Are you unhappy with your current dentist?
You’re not alone. There are people all across Southern California who don’t like their dentist. They feel like he or she isn’t doing a good job on their teeth. Or, perhaps people feel ripped off by their dentist.
Truthfully there are a lot of great dentists around Los Angeles, but there are also a few bad apples; dentists who are out to make a quick buck.
So how can you spot a bad apple? Here are a few tips the American Dental Association offers to people who are not happy, and may feel that they’re getting ripped off by their dentist.
1. New Patients are Lured in With Service “Freebies”
Do you suspect that there is “something fishy” when you get a postcard advertisement in the mail from a local dental clinic alerting you to a “new customer” deal? Your instincts are right, and one of the best ways to weed out bad dentists is to keep an eye on when dental clinics send out those ads informing you of “amazing” deals that often involve giving you a free teeth cleaning and dental x-rays.
You may find their deals so “amazing” that you wonder how they make money at all. The answer is that these clinics often make a lot of money, and they do it dishonestly. How? Because after they clean your teeth and take those x-rays, they often then tell you that you need a wide variety of costly dental services that you just don’t need.
2. They Insist on Filling Micro-Cavities
Most dental patients know what cavities are and also know that if they go unfilled, the tooth can decay so much that a root canal is then the only way to repair the tooth.
However, does your dentist recommend that you not only fill cavities, but also micro-cavities? Micro-cavities are not full-blown cavities and are sometimes referred to as incipient caries. While some continue to worsen and become full cavities, many do not and never need to be filled!
This is why honest dentists typically take a “wait and see” approach, and simply monitor micro-cavities instead of filling them immediately.
3. They Insist On Replacing Amalgam Fillings
If you have amalgam (silver) fillings in your teeth, then there is simply no need to replace them just because they are made of amalgam. Like all fillings, they may need to be replaced in the future if they fail.
However, as long as an amalgam filling is still holding up well, it poses no hazard to your health and doesn’t need to be replaced.
4. They Order Unnecessary X-rays
If your teeth are in generally good shape, then you only need a full set of dental X-rays about every two years. However, there are specific dental problems that warrant more frequent X-ray monitoring.
How do you know if you really need those extra X-rays? Just ask! If the answer your dentist is giving you just doesn’t add up — it’s time to switch to THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®.
5. They Encourage Check-ups More Than Twice a Year
As with X-rays, there are some oral health problems that can benefit from extra treatments your dentist provides outside of your twice-yearly check-ups. However, if you have generally good oral health and your dentist just wants you to come in more often than every six months for extra cleanings and check-ups, then they are likely just want the extra cash they get during those extra visits.
No one should have to deal with a dentist who is a rip off. If you’re unhappy with your dentist, consider making a switch to THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®. Contact us today for a comprehensive examine!
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