Mom was told by a dentist that her top front teeth need to be crowned, with some root canals possible, due to a chip on one tooth and some decay on all the others. The price tag would be $6K+. I could not imagine putting Mom through all of that if there may be an alternative, so I got my dentist to see my Mom and give us a second opinion. He says that since her teeth are not bothering her, the least invasive approach at her age would be to just keep patching and filling, which makes sense to me. The price to do the essential repairs is $600. I'm inclined to just go with the latter approach especially given the price difference. First dentist has said that he will not agree to do that, and will only treat her if we follow his plan. Anyone ever deal with a situation like this? Such wide opinions? Mom is in decent health, has Parkinson's and mobility issues, enlarged heart and heart murmur, but is mentally sharp. She does not want the crowns. Am I missing anything here? Any reason to go ahead and do all those crowns?
My husband and I personally went to 30 different dentists to find one that would not want to do unnecessary expensive dental work. I had one ruin an existing crown and wanted to charge me 3600.00 to fix it. What?
Use your dentist and good sense, as well as your moms desire to not have it done to make your decision.
Just read where this unethical dentist fired you because you got a second opinion. That is a HUGE RED FLAG, that he is obviously not treating his patients based on their needs but on his money grubbing unethical desires.
I would report him and hopefully help those elders that don't have an advocate.
Dentist are only people. Their opinions are only that. You can show the same x-ray to 10 dentists and get 10 different opinions. I have teeth that dentists have told me needed to have the fillings redone for over 20 years. Never did. Those teeth still don't have problems. I recently saw a dentist for the first time in years because I broke a molar. In addition to fixing the molar, she said I would need 5 other teeth fixed by having the fillings redone. I just had her crown the molar and went to another dentist for a second opinion on the other teeth. The second dentist didn't think those teeth needed anything done.
My mom in her mid 70's when her dentist retired, and this quack just got out of college thought and actually did take advantage of his elderly patients. He put Venures on her back teeth? Seriously? He would have her come in, and start the venure on the opposite side of mouth. She got home one day while I was there, she started crying. She said her mouth is falling apart :( I called my dentist, and took her immediately to see him. I also went to see the the "newbee" dentist. Small guy, and I am tall, so I found my tallest shoes to talk with him. I told him it was ridiculous to put her in so much stress. He looked up at me and agreed. And he had a whole office full of old folks waiting. He wasn't there yet, he was playing GOLF!
The cost of all dental work, hearing aids, etc. is so crazy these days. When I hear prices quoted for my mom for anything, I immediately calculate how many HHA hours that would be. You have to choose your battles. WorriedinCali I agree about the longevity aspect. It has to be considered.
when he came back - he told me he could break my jaw and straighten all my teeth. ????? I have buck teeth in the front. I asked about just doing that one tooth. He refused saying it would not stay back. so it was all or nothing. I left and had nothing done
A 96 yo person whose teeth are not bothering her? Don't start with the root canals and crowns. I'd do the patch and fix route.
Um, your first dentist is just kind of scamming you. If her teeth are not bothering her--don't start. Go to your dentist and let mom be.
No dentist should "threaten" you like that. Ridiculous.
If you were 96, would you want to sit through multiple sessions at the dentist's?
Money aside, I'd definitely go the less invasive route. Go to lunch instead.
BTW, my daddy had Parkinson's and sitting in a dental chair was beyond excruciating for him, I don't know why, but he hated it.