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May 30, 2013 at 5:21 am #607685
SGParticipantSo I just saw a new dentist in the neighborhood. He seemed pretty nice, but I’m not sure about what he says he can do. He said I have 7 cavities. (Although I haven’t had one in 20 years, it is possible as a while back I was very ill and didn’t brush my teeth very much as it made me throw up. I know that’s gross) But he said he can fill all 7 cavities in one and half hours. Is this possible? It would be $3000 that seems like a lot of money and not very much time. Also he said I needed braces and he could do them. Wouldn’t I go to a orthodontist? Is he trying to rip me off? Any advice would be great. Thank you so much
May 30, 2013 at 5:25 am #790831
JanSParticipantSecond opinions never hurt if you’re not sure. Perhaps checking with another dentist in the area who has a good reputation..I’m sure people on here would recommend someone.
May 30, 2013 at 1:32 pm #790832
anonymeParticipantHave you considered UW Dental School? It will be more time consuming, but way cheaper. I had a root canal done there a few months ago, and the grad student who did the work was awesome.
May 30, 2013 at 2:06 pm #790833
hammerheadParticipantSG, yikes do you have dental insurance. It helps a bit.
As for UW dental school, the wait list is really long, and you have to make an appointment when the students are learning that type of procedure. My friend had to wait up to 6 months for one tooth.
I will recommend my dentist while NOT in West Seattle, he is in Burien. They have a very gentle hand. Kenner Williams 206-248-1339
Good Luck
HH
May 30, 2013 at 2:10 pm #790834
BreezyParticipantI agree with JanS, get a second opinion. My dentist is Kyle Smits at 5647 California Ave. I’ve not had any work done, only a check up and cleaning, but the office was well run, everyone was professional, and I would recommend seeing him. And as far as the time allowed, I once had to have 6 fillings removed and re-filled – 2 hours of having my mouth open constantly. Looking back, I would’ve booked two appointments!
May 30, 2013 at 2:11 pm #790835
TanDLParticipantDefinitely get a second opinion, maybe a third. A recent study I read sent a person with healthy teeth to dentists across the country and the diagnosis results were shocking, as well as the estimates for repairing teeth that had nothing wrong with them. I don’t remember who did the study, but the amount of dentists willing to find problems where there were none was well over 50% and charges varied wildly. Google dental rip-offs for confirmation that a second opinion is a good thing.
Here’s one article as an example: http://benemax.go2dental.com/ReaderDigestArticle.pdf
May 30, 2013 at 2:12 pm #790836
jMemberSeven fillings in that amount of time seems unrealistic to me. I guess it depends on where they are and their depth. I would get a second opinion. I’ve had a ton of fillings and that would be record timing.
May 30, 2013 at 2:13 pm #790837
BonnieParticipantI don’t see how it could be possible to do 7 teeth at once. I had one filling redone and it took an hour. Also, that is over $400 a filling and I don’t think my filling was that much.
May 30, 2013 at 3:36 pm #790838
skeeterParticipantI think my dentist charged about $200 per filling but that was many years ago so I’m not sure.
I would get a second opinion before paying $3,000. That’s for sure.
May 30, 2013 at 4:37 pm #790839
happywalkerParticipantSG it really depends on where the fillings are, what kind of material, how large are they. So there is a bit of info missing, hopefully you given those answers. Were you presented with a hard copy Treatment Plan? Was a payment plan offered? Any over the counter discount offered? I work in the dental field, so these would be important questions. Usually no one NEEDS orthodontics (braces). If it’s a cosmetic issue there is always an option. Does the appearance of your teeth bother YOU? If not and there are no underlying issues, sounds like your choice. Also if you do get a second opinion there shouldn’t be a charge for the dentist to do a quick consult. Bring or have your current xrays sent so the dentist can look at them and answer your questions. Hope that helps
May 31, 2013 at 12:49 am #790840
Ms. SparklesParticipantAs someone who is still dealing with the effects of having a shady dentist drill teeth unnecessarily 24 years later, I BEG you to get a second opinion.
