Evil Dentist Conspiracy?

Question

I think lots of dentists have a hidden agenda - to do a marginal job so customers have to go back again and again. In some situations, filling problem turns into root canal case etc so they get more money/work.

I'm not saying all dentists are bad but I'm really losing faith.

I had 5 filling done last year with composite at a local dentist chain. One year later all fillings have either fallen, dislodged, or chipped which has been causing me uneasiness and pain. I went back to another dentist working for the chain a week ago cos friend of mine said he was good.

He took out the dislodged filling and filled the tooth. It has been very sensitive to cold stuff, even tap water. It's also quite sore to chew on. I was waken up by it the second night after so I went back to him but he said it was common after filling and basically told me to "toughen up".

I also got very sensitive/painful gum once in a while after eating which is so irritating.

Could someone explain? Thank you

I'm no expert but logically I know everytime you visit the dentist for a filling or whatever he/she fires up the drill and start filing - doesn't that mean if the job's not done properly you end up having to go back again and again and the hole he/she works with is just gonna get bigger and bigger and eventually turns into a major?

I'm having such sensitive tooth after my latest filling and my whole gum (not only the area around where the tooth filling was done) occasionally gets so irritated and painful. I had the filling done a week ago now, could someone explain?

I really appreciate your guys' detailed answers especially some of you from the dental field. I've carefully read all the answers.

So is it safe to say then, the cheaper/more affordable (chain) dentists are the ones who are likely to have a hidden agenda?

I started having annual dentist visits since 2005 and this year I got told I am a grinder! The dentist's also the first one who gave me a mirror and let me have a look in my mouth.

I'm thinking about buying a mouth guard from a sports shop to wear when I sleep - though my partner doesn't think I grind at night.

I just think it's unfair - I was never that kid with a lolly in his mouth all the time; I use electronic toothbrush 2 to 3 times a day; I rinse with mouth wash at night before bed and sometimes warm saltwater; I carry sugarless gum around all the time - WHY SHOULD I BE SO TROUBLED?

If anyone could give me more tips on how to take care of teeth that'd be great.

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Now I have to find a dentist who's gonna take away all my money once I get paid - probably that's not even gonna be enough.

I'm in my early 20's with a new job so not on a high salary. I felt embarrassed reading someone's comment about "you get what you pay for".

I think subconsciously I knew that but which way should I go: having a decay and save up which will take ages or going to the more affordable dentist and fill it up right away?

I think the "good dentists" charge something like 1200 or more for a composite filling but a dentist chain only charges 140.

Hate to be a poor person!

Answer 1

You get what you pay for, as is true with anything in life. Going to a dental "chain" are usually known for cheap services and poor quality. Next time, try going to someone with a good reputation prior to your visit, ask around, but don't lump all of them as money-grubbing-hidden-agenda, only-want-to-see-you-in-pain-and-milk-this patient-dry-just-because-I-can type, that is very unfair to the ones who strive to do a good job, just don't broadcast it.
Sensitivity to cold is a common issue and should diminish within the next two weeks.
To explain why teeth get sensitive to cold is like stripping off the insulation on a wire, the closer you get to the nerve the more chance for sensitivity, but it should be only short term. If you said you were sensitive to hot and cold that could be an indication that the decay came close to the nerve and the nerve could be exposed or it could be that the decay was too close to the nerve and the nerve is shot.
Try applying some Sensodyne toothpaste to the area before going to bed (light layer and don't rinse it off) it may or may not help.
The bite could be high, which does also cause some sensitivity issues, but doesn't sound like that is the case with your situation.
Sounds also like you haven't visited a dentist on regular basis and once you do get on a regular schedule all these issues will diminish as the visits get easier and less cavities are found as well.

Answer 2

Evil Dentist

Answer 3

First of all the composite fillings are plastic and they shrink over time which will cause bacteria to get in between the filling and the tooth. That will cause more decay! The only way that it could be the dentist's fault is if the tooth was not bonded well enough. If it was not bonded very good then the filling will come out. That would have happened shortly after having them done, not a year later. The tooth that has been bothering you sounds like it is infected. If a tooth is sensitive to hot, cold, pressure, keeps you awake or wakes you up at night and you have a throbbing pain then the nerve is infected and you will need to have a root canal. If the filling was deep then it could be pressing on the nerve which will cause you pain. I would see another dentist to get a second opinion. Do not put it off because if the tooth is infected you need to be put on some antibiotics because it is not good for your body to have an infection like that. I hope that you feel better soon and please go see a different dentist.

Answer 4

No, I don't agree with you about dentist, but then again I have been in the dental field for over a decade so I guess you could say I kinda tend to stick up for dentists, since I actually understand what really goes on when talking about dental work.

