently went to the dentist for a check up. They didn't have the machine, but they did do x rays, and found 5 cavities!! The dentist advised that is because of the increase/change in my asthma inhalers and other medications. My cavities are pretty small, so I am waiting until after Christmas to have them filled. Did they do x rays also to confirm the cavities? If the cavities aren't too big, and aren't bothering you, I would think you would be ok to wait until your dental insurance kicks in. Good Luck!!
2006-08-09 05:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by Dee Dee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you will be fine waiting until January. There will still be an out of pocket cost there as well because You will probably go over your allotted amount for the year with 7 fillings.
The machine is very accurate and detect even a small cavity. I would ask the denist if you can wait for sure they will know.
2006-08-09 05:39:56 · answer #4 · answered by UOPHXstudent 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they aren't giving you any problems, then I would wait, but by the time you do get your dental insurance, the caveties would have grown some. Be careful because it doesn't take too long before you'd need a root canal or have the teeth pulled. If you can afford to fix the worst of them, you might be alright. I don't know much about those machines, but X-rays are how my dentists shows me bad teeth.
2006-08-09 05:40:21 · answer #5 · answered by daveypa22 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never heard of a machine that beeps when you have a cavity!
Never heard of a dentist charging $200 per fillling.
Try going to another dentist and don't tell the 2nd dentist you went to anyone previously. See what this dentist tells you.
2006-08-09 05:38:59 · answer #6 · answered by kja63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I go to the dentist often and I never saw such a machine. That does not mean it doesn't exist. Go to another dentist when you get your insurance, if you can't see or feel any cavities.
2006-08-09 05:41:59 · answer #7 · answered by Jacks036 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you trust this dentist? Most dentists detect cavities by visual observation, not by using a machine that beeps. it would be prudent to get another dentist's opinion.
2006-08-09 05:42:07 · answer #8 · answered by soar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry to hear that.
i suggest you ask the dentist to do the filling(s) for one tooth or two teeth that's more serious. that should be more affordable for now.
it is not advisable to wait till next jan as you could lose your tooth (or worse, teeth) by then. an implant is going to cost you a lot more.
2006-08-09 05:42:38 · answer #9 · answered by ash 7 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im not familiar with this machine but i do know its important to get fillings as quickly as possible as it can get very painful
2006-08-09 05:39:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