I love my dentist (Brett Shupack – Alki Dentistry 206-933-9300) even though he’s fairly expensive (but less that $400 a filling!) because he listens and explains. When I started seeing him I had a deep distrust of Dentists and he respected my need to know exactly what was being done, why and if it could wait.
PLEASE don’t let anyone fast talk or bully you into work you may not need.
May 31, 2013 at 1:26 am #790841
Genesee HillParticipantI will tell you, this reeks of dental chair robbery. Heck, you could have two teeth pulled and replaced with implants for that price.
A second opinion and a third opinion is in order. 3000 bucks for one and a half hour chair time is dental chair robbery.
This is not unbelievable. I had a co-worker who was bamboozled in the same manner. He wisely got a second opinion and was treated FAIRLY.
May 31, 2013 at 3:38 am #790842
trickycooljParticipantDefinitely get a second opinion. A friend of mine saw a dentist for his first visit in 10 years and he had 13 cavities. They did it in 4 appointments, one for each quadrant. I can’t imagine getting 7 in 90min!
I also had a shady dentist when I lived in the north end. When they heard I was a month away from switching to a job with Washington Dental Service which they refused to accept (snotty high end office) they told me all these “soft spots” they had been “monitoring” for 4 years all needed filled right this minute! I unfortunately obliged before my old coverage ended and it took 2 appointments. I had never had a cavity in my life and suddenly had 3? The only thing I may have done differently was using crest white strips.
When I switched to my current dentist that gladly accepted my WDS coverage (from a massive local employer BTW) she noted one of my 6 month old cavities was already cracked and another was very poorly done and in need of repair. She showed me and explained what was wrong on the X-rays. She is also a perfectionist and follows a 10-step procedure for all her fillings so the patient doesn’t get crappy fillings that need redone. (Lakeside Dental in Greenlake if you’re interested)
I hope you find a Dentist you are confident and comfortable with! Please make sure to get a second opinion!
May 31, 2013 at 5:59 am #790843
SGParticipantThank you so much for all the feedback! I will get another opinion. I do have insurance, but it is not very good so I was trying to avoid more bills. But I think a consultation with someone else is a must. Again thank you! Love WSB!
May 31, 2013 at 1:44 pm #790844
BreezyParticipantSG, I also had insurance but coverage was limited. Many health providers will set up a payment schedule with patients. If memory serves me correct, after my insurance was billed, I was able to make 3 or 4 monthly payments towards my bill. Good luck..
May 31, 2013 at 1:53 pm #790845
kayoParticipantGet a second opinion definitely! I hate to say it, but you have to watch out with dentists these days. It could be true, but better to make sure!
May 31, 2013 at 2:13 pm #790846
Genesee HillParticipantI believe that is one reason that when people find a good dentist, they tend to stick with them. When I moved to West Seattle 22 years a go, I stuck with my dentist in Kirkland. It is worth the drive as opposed to possibly getting lucky when finding a new one.
May 31, 2013 at 3:34 pm #790847
SueParticipantGenesee Hill, I agree with you. When I moved from NYC to NJ, I still commuted back for the dentist. I saw him from the time I was a child until I was in my early 40s. After some of my dealings with dentists in Seattle, there are days I want to fly to NY for the dentist!
May 31, 2013 at 5:53 pm #790848
trickycooljParticipantGenesee Hill and Sue, same here! Almost considered going back to Olympia after the not so great experience in Northgate, unfortunately the Oly dentist had very limited hours. I only picked the Northgate place because it was a fancy new medical/dental building across the street from my apartment, made it so easy to bus home from work downtown and catch the last appointment of the day. I thought all the fancy new technology they had made them better. Just made their rates out of control and they were not willing to take Delta Dental of WA. After losing so many patients they finally conceded if the patient paid the difference! I guess when you stop accepting the insurance provided by a certain local aerospace company that you lose a more than a few patients.
At least sticking with my new dentist in Greenlake I have a nice excuse to walk the lake and visit with friends in the area after getting off work early. :)
May 31, 2013 at 6:04 pm #790849
JiggersMemberNo money for teeth. No need dentist. All most all gone anyways…lol
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