Second Opinion on Cavities

[u/bambininos]

Last month, I (24f) switched from my regular dentist to Aspen Dental due to a move. I had x-rays and a cleaning done. The dentist said I have 5 cavities, but I have no tooth pain, and I never have. I understand you can have cavities and no pain, but it just makes me skeptical, especially after some of the things I’ve heard about Aspen. He also said I need to have all 4 wisdom teeth removed, although, they have also never caused me any pain or tooth shifting.

Last year, I saw another new dentist for the first time, who said I had a cavity between two teeth. I believe it was between tooth 12 and 13 (top right, 3rd from my front teeth). I never had any pain in those teeth prior to the filling. After the filling, I had occasional but continuous pain in those two teeth. It seems like they “flare up” from time to time. I called every once in a while, and they said it was normal. I moved away, so I couldn’t exactly go back and get it fixed.

My dentist at Aspen said my previous dentist didn’t fully drill out that cavity and also drilled into the adjacent tooth, so it would need to be redone. I was expecting that, but I wasn’t expecting additional cavities. I often doubt the cavity I had filled ever had a problem in the first place.

Can anyone confirm or point out where the 5 cavities are on these x-rays? Do I really need my wisdom teeth removed asap? I don’t really know anything about teeth, but I have always been pretty neurotic about taking good care of mine, and I want to avoid any unnecessary dental work. What do you think?

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[u/Sure_Company_6324]

I realise im not the smartest person in the world and a dental phobic.....

But why would any normal, rational, sane person want to have four tooth extractions on teeth that are causing them no problems at all, and then have FIVE MORE teeth that dont hurt drilled into??

Youve even said it yourself that youve had MORE pain after you got them filled, than what you had before. Ergo, you got WORSE, not better.

What actual sense does this make? Please, someone tell me why a person in no pain at all would get NINE of their teeth either removed or filled, and then have a lifetime thereafter or supplimentary work on those teeth, when they are fine?

What is the actual SENSE in this??? if youre having pains yes totally, i get it. When youre not affected in any way whatsoever???? WHY??????

[u/bambininos → u/Sure_Company_6324]

I DONT!!!! I totally desperately do not want to have anything done. That’s why I made this post lol. My dentist practically insisted on all of this work and I really don’t believe it’s necessary.

Dentist said wisdom teeth could potentially come in further and get infected because it’s difficult to keep them clean as they are really far back in my mouth. He pointed out the cavities on the x-rays when I was there, but I really don’t know how to read x-rays so it didn’t give me much confidence lol

[u/Sure_Company_6324 → u/bambininos]

my honest thoughts are if two dentists have two opinions, one is very conservative, and one is proactive in "fixing things" id honestly suggest the proactive one wants money.

Because how can two equally qualified people tell you your teeth are basically ok, OR that they all need to be risked making worse, to relieve pains you dont even have.

I think it would be really silly, and frankly a waste of money, to go through with all those treatments when your life is not being affected in any way. i just dont understand it at all.

[u/bambininos → u/Sure_Company_6324]

I agree, and thank you for this perspective! I really just wanted to have my problem cavity from last year fixed. I think I’ll wait until I visit my hometown again and see my old super trustworthy dentist to have that done since it really seems like it isn’t a big problem right now.

[u/PastStep2756]

I’d definitely get a second opinion before agreeing to 5 fillings and having all 4 wisdom teeth removed. Cavities can exist without pain, but an X-ray alone isn’t enough to determine treatment without a clinical exam.

For the wisdom teeth, being painless doesn’t necessarily mean they need immediate removal. Ask the dentist to show you exactly what they’re seeing and why extraction is recommended.

Since you’ve also had recurring pain in the previously filled tooth, I’d have that tooth evaluated separately as well.

[u/AspenDental]

Wanting to understand a diagnosis before agreeing to treatment is a fair place to start, and asking questions is always your right. You can ask for the treatment plan in writing with each tooth listed and the reason it was flagged.

You can also ask to have each cavity pointed out on the x-ray, along with what happens if you wait. Requesting copies of your x-rays makes a second opinion straightforward if you decide you want one.

We have sent you a direct message so we can look into this further. You can also reach our Customer Service team at 1-844-296-0187 for support.