Dentist- trying to rip me off?

[vanillacourage]

I would see them one more time, and when you book the appointment tell them that you are interested only in a standard cleaning and are not interested in the add-ons. If they then push it anyway, I'd find a new dentist (and tell them why).

[Deleted]

I would find a new dentist. If I am not comfortable with a dentist/doctor I switch. Even if they aren't trying to rip you off, there is no need to be this aggressive.

My mom has major problems with receding gums. So bad that at one point they thought she needed skin grafts, but she has had really good luck with some natural stuff from the health food store. Might be worth a look.

[ECB]

Is this a new dentist or one you've gone to for a long time? I ask because my long time dentist, I tend to trust them. My entire family has gone to them for YEARS.

During a time when I lived away, I went to a dentist that tried to push some special treatment that was "necessary". they'd do a 1/4 of my mouth at a time, wasn't covered by insurance, etc. I got the information then left - did my reseach and said "hell no". Then bucked up for the drive and went back to my family dentist- and they didn't mention a single thing about what the other dentist mentioned.

I absolutely think the other dentist was trying to just make $$ off of me. And clearly, I never went back.

[Deleted]

My H and I feel like we get this every time we go to the dentist too. With my last visit, they recommended scaling (really deep cleaning) and then a special "anti-bacterial deep irrigation" (i.e. special $$$ mouthwash) AND "bacterial decontamination" via some laser or something. I was like...wtf..my mouth is not a radioactive laboratory. I only got the scaling because it was 100% covered by insurance. I would go back if you liked the services otherwise.

[holly116]

Oh my goodness I had this exact scenario happen to me. I hadn't been to the dentist in a few years while in college, and when I finally went, I was living in a new city and went to a random Comfort Dental because I didn't know any better. I had never had a cavity in my life, but this time I had two and told that I absolutely had to have that deep cleaning. I was so full of guilt from not going in years, I just did it all. It cost me over $300 my insurance.

I found a new dentist from a coworker recommendation and what they filled were ridiculously small. He told me that he would have watched them for at least six months.

My MIL works at a dentist office and when i relayed this story, she told me that the only ones that need that deep cleaning are usually much, much older and haven't been to the dentist in several years.

I admire you for staying strong! Find a new dentist pronto. I've never had another cavity and my gums are just fine (well, outside of pregnancy...).

[Chirp]

Two years really isn't that long to go without a cleaning, so my guess is that they want to do the additional stuff because of the gingivitis.

Did you see the list o' stuff to do?

A full mouth debridement is overkill (they're done when people have severe buildup from not seeing a dentist for a very long time).

A periodontal scaling is considered the norm with a gingivitis diagnosis. That's usually followed up by periodontal maintenance 2x/year in addition to (sometimes they'll do it in place of) your regular cleanings. Basically, the scaling is where they clean out your gingival pockets so your gums can heal. The perio maintenance is another cleaning, but they'll focus on your pockets too. You should be able to go back to your 2x/year routine cleanings as the gingivitis heals up.


**Not a dentist.


ETA: One more thing. If you decide you want to get the scaling done, you might want to see if there are any Periodontists in the area to get a second opinion. They specialize in gum disease.

[LoveTrains]

Yeah I saw a new dentist when I moved who wanted to do a periodontal scaling. I was like urmm...I don't think so. They refused to do the regular cleaning on me so I walked out. I then found a new dentist in town who said that the peridontal scaling on me would be completely unnecessary.

[winnied]

See a new dentist. I've had dentists push things on me and it really sucks. If you need a rec, I really like my new one in the Court House area. I know that's not ideal for you, but I'm happy with him.

[pixiedust]

Please check with a second dentist. MH didn't go to the dentist for two years, gums hurt while brushing, etc. New dentist said he needed deep cleaning...we didn't do it because we thought they were trying to extract $$. Fast forward another year to another dentist (that several friends use)...he says he would like to do a deep cleaning, but would really like him to see a periodontist ASAP because deep cleaning probably won't be enough. Maybe he would have had to do this anyway, but a deep cleaning would have been so much more MM than the procedures he ended up needing.

[rubytue]

Just chiming in with a similar story. New dentist pushed scaling on both me and my H. I said no way and went back to my old dentist, who came right out and said they were scamming me (but he has an odd sense if humor). H was so put off he didn't go back and then avoided dentists for 2 years. Just went last week and the new dentist said he had great teeth.

Eta: my dentist is in upper NW. So not very close to you, but I will sing his praises to anyone. And I traveled 2 hours to see him for awhile after my bad experiences.

