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Should I get a second opinion?

  • 24-04-2014 02:29PM
    #1
    sinkingfish
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 94 ✭✭


    Last week a tooth of mine chipped, so I went to the dentist and he put in a filling, but said I may need more work and should come back for an xray and check up.

    Just back from the xray and checkup - the recommended treatment plan is 1 root canal, and 9 fillings (some new, some replacment). Total cost €1275. Seems like a lot of work.

    Should I get a second opinion? How much if any of this can I claim back from revenue?


Comments

  • #2
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,749 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    When was your last trip to the dentist?


  • #3
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,940 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    140 for a first stage root filling?? fairly reasonable.

    OP, find a dentist you trust, and stick with them. build up a rapport over time. every dentist needs a baseline, and over years, some dentists will know when to intervene on a tooth that looks suspect on patients they see fairly regularly.
    however, if you switch dentists, then they may intervene straight away, because to them, it could be a new lesion.


  • #4
    Dianthus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 933 ✭✭✭Dianthus


    Probably no harm.
    Many surgeries nowadays use technology to better communicate treatment need to the patient, eg: intraoral camera, digital radiographs. However, even something as basic as a hand-held mirror can be used (mainly for lower teeth) to demonstrate decay/cavities. Some dentists are more interactive in their approach.
    If you have a high sugar/refined carbohydrate diet, rarely floss, rarely attend the dentist/hygienist...it's not unheard of to require a high volume of treatment.
    Anyway, should you choose to get a second opinion, obtain a copy of the xray taken at the first surgery; no point in receiving a second dose of radiation also ;)


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