dental work when not in pain?

I've never had any dental work needed, not even a cavity. Oh once i needed a tooth bonded that chipped. , past few years I've been pregnant so opted out of xrays. Just went few months ago and they said I needed 3 root canals and 7 cavities based on xray ..really???? Love my dentist office but maybe need second opinion?
I see the ' black' they talking about on xray but still hard to believe. Nothing bothering me. Would you get work done? I can't get it all at once insurance only covers 1000 a year and I only have few hundred left after apt and xray etc I think it's like 12,000 worth of work needed.

They mentioned a Loan but I can't do that either right now.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

Well, having recently had severe tooth pain and going through a root canal, I would have done anything to avoid that, but if nothing is bothering you, it seems weird that your dentist would want to do so much work. When I went to the endodontist for my root canal, for example, they did a bunch of tests on the tooth to make sure it was symptomatic - sensitive to cold/hot and did x-rays to confirm it needed action. But I FELT that.

I've definitely had cavities filled that I didn't even know where there, that is kind of a different story. But to go through root canals without any symptoms or pains seems odd to me too.

dental work when not in pain?

Teeth take a big hit when PG. I have had cavities and never once had any pain from them so completely believable that they are there.

Root canal - never had one so I can't comment on that.

A routine cleaning and extras should be covered outside of the $1K at least mine is. Also, I would talk tot he dentist about what need to be done now and what can wait til next year when insurance resets.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

I think I'd go for a 2nd opinion. I find it hard to believe that you're not even in a little bit of discomfort with that much work needing to be done.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

I have had cavities with no pain.
That's totally possible.

Not sure about the root canal as I have never needed one.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

I would probably get the cavities filled ( I am pretty sure I have some with no pain now--I have to make an apt. soon) just so they don't turn into something bigger.

Maybe tell the dentist you can't do it all right now & ask which is the highest priority?

If you insurance resets with the calendar year, then you can probably wait just a couple of months for some of the things.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

Pregnancy ravaged my teeth. I had a similar situation that I had 8 cavities filled on one visit. I would get a second opinion but most likely you will need some filled and YES I would do it before you are in pain. If you are not in pain chances are they are small and easier to fill. If you wait the damage could be more severe and they will have to drill deeper.

I don't know how much root canals are but 12k seems unreasonable for this amount of work. I had my 8 cavities filled and after insurance covered about 50% I paid about $700. I doubt root canals are 10k+. Something is fishy.

dental work when not in pain?

Get a second opinion.

I had a dentist who I finally found out did work on me for years that I did not need. And, just this winter a dentist in Florida told my sister she needed root canal in four teeth. I had her get a second opinion from my dentist when she was here, and while she did need root canal work, she only needed it in two teeth.

On the other hand, pregnancy can suck calcium out of your teeth and you may have tooth problems. Don't let them stay unattended to as you can get terrible infections that can eat away your jaw bone and even reach up into your brain. An old schoolmate of mine had that happen and almost died.

If you need dental work, space it over two years, some in 2014, some in 2015 so that your insurance can help. Root canal work is expensive. I just paid for my sister's.

dental work when not in pain?

I say get a second opinion if it makes you feel better.

Meh.. no harm right?

However, none of my cavities ever hurt but they were there. My first root canal did hurt before I had it done. My second (active) doesn't hurt at all. I've been putting off the root canal for 3yrs now. HOWEVER.. doing so is dangerous. I have to accept that fact that if it gets infected or rots too much it can seriously affect my health. I am warned at each visit.

And finally yes... being pregnant messes with everything!

ETA: a second opinion may be out of pocket by the way. I'd still do it but check if you want

12k is high but really how much is YOUR payment. I think mine cost about $3k out of pocket about 11yrs ago. I have no idea what it was before insurance reduction.

Message edited 10/16/2014 10:49:55 AM.

dental work when not in pain?

Yes you can definitely need work and not be in pain.

I would definitely go for a second opinion bc that's a lot of work all of a sudden. If you do need it, ask them to prioritize and spread it out a bit. I would also look into getting a supplemental insurance. My mom just got some for a few hundred for 2 years of coverage and it reduced the cost of her oral surgery by a few thousand.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

I hate the dentist...I'd rather sit for another c-section then sit on the dental chair. I know it's bad and irrational, but I would only get what the dentist said NEEDS to be done first.

dental work when not in pain?

I've had a couple of root canals, I never had pain beforehand, so it's totally possible. get a second opinion if that makes you comfortable, but don't wait too long. You can have major health complications, it effects more than your teeth!
Edited to say my root canals have been around 3k each.

Message edited 10/16/2014 11:20:33 AM.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

Do thorough research on root canals. You may want to consult with a biological dentist.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

Re: dental work when not in pain?

Get a second opinion

Re: dental work when not in pain?

I would get a second opinion........and make sure you don't tell the new dentist what the first one said....

I mean it doesn't hurt right(pun intended)

Re: dental work when not in pain?

If you can see the black on the X-ray, it needs to be repaired. Just because you are not I pain doesn't mean you don't need it done. You can prevent a root canal later by treating a cavity now. Think about it, if the dentist was looking for $$, they would wait until the tooth needs a root canal, post and crown for well over 1k. The proof is on the X-ray, what more evidence do you need???

Message edited 10/17/2014 1:51:12 PM.

Re: dental work when not in pain?

Yes, you can have cavities and root canal infections when not in pain. It does seem unusual that you have 7 cavities and 3 root canal needing teeth without ANY symptoms though.

No pain may be because the tooth is dead. Did they say you had any infection?

I'd get a second opinion with that much work needed. But, don't forget that some things may be subjective. They may think you need root canals based on how deep the decay is (you will likely have symptoms after the cavity is removed or the nerve might be exposed). That may be why some dentists opinions may differ.

BUT, with that much being recommended, and with the fact that you (as a non-dentist) could appreciate all that "black" on the xray, i would get things treated ASAP. Just because you don't have pain now doesn't mean you won't later....

Message edited 10/19/2014 12:02:20 PM.

dental work when not in pain?

This exact thing happened to me after I had my 3rd child. At routine check up xray showed slight infection at tooth root. I felt NO discomfort. I was placed on antibiotics to clear infection before root canal completed & final seal/filling done. If left untreated infection can spread no beuno.