I realize it has been a while since I have done a "real" post, but while this story is fresh in my mind I wanted to document it before I get into the juicy posts ;)
In February I decided it was finally time to take Jadyn in for her first dentist appointment to get all checked out and make sure everything looks good. Well I was told that she had two cavities on the top molars and was referred to a pediatric dentist. The waiting list was so long that I was worried when I finally got in over a month later. Well this dentist told me that she did indeed have two cavities on her top molars as well as her two back bottom molars, and the bottom teeth right in front look like the beginnings of cavities and might just need to be sealed. I was devastated! And for the last 6 months have been stressed out over what to do. They told me my options are to a) take her to the hospital for where they knock her out and do all the dental work at once including polishing and any sealants I might want and fill all the teeth. Or b) they could do it at the office and would give her some gas to relax her and then do the regular freezing but depending on how she reacted to it, it might take a few visits to get it all done. Oh boy. So I got quotes for it all and then lost them, so had to get the quotes again and then I thought about it for way to long not really liking either of my choices. Oh and even if I did book the appointments to get the work done they couldn't fit me in for another 6 months at the earliest, what the...? So finally last night I called up my old dentist from when I was a little girl and remembering having good experiences with him decided to give him a try. So they got me in this morning (brownie points with me already for not having to wait over a month) and they not only polished and flossed her teeth while making her feel comfortable and relaxed the whole time, but when the dentist came in he pointed out that there was a little staining on some of the back teeth that I need to be careful with, and if I don't look after them then they might turn into decay. WHAT?! "So what about the cavities?" I ask. "There are none" he says. (my heart skips a beat) He checked again and confirmed that there are no soft spots and only dark spots but absolutely no decay. Ok I am over the moon! Best day of my life!
All the way home I was smiling, and the thought occurred to me, what if I had made the appointment with the pediodontist and they had knocked her out and gotten in there only to find that they hadn't looked well enough the first time and they were only stains. Would they have told me or would they have done unnecessary work just to save face? I guess I'll never know. I would hope they would admit that they were wrong. I am going to stick with the third opinion!
8 comments:
Wow, I am so glad it worked out. I think sometimes dentists have different opinions of what a cavity it. For years and years I never had cavities, then I switched dentists and suddenly had 10 all at once! Maybe all of that extra care you were giving her teeth made a difference!
wow, good thing you went to the other dentists. i could imagine going through that at that age. I'm glad things worked out.
doesn't that just drive you crazy - I'm so glad you thought to check in with your dentist! hooray for him!
truth of it is - some dentists will suggest filling *almost cavities* or *weak/dark spots* on the premise that they will have to at some point anyways...*urgh*
glad it worked out though and sooo happy jadyn didn't have to go through either option.
Working at a dental office I hear people with horror stories about this all the time. Unfortunately there are a lot of dentist that try to do as many filings as possible for the money. I'm so glad your old dentist was honest!!!!!!!! The office I work for the 2 dentist are awesome & honest let me know if you ever want a referral.
wow Laura - I can't imagine poor little Jadyn being put under! poor little thing! I'm so glad she is totally fine. I can just picture you being sooo happy during your car ride home - what a good ending to your story!
im so glad she was fine!!!!!
ive also heard tons of stories like this, where there was no caviites at all, and often just a dentist trying to make a buck. How sad. But because we arent dentists ourselves, how do we prove them wrong?!
I guess always get a second or third opinion! Nice work momma!!!
That is aboulutely horrifing that hey would want to fill teeth that dont need fillings. Ive heard of it many many times. It sure pays to get an honest dentist!!!! hang on to him!!! Honestly I never took my kids when they were that little!
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