Say your teeth are pretty messed up...

Cellar_Door

And you go to your dentist to get one thing done (e.g. a minor filling) and the dentist notices some other problems that need to be sorted, yet you can only afford enough for the one treatment (the filling). What happens then? Can you just say, I'm going to have to cancel?

I want to get a scale and polish, but I can't afford to be paying more money on anything else, even if some extra work needs to be done. I already got financially molested by my dentist the last time - because she continually pointed out new minor things I needed done, and I kept...coming...back.

Heckler

I'm in the same boat as you. Need to have a scaling/cleaning done but i know for a fact the dentist is going to tell me I need a load of work. You are paying them for work done so you dictate what they do. Unless there is some dental/medical reason why they can't carry out your procedure then you should be ok.

You are paying them to do what you want. Take their advice onboard but don't be pushed into treatment you don't want/need.

ballsymchugh

look at it this way. if you don't want the work done, and they do it, it's technically assault. now most dentists will comply with your wishes as you do have the power to bite their fingers off. and if you can't pay, then they're working for free.
don't worry about it, ask what's really urgent, and if you can, get that sorted, and just keep the rest as clean as possible so it won't get much worse.

fifth

I doubt any dentist would just work on your teeth if you didn't want them to.

Really, you probably do need the work done. Dentists are pretty busy most of the time and I'm sure they're not making up excuses to bring you back.

Spread the appointments over the course of a few months. Make sure you get the work done because it could end up being more expensive (and painful) in the long run.

Cellar_Door

Thank you for the replies. I have a follow-up question:

I want to go to a different dentist than my normal one - because I am pretty much convinced my current dentist is going to fleece me. However, the current dentist was in touch with my orthodontist, setting up a meeting for me.

Will I screw things up by visiting a different dentist?

ballsymchugh

no, but mention it to your orthodontist that you've switched in the meantime. if you don't want to tell the truth, just say you're moving or something.

georgieporgy

if you're planning on having orthodontic treatment you would be well advised to get all necessary fillings done first.

DaveTwenty7

Also worth sorting out any other problems eg gum disease

Cellar_Door "I want to get a scale and polish, but I can't afford to be paying more money on anything else, even if some extra work needs to be done."

I'm a little confused you can't afford recommended work but are planning on seeing an orthodontist?

ballsymchugh

DaveTwenty7 wrote: »

Also worth sorting out any other problems eg gum disease

Cellar_Door "I want to get a scale and polish, but I can't afford to be paying more money on anything else, even if some extra work needs to be done."

I'm a little confused you can't afford recommended work but are planning on seeing an orthodontist?

priority should be to have teeth at all, straight or not.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Having orthodontics will cost a lot more than the fillings. No point having straight decayed or broken teeth. Get your teeth healthy first. I am afriad as much as you would like to only spend on the things you want most, the health of the teeth is more important than getting them straight. In fact most orthodontists will not start braces untill all decay and gum disease is sorted.

girlingalway

You say that your dentist "kept pointing you new minor things that had to be done". If she keeps spotting new areas of decay then I would strongly suggest looking at your diet and your oral hygeine practices BEFORE GETTING BRACES ON. Lots of patients get a nasty shock when they get theire braces taken off and all of their teeth have brown marks where the brackets were because their oral hygeine/diet wasn't up to scratch while their braces where on. Your priority should be a mouth of healthy teeth and gums before getting braces on.