I recently changed dentists & the new dentist took x-rays when my old ones were just done 2 yrs. ago. Typical?

Question

Or are they just trying to get more $$ from me/insurance? My old dentist took x-rays every 3-5 yrs. but it seems they are all trying to sell you on cosmetic dentistry, pulling out old fillings to do new ones, etc. Do you have this problem with yours??

Answer 1

I got xrays every time I went for a check up and clean, every 6 months. Its just to check if cavities have formed over time and to catch a cavity before it becomes more sever that you could lose a tooth and end up getting a crown or root canal. I think you got a good dentist, and it will only save you money in the future, because its better to fill a little hole, and cheaper, than say getting a root canal...

Answer 2

If your previous x-rays were sent to your new dentist, and it was a full mouth series (16 x-rays) there should be no reason for another one.

Dental insurance companies cover a full mouth series every 3-5 yrs. Depending on your insurance.

On the other hand...you may have just had bite-wing x-rays taken. These x-rays are taken every year to diagnose any carries between the teeth. Usually they will consist of 2-4 films. These x-rays are covered every year by insurance as well.

There are many reasons why dentists remove old fillings. Silver or amalgam fillings are not as good as white or composite fillings. The amalgam fillings are not bonded to your tooth structure and over time crack or leak. This will cause decay under a filling.Composite fillings are bonded to your tooth and actually become one w/ your tooth. They do not leak. This is the number one reason for replacing a filling.

If you have a silver filling replaced for strictly asthetic purposes it will not be covered by insurance. Insurance companies ask for an x-ray to determine if they are going to pay or not.

Usually dentists don't rip people off (even though most people seem to think they do). A dentist is not willing to loose his practice over a few hundred dollars. By law they have to suggest certain things that should be done. It is up to you to decide whether or not you are willing to go through w/ treatment or just let it go. Everything that is suggested is documented in your chart. If you choose to let it go and your teeth get worse, the dentist is not responsible b/c you were told about the problem.

All in all...a dentist is not going to cheat you. They are there to make sure your mouth stays healthy.

If you really feel you are being cheated, get a second opinion.

Answer 3

If your dentist takes the x-rays less than once a year, you should change the dentist.
It is for your benefit, the x-rays show any changes and can detect new cavities sooner that just by looking into the mouth. Whole mouth x-ray usually taken once in 3-5 years.
If you are a new patient in the office you are usually asked when was the last x-ray taken, and if it is less that one year the x-ray can be requested from your previous dentist.
As for a white fillings - they are pretty much replacing old silver nationwide. They are as good as silver, with no mercury in them. They are a bit more expensive and insurances don't like to pay for them tough. But than insurance never wants to pay for anything good. :)

Answer 4

With the fact that your new dentist has never seen inside your mouth, an oral X-ray is a good starting place to see if you have any hidden cavities, or problems that might pop up later, such as an impacted wisdom tooth. Once he is seeing you on a somewhat regular basis, I'm sure the X-rays will lengthen out again to every 3-5 years unless a sudden problem pops up, such as an abscess. I wish my last dentist had done this, as he only treated what was obvious, and now 3 years later I am having to remove all of my teeth due to untreated gum disease with bone deterioration.

Answer 5

It is very typical for a new Dentist to do his own x-rays. Alot can change in 2 years. My Dentist currently takes x-rays about every 2 years. I do agree with them trying to sell you all kinds of cosmetic stuff though. Mine always seems to be pitching something new.

Answer 6

Truth is you should have x-rays every 6 months. But don't let them tell you they need to replace old ones for NEW ones. A dentist did that to me once he took out the old ones, put in temps then thats when your problem will really begin.

Answer 7

If you are prone to cavities, then every 2 years is routine. Cavities take about 1 year to develop, and x-rays are the best way to catch them early. Maybe you can avoid a filling if caught early.

Answer 8

My dentist takes x-rays once a year...so no, I don't think they're ripping you off. Its a way to check if you have any new cavities.

Answer 9

My dentist takes x-rays every year.

Answer 10

Of course, whenever you transfer dentists they have to have new and old records of your teeth to keep you in their system because if you're going to a new dentist and you had to have something done to your teeth, then they know where to start.