I understand how it doesn't make sense for someone with no dental knowledge, though. There is some degree of sensitivity after a filling is done. It does include cold or pressure pain. Pressure pain could mean the filling is too high and needs to be adjusted. Simple and a common procedure. As far as the fillings chipping after only one year, well that could mean numerous things, not all point at faulty work. It could have been a cheaper, therefore weaker material that was used. You mentioned that it was a chain, and having worked for one of those before for over 3 years, and having been the one who ordered the supplys, I can tell you they do not usually buy the best materials available. Also, you could be a tooth clencher or grinder, and be unaware of it. This could also cause the fillings to chip and break. Also the bigger a filling is, the more likely it is to start breaking and chipping.

Another thing that could cause a filling to "fall out" after only a year, is recurrent decay. If you have a high or even moderate sugar intake, then you could have developed decay around the edges of the existing filling and then the filling would have eventually broken, dislodged, or fallen out. I have seen it happen hundreds of times.

Without knowing your actual history, habits, seeing your x-rays, and examining your teeth, there is just no way to tell you if this was faulty work or beyond a dentists control.

In my office our main goal is to educate our patients in dentistry. We want our patients to understand as much about dentistry as possible. This avoids alot of upset patients, as they know what to expect with their work, because they know their own habits, they know the condition of the tooth, and they know what to watch out for. If we do a filling and it is really deep and is done on a grinder, we pre-warn them that they might have future problems with the tooth, that might mean they would need a root canal or a crown. That way they knew up front and were not blindsided by anything.

Answer 5

2 dentist's in a row told me I grind my teeth at night several years ago, which is strange, because no one ever mentioned this before and they suggested I should buy one of thier 500 dollar mouth guards lol. I do not grind my teeth, this has been since proven. Next they tried to say I have high blood pressure, another lie I proved wrong! And if you dare question or complain they can really make your life a living hell!

Answer 6

Dentists are scam artists. Period. Dental assistants are the janitor of the medical field. You can't trust a dental person any more than a mechanic. They don't make money from fixing problems they make it from causing new problems. Flouride, wisdom teeth, root canals- its all a big scam to get money. Do you really think they give 2 shits about you? Use your head

Answer 7

I would never use the silver filings. I had one break my tooth in half after having it for years. I lost the top of the tooth and had to have a crown. Use the white stuff (is that called composite?-if so, sorry for the info you didn't need)

If this dr. and another dr. from the same chain is not good-lose the chain.
I have had mostly good experiences with dentists. Although NOT when they were dealing with my TMJ-they were all full of it with that deal.
I think the guy did a crappy job, and if you saw another dentist, one not affiliated he would probably agree. Good luck.

Answer 8

My bud works for the biggest dential supply company in the US and he says he gets calls from dentist asking questions about how to use their stuff with the patient in the other room right in the chair. He says at times he is utterly amazed at the stupidity they display to him but hide from their patients.
In my experience a chain is a bad place to go. A dentist that runs his own practice is usually better but even that is hit or miss. Keep searching until you find a kind and skilled practioner then stick with him and hope he/she never retires.

Answer 9

ok, its not proper to think that ur dentist, or other dentist have hidden agenda. remember, most people only think of their dentist when something is already bothering them, higher percentage when we are all in pain, thats why most of the cases are only resolve by extraction of tooth. why? because most people think that every option their dentist suggest is a thing with bad agenda or a waste of money, thats why ending up in a conclusion that dentist only thinks to earn money and not to help you. also remember that a dislodge restoration is not all at dentist fault. most of them are also from us. we always refuse to follow proper instructions given to us. remember, if our original teeth is capable of wearing, chipping or breaking. what more we expect to the artificial solutions that we seek to them. a sensitive teeth is not always due to cavity or the depth of the hole made up on our restorations. most of the times it is due to gingival or periodontal problem. like if you are wearing a pajamas, try to lift up the cloth up to your knee area, for sure you will feel the breeze of air or coldness of wind, like ur gums, if it is swollen irritated or receid allready exposing the root area of your tooth because of bad oral habits, improper toothbrushing or not brushing at all, for sure u will feel the same thing u feel when ur pajamas are up. remember that our refferal to other people is deeply appreciated by the dentist, thats why im sure that most dentist will do everything to satisfy our needs without thinking of bad conspiracy or hidden agenda. pls pay more attention to your oral health than your parlor hours. the amount you invested to your hair is much higher than the amount you invest in your teeth. remember that hair grows everytime, and your teeth does not.also nextime just do more favor in your dental appointments than your cellphones.

Answer 10

nar not all dentist are THAT bad........ to customers.
now dental assistance they get the S**T loads of abuse by everybody, (i know this is a differnt path from your question but it can answer it as well jst bear with me)
-kids who have sore teeth need it pulled.
-adults who what there tooth pulled or fixed but not willing to PAY for it
-people on phones when people are trying to book but want a particular time but cant get it WORST when they cant speak English
-the dentist making them rush between every customer while phones are going off
-clean everything and wipe down everything ready for the next customer.
-and getting talked up by grubby 55+ men
answer to your question it might not be the dentist but the assistant insted that is making that tooth sore as they hold the equiptment :P