[winnied]

Oh! Good to know. They don't accept my insurance but I had thought about it.

[lys]

I would take the advice to have the deep scaling and then follow thru with dailing flossing and regular cleanings if you want to avoid periodontitis.
You NEED to floss daily - mouthwash is not a substitute for flossing and is not needed for good oral health.
See another dentist if you are not happy with this one, but by all means DO follow thru with the deep scaling.

(You did not get gingivitis because your gums bleed when flossing --- your gums bleed because you have gingivitis!)

People with no cavities ever, can still get gum disease.

[vegas]

They did a huge expose on the news here about dentists pushing unnecessary services that aren't covered by insurance to pad the bills. I would definitely seek a second opinion.

[phunluvin82]

I wouldn't assume that they were trying to rip you off...because maybe they really do feel that the gingivitis is an issue worth tackling aggressively.

That being said, I would not like how pushy they were so I would go to a different dentist next time...both for a second opinion, and to avoid the hard sell at the first place.

[audry80]

According to Mayo, scaling is recommended for gingivitis and so is a special mouth wash. I would get a second opinion and not wait the six months to get it done if the second dentist recommends it. Teeth are nothing to mess around with specially if you have GI issues.

www.mayoclinic.com/health/gingivitis/DS00363/DSECTION=treatments%2Dand%2Ddrugs

[AAM2012]

See a new dentist. DH and I had similar issues with one of those dentist mills (same name, a lot of different locations).

They even told me that my insurance wouldn't cover my normal cleaning until I paid out of pocket for a 'deep cleaning.'

[aspentosh]

I'd check with a second dentist. To get a second opinion and to ensure that you go again in 6 months. The only thing worse than dreading the dentist is dreading the dentist that tries to push extra stuff.

[smiley]

DH had a full mouth debridement and bought the periodontal mouthwash... It was the best money we spent. DH is awful with cleaning his teeth etc. and his mouth was so much healthier after. After having the treatment done he didn't need more than a normal cleaning. He had gone a long time without properly caring for his teeth. I am glad we didn't ignore the situation because it could have been a lot worse.

[caramia17]

If you feel uncomfortable with any healthcare provider or their staff, find a new one.

That said, I am a periodontist and this is not medical advice. There are basically 3 types of cleanings:

prophylaxis (standard cleaning) meant for people without periodontal disease
scaling and root planing meant to treat active periodontal disease and/or prepare people for surgical periodontal care
periodontal maintenance meant to prevent disease in people who have had periodontal treatment

If you have periodontal disease and I perform a preventative procedure on you (I.e. prophylaxis) that is malpractice and can actually predispose you to periodontal abscesses, etc.

I second seeing a periodontist for a second opinion. Look for one who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontists. The website is www.abperio.org

PM me if you want. 

Good luck.

[weardogbride]

Feb 8, 2013 7:53:21 GMT -5 caramia17 said:

If you feel uncomfortable with any healthcare provider or their staff, find a new one.

That said, I am a periodontist and this is not medical advice. There are basically 3 types of cleanings:

prophylaxis (standard cleaning) meant for people without periodontal disease
scaling and root planing meant to treat active periodontal disease and/or prepare people for surgical periodontal care
periodontal maintenance meant to prevent disease in people who have had periodontal treatment

If you have periodontal disease and I perform a preventative procedure on you (I.e. prophylaxis) that is malpractice and can actually predispose you to periodontal abscesses, etc.

I second seeing a periodontist for a second opinion. Look for one who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontists. The website is www.abperio.org

PM me if you want. 

Good luck.

Yes, if you feel uncomfortable, please get a second opinion, but I definitely would not wait. Scaling and Root Planing is pretty standard treatment for gingivitis and and is necessary to treat it.  In my husband's office, we will not perform a standard cleaning on someone with periodontal problems. 

[genet313]

Feb 7, 2013 15:08:14 GMT -5 ECB said:

Is this a new dentist or one you've gone to for a long time? I ask because my long time dentist, I tend to trust them. My entire family has gone to them for YEARS.

This. I would trust a dentist I have a longstanding relationship with much more.  If they're recommending something, I know they are not going to jeopardize a relationship just to earn a few extra bucks at one or two cleanings.

[Doggy Mommy]

It sounds like you know you have gingivitis. Gingivitis requires treatment and the mouthwash. It won't go away with a regular cleaning. Don't wait and assume it is ok. Go somewhere else and get a second opinion if you want to, but by the sound of your symptoms, they will probably need to do the same treatment.