Any dentists help ?

[Elliejane]

Hi
My teenage son went to see his dentist in feb 23. It was a new dentist and different to one he seen before . She asked him at his appointment if his previous dentist had ever mentioned a white area under one of his molars and he said no . He is 19 so went alone but last time he was 18 and went with me and dentist took X-ray as he has 2 missing adult teeth on upper mouth so it was more that we discussed . She did not do a new X-ray so think one was a year old at least .

Anyway she said she would refer him to oral and maxiofacial. I was bit worried so got my son to call her in feb and I spoke to dentist but she was bit vague and said it just looked like extra bone growth or something but wanted a second opinion

We waited a few weeks but heard nothing at all so I assume all was ok until today when we got a letter(3mths later )to say he is now in waiting list to see the oral maxiofacial and waiting list is 10-12 weeks so to phone and let know any dates you ok holiday

So now I am back worrying again what is wrong with him . I do suffer from health anxiety

Any thoughts?

Ellie

Referrals always take time.
Teen DS has just had a letter from Max facial for an appointment next month and he was referred by the dentist in September 2022. I had to wait 6 months to be seen when I was referred to them.

The dentist wanted a second opinion and they won’t get that second option until he is seen so he was referred, which you were aware of, there’s nothing to worry about.

Sorry, I realise you can’t really tell the tone from text, I’m not being snippy or sarcastic, just trying to reassure you re how referrals work. You don’t necessarily hear instantly after being referred and the fact you’ve had a letter now is nothing to worry about.

thanks for replying . I guess I am more worrying what it could actually be but just have to wait as could be months yet

hope you both get on ok

Lots of very benign things show up on x rays and get referred. Waiting is sort of a good thing- if I was worried about a patient I’d refer as ‘2 week wait’ (if cancer suspected) or urgent, which would be a lot less than 12weeks.

Try not to get worked up about it. I get letters back saying ‘thanks for referring Mr X, we have diagnosed (insert totally benign, no treatment required condition here) and are discharging him back to your care’ all the time.

Thanks it has already been 3 months since he saw dentist and they said a further 10 weeks from now so hoping it can’t be that urgent.
The first dentist that did the X-ray in 2021 did not even mention it it was only when we had a new dentist at same practice that she said .

So whatever it is has been there since 2021 at least

my mind still goes into overdrive though as that’s what health anxiety does

just need to try to forget it till appointment now

Update my son had his appt today which was just a phone appt with the specialist
He said he could not tell from x Ray what it was so wants a 3d scan which will be another 2 months wait
I am worried now that they wanting a scan and what on earth it is .
any dentists?

Hi,
I worry about my kids all the time, I have health anxiety too so I know what its like. I always imagine the worst, but usually it's not. So think positive thoughts and take care.

Hi,
normal X-rays are 2D and we can’t always see the details in it . 3D X-rays ( CT scans) enable us to see and measure in detail . 3D X-rays is a fairly routine diagnostic tool in dentistry

I hope this assist .