Tag Archives: Suspicious X-Rays

Did my dentist rip me off?

I switched to a new dentist because mine retired, and got the shock of my dental life when I went in for my first appointment. I’ve always been really diligent about my dental care. I floss every day, and brush morning and night. The dentist and hygienists in the old office always said I had great teeth, and they’ve never given me any trouble. So imagine my shock when I went in and was told I have six cavities! SIX!

I set up an appointment, and had him fill them all. He used the white filling material. Ever since he filled the cavities, suddenly I have a lot of pain. I’ve gone back in, but he just says I have to adjust to the new fillings.

What is going on? Does this sound for real? I feel like I’ve been ripped off. I now suspect that I never had any cavities at all. Is there any way to tell from my xrays? I mean, I just had xrays done a year ago – could it really be that my dentist missed SIX cavities?

Thanks for your help,

Harriet in Reno, NV

It is possible to have cavities that were missed by your former dentist – if the hygienist doing the x-rays was doing them at the wrong angle, some cavities could be missed. But SIX. That is unlikely. You should ask for a copy of your x-rays to take to another dentist for a second opinion.

The post filling pain is worrisome, though. It sounds as though the white fillings might not have been bonded correctly. Another slim possibility is that the white fillings have changed the alignment of your jaw, and you are now having issues with TMJ. You are not specific about the nature of your pain, so there is little further speculation possible. This is another situation that needs a second opinion. When you go in to the new dentist, try to be very specific about the nature of your pain and when it occurs (during chewing, all the time, etc.).

Good luck to you.

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