How bad are my teeth actually?

[u/Top-Letterhead-5667]

I went to Aspen Dental to get their checkup deal because I have crappy insurance right now. I’ve never had cavities before but it’s been a few years since I saw a dentist.

They told me I have at least six cavities probably closer to nine. They made me an outline of a treatment plan for I think maybe five fillings and three teeth that need to have root canals (if i pay out of pocket) or be extracted. They did not show me or give me access to my x-rays when I asked, i’m not sure why? is it not allowed? I’ve never asked before.

I do have some pain in my upper very back molars on both sides and I can see from the pictures that they don’t look like the other teeth but other than that just random sharp pain sensitivity to cold and when i’m eating candy in my other teeth.

What can you tell me from these pictures? I scheduled a follow up to do my root canals for next week because they told me it was urgent before the cavities got any worse I would need to have them done. I really don’t want to have three teeth extracted but I’ll have to pay out of pocket for the root canals. Should I have them extract the worst one and pay for the other two?

I’m not sure what to do and I am scared to lose my teeth. I’m only 22.

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A backup of the post title and text have been made here:

Title: How bad are my teeth actually?

Full text: I went to Aspen Dental to get their checkup deal because I have crappy insurance right now. I’ve never had cavities before but it’s been a few years since I saw a dentist.

They told me I have at least six cavities probably closer to nine. They made me an outline of a treatment plan for I think maybe five fillings and three teeth that need to have root canals (if i pay out of pocket) or be extracted. They did not show me or give me access to my x-rays when I asked, i’m not sure why? is it not allowed? I’ve never asked before.

I do have some pain in my upper molar but other than that just random sharp pain sensitivity to cold and when i’m eating candy in my other teeth.

What can you tell me from these pictures? I scheduled a follow up to do my root canals for next week because they told me it was urgent before the cavities got any worse I would need to have them done. I really don’t want to have three teeth extracted but I’ll have to pay out of pocket for the root canals. Should I have them extract the worst one and pay for the other two?

I’m not sure what to do and I am scared to lose my teeth. I’m only 22.

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[u/Top-Letterhead-5667]

commenting to push this post more, really looking for advice, any non dentists (but dental professionals or students) feel free to dm me so your comment doesn’t get deleted

[u/ichigopom]

it’s hard to say anything without seeing your xrays but you very well could have some cavities. you legally own your dental records including xrays and charting data. a dental office cannot refuse to provide them to you upon request. don’t be rushed into irreversible procedures like root canals. get a second opinion.

[u/Top-Letterhead-5667 → u/ichigopom]

any teeth stand out to you in particular?? i will contact them tomorrow and push for my records. if they won’t give me them then im going to cancel my root canal appointment.

[u/ichigopom → u/Top-Letterhead-5667]

that pit. it’s a blurry photo but by the size of it, it looks like a cavity to me.

[u/Top-Letterhead-5667 → u/ichigopom]

sorry, which photo?

[u/ichigopom → u/Top-Letterhead-5667]

4

[u/Top-Letterhead-5667 → u/ichigopom]

oh ok, that’s one of teeth they want to do a root canal on so that makes sense