I just went for a check-up at the dentist and he said I need 4 fillings - all in different "sections" of my mouth (top teeth, right side, lower teeth, right side, etc). He wants me to do this over 4 visits. I really wonder if there's some sort of issue with doing them all at once. I just hate to miss 4 mornings of work - and have to get 4 numbing shots! Has anyone else experienced this and did your dentist give you a reason for not doing them all at once?
2007-03-11 04:30:40 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Barberry is correct.
As someone who actually works for a dentist, I can tell you that they charge the same price per filling whether they're done at once or in separate visits. The dentist will make the same amount of money, so obviously that is not the issue.
The issue is, however, with numbing. When you need to be numbed on your bottom jaw for a procedure, the numbing medicine is injected into the hinge of the jaw. On the bottom, it numbs that whole bottom side of your mouth. Surely people don't want their whole bottom jaw numb!
He's trying to protect you from burns from hot food, biting your jaw or tongue and the general discomfort of an entirely numb mouth.
Good question!
Best wishes!
2007-03-11 05:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by Josi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been in Dentistry for 13 yrs. and I can assure you , fillings are charged out alone, without an office visit. Insurance will not pay for an office visit and a filling at the same time so the idea that he wants more money is incorrect. He may be worried about the anesthesia. If he were to numb all 4 sides you would not be able to chew or control your saliva for that matter!! Also, you would be at risk for biting your cheek or tongue, because when you have an injection on the bottom, 9 times out of ten the Dr. will do a block which numbs all of the teeth on that side, plus it numbs half of your lip and tongue. Tell him your scenario and he may do both fillings on 1 side for you, so long as they are not extremely large fillings. So, in reality he will make the same amount of money if it takes 1 or 50 visits to do your fillings. Good Luck and I hope this was helpful!!!
2007-03-11 12:20:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I recently had quite a bit of work done on my teeth and my dentist only did one section of the mouth at a time, 4 seperate visits were needed. I would think it would have something to do with numbing your entire mouth at once.
2007-03-11 11:48:26 · answer #3 · answered by nwiebe36 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It could be the the time frame. If he does two quads that might take 6- 8 units which is like 3 hours so finding a large opening like that in the schedule is hard. He also might thinks it's better for you not to have 2 quads of your mouth numb, you could always ask too. At our office we do.
2007-03-11 15:20:26 · answer #4 · answered by TIM'S HOUSE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask if you can break the appointment up into 2 visits (one for the right side and one for the left side). Explain to him you can't miss that much work. We do this for our patients everyday with no problems; but trust me, you wouldn't like being numb in your entire mouth at once.
2007-03-11 12:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by justine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a dentist who will. While you may not want to have all four teeth filled in one visit as you will probably be so numb you will drool for a several hours, it seems ridiculous that he/she won't fill at least two in one sitting. I am in agreement with the other answers that suggest the dentist gets more money if you come to him more often.
2007-03-11 11:43:14 · answer #6 · answered by Marsha143 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He doesn't want to numb your whole mouth at once. If the fillings were in the same area of the mouth, then I'm sure he would do them all at once. But it's just because he doesn't want to have your whole mouth numbed.
2007-03-11 12:18:53 · answer #7 · answered by Heather <33 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be irresponsible for the dentist to numb up your entire mouth at one time. Besides being dangerous because you could not swallow correctly, he/she would be giving a large dosage of the local anesthetic...not a good idea.
Some dentists have evening and weekend hours. Perhaps you need to find one that does, to fit your schedule.
2007-03-11 11:36:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is all about money. The dentist gets paid 4 times for 4 visits, plus the money he makes for the fillings. Insist on doing them all at once and find another dentist if he wont.
2007-03-11 11:33:54 · answer #9 · answered by helplessromatic2000 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If u will give the dentist money of 5 times then he/she can do multiple filling
2007-03-11 11:40:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