Another Dental Question (x-rays, dentist, tooth decay, tooth)

[Dukester]

When you visit a Dentist for a check up that generally includes x-rays and teeth cleaning doesn't it? After the X-Rays reveals any discrepancies he then goes over his findings, correct? I guess my question is this, can I as a patient can refuse any type of treatment that he may suggest? While I would not challenge the Dentist findings. I have no insurance. This would be too much for me to absorb based on the economic situation. Anybody no what a flouride treatment would cost and what is all entailed?

Thanks

[Connecticut Pam]

Of course you have the right to refuse any and all treatment the dentist may recommend. You have that right with any medical procedure that is suggested for you. A Flouride treatment is no big deal. I think they apply something directly to your teeth but I don't understand why the dentist is suggesting this to you unless you have lived in an area with no flouride in the water and have never used flouridated toothpaste...don't get this at all.

[Dukester]

Originally Posted by Connecticut Pam

Of course you have the right to refuse any and all treatment the dentist may recommend. You have that right with any medical procedure that is suggested for you. A Flouride treatment is no big deal. I think they apply something directly to your teeth but I don't understand why the dentist is suggesting this to you unless you have lived in an area with no flouride in the water and have never used flouridated toothpaste...don't get this at all.

Thanks for your reply Pam. I haven't been to the Dentist just yet, Fluoride was my input. I read at the MayoClinic Website that while you can not reverse tooth decay fluoride will stop it. It has been quite a few years since I have had a Flouride treatment and I live where I drink well water. I have early stages of tooth decay and would like to nip it in the bud... Since I have discovered the decay I kind of freaked out. I bought an Oral B Triumph Rechargeable Tooth Brush and use ACT Restore Mouth Rinse in the morning and the ACT Fluoride Mouth Rinse in the evening.

Thanks again for your reply...

[texdav]

You need to discusss this with teh dentist. I am nt a esxpert but doubt that foloride can stop further decay. Itmight be chaeper i teh end to get a filing. If it gets bad then you might need a root canal and/or crown which are expensive. Most will setup payments.

[Jude1948]

I agree with texdav. Once you have decay you cannot reverse it. If left untreated it will get worse and you will have a bigger expense. Maybe you can work out a payment plan with a dentist. Take care of your teeth, you need them for a long time.

[thaxil]

You have the right to refuse any treatment, and the dentist has the right to refuse to treat you as well. If you have unreasonable expections of what is posisble or unreasonable demands the dentist may decide your needs would be best meet somewhere else. For example, if you have multiple areas of decay (rampant caries), the dentist will request home +/- in office flouride until the caries are control (posisble x-ray every 6 months) and multiple fillings. Now you can say no to everything and just request bleaching treatment, but the dentist will show you the door faster then you can ask why.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

Yes, you can refuse the treatment (just like any medical treatment that a doctor recommends), but a better bet would be to explain to the dentist that you only have only X dollars to spend, and ask what he would do first. This will help him to understand your priorities and to go over treatment that makes sense for your mouth AND your checking account. He also might have his billing manager go over payment options with you, if you were interested in that.

Good luck!

[HIF]

You can always refuse. I have been (still am) in that situation and when I explained that I could not afford the work, my dentist proposed a plan B.

[Dukester]

Thank you all for your input. I do plan on making call in the morning to schedule a appointment.