A
anxietydisorder123
Junior member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2021
- Messages
- 3
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
The last time I went to the dentist was in 2018. I haven't gone back in so long due to general anxiety as I have an anxiety disorder -- they told me I needed to get my wisdom teeth taken out but I put it off for years.
Anyways, I noticed how bad my wisdom teeth have gotten (they are completely horizontal) and are a trap for bacteria. I also have depression so I haven't taken the best care of my teeth... I don't floss and I usually only brush once per day, twice on a really good day. So I know I'm bound to have a few cavities (I've never had fillings or cavities before).
I went to the dentist today... The dentist assistant was extremely nice, friendly, and put me at ease. When examining me she noted that I likely had mild gingivitis and also a few cavities. Okay, I thought, probably 4 or 5 cavities, no big deal.
The dentist came in at the end of her exam and the X-rays. He was kind of awkward and didn't seem to make small talk with me, put me at ease, barely looked at me. That's ok I guess, he's probably busy. He looks in my mouth and immediately counts out 11 cavities. I'm shocked. That's A LOT. I also want to emphasize that I haven't felt any aches or pains in any of my teeth, even my wisdom teeth that have grown in sideways. Sometimes my teeth are a little sensitive but that's it.
The treatment plan was printed out. $77 USD to treat the gingivitis, which is fine, okay.... but then boom. ~$800 total to do all of my fillings. I'm stunned. And I haven't even gotten the cost estimate for my wisdom teeth yet, which will probably be ~2k+ as I'm getting general anesthesia (not covered by my insurance).
I'm freaking out, I only have about $3.5k to my name. My boyfriend has amazingly offered to cover my portion of our rent while I financially recover and my parents have offered to help with some wisdom teeth costs. But I am so concerned about these cavities.
Apparently some of these cavities were in the system from 2018 but I don't remember the dentist (different office) telling me about them at all. So I've probably had some decaying for years. I can also see one deeper cavity in one of my bottom teeth. What I'm concerned about is all the stories online of dentists either lying about cavities to get money, or filling VERY SMALL cavities that could be stagnated and aren't even an issue. What do I do?
I panicked and scheduled half of the fillings 2 weeks from now (on July 15th). They also said they would call me in the afternoon to schedule a cleaning within this week. Should I tell my dental assistant or dentist about my concerns after the cleaning? I want them to explain my cavities to me and I want to ask if they're sure all of them are deep enough to be concerning. I want to avoid filling any small inconsequential ones. I don't know if it'll be offensive to ask for my X-ray photos and recommendations for other dentists for a second opinion. How do I ask these things without my dentist getting angry with me? Or should I just ask the dental assistant? Also, since I used my free exam I'm scared that a second opinion will put me out another $60-$120 just for them to tell me the same thing. And I'm concerned I won't fit into another dentists' schedule in time before my appointment.
I want to note that I am not low-income (I'm on my parent's insurance) so I don't qualify for any financial aid.
Anyways, I noticed how bad my wisdom teeth have gotten (they are completely horizontal) and are a trap for bacteria. I also have depression so I haven't taken the best care of my teeth... I don't floss and I usually only brush once per day, twice on a really good day. So I know I'm bound to have a few cavities (I've never had fillings or cavities before).
I went to the dentist today... The dentist assistant was extremely nice, friendly, and put me at ease. When examining me she noted that I likely had mild gingivitis and also a few cavities. Okay, I thought, probably 4 or 5 cavities, no big deal.
The dentist came in at the end of her exam and the X-rays. He was kind of awkward and didn't seem to make small talk with me, put me at ease, barely looked at me. That's ok I guess, he's probably busy. He looks in my mouth and immediately counts out 11 cavities. I'm shocked. That's A LOT. I also want to emphasize that I haven't felt any aches or pains in any of my teeth, even my wisdom teeth that have grown in sideways. Sometimes my teeth are a little sensitive but that's it.
The treatment plan was printed out. $77 USD to treat the gingivitis, which is fine, okay.... but then boom. ~$800 total to do all of my fillings. I'm stunned. And I haven't even gotten the cost estimate for my wisdom teeth yet, which will probably be ~2k+ as I'm getting general anesthesia (not covered by my insurance).
I'm freaking out, I only have about $3.5k to my name. My boyfriend has amazingly offered to cover my portion of our rent while I financially recover and my parents have offered to help with some wisdom teeth costs. But I am so concerned about these cavities.
Apparently some of these cavities were in the system from 2018 but I don't remember the dentist (different office) telling me about them at all. So I've probably had some decaying for years. I can also see one deeper cavity in one of my bottom teeth. What I'm concerned about is all the stories online of dentists either lying about cavities to get money, or filling VERY SMALL cavities that could be stagnated and aren't even an issue. What do I do?
I panicked and scheduled half of the fillings 2 weeks from now (on July 15th). They also said they would call me in the afternoon to schedule a cleaning within this week. Should I tell my dental assistant or dentist about my concerns after the cleaning? I want them to explain my cavities to me and I want to ask if they're sure all of them are deep enough to be concerning. I want to avoid filling any small inconsequential ones. I don't know if it'll be offensive to ask for my X-ray photos and recommendations for other dentists for a second opinion. How do I ask these things without my dentist getting angry with me? Or should I just ask the dental assistant? Also, since I used my free exam I'm scared that a second opinion will put me out another $60-$120 just for them to tell me the same thing. And I'm concerned I won't fit into another dentists' schedule in time before my appointment.
I want to note that I am not low-income (I'm on my parent's insurance) so I don't qualify for any financial aid.