Get all cavities filled as recommended by dentist?
I haven't been to a dentist in last few years until today and I have been told by the dentist that 11 of my posterior molars/teeth have cavities that need filling. The dentist is charging my insurance almost $900 and my share of the cost is almost nothing. My concern is that only 3-4 teeth have proper cavities that are dentin-level deep and serious be filled. The remaining ones seem like micro-cavities. Should I get them all filled without waiting to see if those micro-cavities mature into full cavities 5-10 years from now. The problem is Im afraid to get the dental-drill work done because then I'll have to get refills done every 4-5 years indefinitely. What would you recommend and how do you typically decide on this?
$900 overall is pretty fair, and as you mentioned there’s little cost to you. Just get them filled, man. Preventative maintenance; there’s not really any downside.
Get a second opinion. I've been in a similar situation, but the 9 cavities I was supposed to have filled only resulted in two I got filled by another dentist. The others haven't developed into proper cavities even 14 years later
Even still, it doesn’t mean that fillings are harmful, and even though you got lucky, there’s still a chance that minor cavities can cause bigger problems down the line. With almost no out-of-pocket expense for OP, it seems like a no-brainer.
Problem is once you lose enamel (to fix the micro-cavities or stains on the molars), you lose it forever. It never grows back. It's almost free for me only now, but refills will come at a cost. Why fix something if it ain't broke?
Get that shit fixed asap before cavities turn into root canals
Yeah, unless you want root canals (I do NOT suggest that...) get it taken care of
Get a second opinion. Some of black spots don’t need to be filled. I have some of those for years and they never developed to cavities, but I go to dentist every 6 months for checking and cleaning. Perhaps your dentist knows that you will not come back that soon and is proposing to fill all them just to prevent them to get worse.
Look up the Nytimes article on microcavities
If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. Never trust a dentist, get a second opinion on something like this.
Sounds like nonsense. 900 for 11 cavities ? Treating one cavity costs more than that. Are you sure 900 is not your responsibility while he charges rest to the insurance ? If it's indeed 900, then sounds fishy. What kind of a self respecting dentists fills up 11 cavities for only 900
Bro look up Indian street dentist.
You should trust your dentist or go find other dentist. $900 is also very cheap when it comes to dental cost. So i would probably do it as long as my dentist is good.