Dentist Advice

Updated on November 06, 2010
C.R. asks from Fort Lauderdale, FL
22 answers

I went to the dentist last week and come to find out i have 3 cavities and have to get all four of my wisdom teeth pulled out. The problem is they say i have to do everything one at a time. This doesnt make sense to me why because i will have to make 7 appoints before all the procedure are done with and i will be in pain for awhile. Do some dentist really do procedures one at a time like that or are they just trying to get more money out of me??? Any advice please.

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L.K.

answers from Boca Raton on

First of all, no one "has" to get ALL their wisdom teeth out and NO way would I do this all at the same time, I wouldn't go back to this person. They can be like car mechanics...we don't know. Get a second or even third opinion.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

I have had up to 4 cavities filled at once, and that was as a child. And all 4 of my wisdom teeth were removed at one time, even though they had to be cut out and broken into pieces to remove them due to location. This dentist is insane, you should only need 2 appointments to do this all.

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

Apparently your dentist has a boat payment due. Find another dentist ASAP and an Oral Surgeon for the wisdom teeth. Two appointments max. Here's to laughing gas :)

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J.M.

answers from Tampa on

I had 3 cavities at my last appt 2 weeks ago. I went and had 2 filled one one side and I have to make an appt to get the other side done. I had my wisdom teeth pulled in college. The first week I went on Spring Break, the 2nd week I had them pulled. It took a good 3-4 days to feel better. Please get a second opinion. There is no way your mouth, wallet or well being could handle this.

Updated

I had 3 cavities at my last appt 2 weeks ago. I went and had 2 filled one one side and I have to make an appt to get the other side done. I had my wisdom teeth pulled in college. The first week I went on Spring Break, the 2nd week I had them pulled. It took a good 3-4 days to feel better. Please get a second opinion. There is no way your mouth, wallet or well being could handle this.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.A.

answers from Boca Raton on

My father is an oral surgeon, you do NOT have to have your wisdom teeth pulled unless they are impacted or growing the wrong direction. The theory was to pull teeth years ago but things have changed, you may need that tooth later on, it can actually be implanted in another spot to replace a molar need be in the future.
Fill cavities for sure but yank all your wisdom teeth? NO

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J.P.

answers from Boise on

I have had multiple cavities done at once, and all the wisdom teeth removed at once. I can see separating those into two appointments, but not into 7!!! Get a second opinion, or at least clarification. You should not have to be put out 4 times.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I am confused by some of the other responses. I'd call a 2nd dentist and ask for sure. My regular dentist took all 4 of my wisdom teeth out - all in the same visit - and I was definitely not put under for the procedure. My wisdom teeth were not impacted though...

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S.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I can see three appts, but not seven. Most dentist don't pull wisdom teeth. They refer you to an oral surgeon for the procedure. So you would have to go to the oral surgeon for a consultation appointment and be scheduled for surgery (to pull the teeth out). You can definitely do all the filling in one session, it would just be a longer session. I've done this before on both sides of the mouth. You just have to remember not to eat anything until you can feel your mouth or you may end up chewing the inside of your mouth.
As for making more money from multiple sessions, my dentist charge per cavity so that doesn't make sense. Unless, he's a shady guy and bills for other work on each visit. I've heard horror stories on this.
The oral surgeon has to schedule an anethesiologist each time he pulls a tooth, so the anethesiologist would probably profit the most for mulitple sessions. Again, you should be able to schedule to have all 4 pulled at the same time. Both my hubby and sister had all 4 pulled at the same time.
I would get clarification as to why you need 7 appts. If the explanation doesn't make sense, I'd get another dentist.
Good luck! And post further questions on this board if you need to.

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S.B.

answers from Wichita on

I can see 2 appts, one for the cavities and one for the wisdom teeth, but doing each individually seems like they want more money out of you.

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D.B.

answers from Tampa on

It would be worth it to get another opinion, but as far as money goes, most dentists I have gone to bill per procedure. The charges should be the same regardless of how many appts you have. It may be different if you don't have dental insurance and are paying cash, but I know the insurance companies base their payments on what you are having done. (they pay x $ for a filling, x for extracting, etc).

I did have all of my wisdom teeth done at once, and it really wasn't too bad, but everyone is different. Good luck!

