AIBU about my trip to the dentist

[MassiveGrannyPants]

I've always had a low sugar diet and been very good about caring for my teeth - never needed any work at all.

Until I went to a different dentist at the age of 21 who decided (without x-rays) that I needed two fillings - both very obvious in my smile, so he advised (strongly) that white fillings were the only option unless I "wanted a load of metal visible everytime I smiled"

It turns out one of those was extremely deep, which I didn't know, having never had any dental work done before.

The procedure was carried out really badly - the dental nurse was shocked, but that's another story.

6 years later and I've been along to my usual dentist, as I do every 6 months and it wasn't the guy I usually see.

The new dentist checked my teeth and said they were perfect. Then wanted to know what kind of brush I use - apparently I need to use a different brand of electric toothbrush. All fine.

At this point, she decided to x-ray me (I had been x-rayed extensively 6months prior due to a massive wisdom tooth which had been removed) and it was honestly like her Christmas had come early - she was genuinely excited to show me a shadow next to one of the fillings I'd had previously (the deep one) and told me with GLEE that I was going to have to have a root canal unless I shelled out £950 for a replacement inlay.

I'm worried because my usual dentist has never been this dramatic and just said last time that I would need to think about having that filling re-done at some point. He never mentioned it being an inlay.

Where did the £950 come from? 21 yr-old me would never have spent that much the first time round so why would this one be so expensive?

It's the 5th upper right molar - the new dentist told me anything other than a white filling will be very obvious and unattractive - but I'm sceptical. Will I even notice a gold/metal filling in a tooth that far back?

Does anyone have a filling in a fifth upper molar? Any advise would be much appreciated!!

She went on and on about root canal and losing the tooth so I'm panicking!!

You need mrsmorton or one of our other dentists to advise you here. I hope one of them sees this soon. Maybe bump it later if needed.

I had a similar experience last week with a locum dentist (my regular guy has broken his leg), who diagnosed my tooth pain as "muscle pain" despite part of my filling having fallen out. He's also convinced I grind my teeth despite my dentist of 2 years never once mentioning it.

I went straight back to the receptionists and asked to see someone else. Have to wait until early September but worth it.

OP, I'd advise if you're not in terrible pain, asking to see someone else when convenient for a second opinion. It's your money and your prerogative.

Bumping for MrsMorton's attention...

When can you see your usual dentist?
I would want a second opinion...

Thanks everyone - I'm moving in December so will need to register at a new dentist. Think I'll wait and see what they say

I dunno what an inlay is but I've just paid a bit over £200 on the nhs for a silver crown on my first molar. I don't think it will be noticeable. Even if Id wanted a white one it would have been £405 for a white crown, that's a private price as the nhs don't do white crowns on molars.

Viva thanks for your reply. As far as I know, an inlay is like a super-filling, one step before a crown.

My dentist is in Kensington - where you can get your botox done at the same time - so I did suspect it may have been way overpriced!

£405.00 is much more reasonable!

Ive just googled the posh private dentist in our town and they have their fees on their website. Inlays from £370. So I guess a complicated one would be more but doubt it would be £950.

Id get a second opinion and shop around!

Hi OP. I've been missing in action (I was on the list so shoring up my defences). This all sounds a bit odd tbh. Did your dentist give you a diagnosis? Inlay or root canal treatment aren't really options for the same thing. Inlay or filling, yes. RCT or extraction, yes.

PM me for more specifics if you like or on here. I'll try to help!

Mrsmorton thanks for your reply!

My usual dentist just casually reminds me after each check up (which includes an x-ray) that the filling (he's never called it an inlay) will need to be replaced. He calmly reminds me that it needs to be done, without trying to terrify me.

Whereas the new dentist was so excited after seeing the x-ray that she wanted to take an impression for the inlay there and then!

When I began asking questions as, AFAIK, I'd never had an inlay, she got more and more scare-mongering and dismissive and ended with saying that, depending on how much of the tooth had to be removed, I'd possibly be looking at RCT and eventually lose the tooth.

It all felt a bit like a pressure sale to be honest, especially as she dismissed anything I said and made out that because the tooth is in my smile line (barely) the ONLY option is a white inlay. I asked about gold/mercury and was told both would create shadow which would be unattractive.

I'm not a dentist by any means, but after an evening's googling, it would appear that, as an avid tooth-grinder, a white inlay is not suitable for me at all and the best option in terms of longevity would be a gold inlay, which I believe is available on the NHS if mercury/white is not an option due to wear the filling/inlay will be

So, I think, I need a new dentist to tell me if I need an inlay or a filling. And, if so, could they fit a gold one without it showing?

Any advice very welcome!

It sounds a bit odd, inlays aren't incredibly common to be honest and take a bit of treatment planning in my opinion. Certainly not a "boom that needs an inlay" decision.

Second opinion I think. Especially as it's so expensive.

Thanks MrsM - I've done some research and the most expensive that any other dentist is prepared to charge for a white inlay is £650...

I had an onlay which cost £400. I'm not sure how an inlay differs. I didn't need a root canal though.

I've been to my dentist this morning re a cracked filling which unfortunately needs crowning now as there's not enough strong tooth to hold another deep filling - was quoted £456 for a white porcelain one which is way cheaper than your quote!

Think you need a second opinion