Do i need a second opinion ?

[jameshampton]

Hi yesterday I went to the dentist for my yearly check-up . Every time I go he has a good look around takes xrays gives me a scale and polish then says everything is OK.
This time he had a look around and said I need 4 fillings in my back molars . I must have looked shocked because he said that he had been monitoring them for a few years but now they need fillings.

Is it normal suddenly needing 4 fillings after around 20 years of no work ? I'm 48 if that makes any difference.

Should I get a second opinion or is that being silly?

 

[Dr M]

Do you have any x-rays you could share?

 

[MattKW]

To progress to decay in such a short time at this stage of your life would be very unusual. I went incognito 20 years ago to a dentist who found a "cavity" in one of my teeth - he was just fishing for work.

 

[jameshampton]

Unfortunately I don't have the xrays . He didn't take xrays this time but he usually does . He did say the fillings would be small . It's a nhs Dentist so I'm only paying one charge no matter how many fillings.

 

[MattKW]

Hmmm, I'm still suspicious. It might be a relatively cheap cost for you, but he might be doing it for his personal gain because I assume he gets paid per filling.