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

I would say separate them. Have all the cavities filled at one appointment and have the wisdom teeth pulled at another appointment.

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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest stepdaugher had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled at once when she needed them out during her orthodontics treatment for her braces. It was done under total sedation at a (plastic and dental) surgeon's office. I'd think it's possible to do that and then one more visit to a regular dentist's office for the cavities.

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

You need to see another dentist. Wisdom teeth get pulled out all at once. I had mine pulled out all at once and so many others I know have also. I am not sure about the cavities being done all at once, that shouldn't be a problem, but you should see another dentist. Actually an oral surgeon is someone who specializes in pulling teeth.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

they may want to do it all at once because you will be knocked out. why would you need 7 appts.? my orthodontist office is going to pull all 4 of mine at once and i think i would prefer that instead of 2 one month and then 2 the next (extending your pain). either way your going to pay the same amount for the procedures. when i was younger i had a baby tooth pulled (im 25 and still have 1 baby tooth haha) and a cavity filled on the same side. i would think they could atleast fill the cavities that are on the same side if they didnt want to do it all at once. talk to them and then schedual. does your dentist office have a credit line? my dentist has care credit that i use for my big procedures so im not paying more then the copay the day of the visit.

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

yeah that's not right. I was a dental assistant before becoming a stay at home mom so I know about this. First don't go to a Dentist go to an oral surgeon. He will put you under (if you want) and will take out all your wisdom teeth at once. The whole procedure takes like 15 to 20 min. it's fast and easy. Then for your cavities I would just find a new dentist someone who is not trying to make you spend a ton of money. That dentist can do all your fillings at once. But actually if you went to a new dentist he would first want to do his own exam to make sure he sees the same cavities then schedule to get them filled. And then you would have your wisdom teeth removed by the oral surgeon so your total visits would be 3.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

You need an oral surgeon for the wisdom teeth and your general dentist for the fillings.

And doing everything at once would actually be getting *less* money out of you. If you are out for the wisdom teeth then you don't have to be sedated at another visit for the fillings but you really should be going to 2 different doctors for these procedures.

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Get a second opinion, and maybe a third. That is alot of work, and this is time to find someone that really indicates to YOU. Sounds as if these folks have not made you comfortable.
best, k

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L.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Most dentists do not pull wisdom teeth-they usually refer out to an oral surgeon.
As far as the other cavities it depends on where they are located-maybe that is a reason they want to seperate the appts. They can only numb so much at a time.
If you are that skeptical get a second opinion-it never hurts! L.:)

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K.E.

answers from Buffalo on

ok when doing fillings they cannot inject novicane on both sides of your mouth on the same visit, you will hurt yourself, so if you are sedated for the wisdome teethe they can have the dentist do the cavities then the oral surgan do the extractions. They tag team you are sedated a little longer but all done. I am confused to the 7 appointment reference, but yes having them done separatly will cost more, for you and your insursance company.

I had all 4 wisdom teeth out at once, 2 were impacted so lots of digging and I did not need my pain meds at, no brusing, and no dry sockets. REMEMBER DO NOT SUCK ON ANYTHING, No smoking AT ALL, no straws no suckers nothing or you will get a "dry Socket" (Painfull) To sooth your gums and help prevent a dry socket use a tea bag (freshly used) resting on your gums (after bleeding has stopped)

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

DO NOT do them all at once!!! Wisdom teeth are enough to deal with at one time. It took me weeks to fully recover from that! AN oral surgeon should be seeing you for those and your general dentist should do the cavities that are on the same side of the mouth at once. So if you have opposite sides on the bottom, they will not numb your entire jaw at once. We like Dr Kushner in Hlwd. He is old school for 30 yrs.

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F.W.

answers from Flagstaff on

It's all about the swelling. Imagine if you got punched in the face at similar spots. I had all 4 wisdom teeth surgically removed because they were impacted and on the same day. I was out for a week. I went to a mouth surgeon not a dentist. However, they may be able to do two and then one. Try for as little office visits. My gut is telling me that it may be because office visits bring the money. Remember, you are contracting them not the other way around. Make them explain to you why.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

This makes no sense to me. Try another dentist.
Usually, most dentists won't do the wisdom tooth extraction...aren't they referring you to an endodontist for that?

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