Could the dentist be wrong?

[WinterGold]

I’ve been going regularly to the same practice for check ups/hygienist for years and yesterday saw a new dentist for my appointment. She said I had a concerning crack behind one of my front teeth!
She didn’t offer to do anything about it, just for me to be careful when biting!

I saw the hygienist who did a very thorough job a month ago, who never mentioned anything, have had no damage or impacts whatsoever to the tooth in question and in the past been complimented on my oral maintenance and health.

I’m now paranoid that I’m about to lose the tooth and am imagining every bump I can feel with my tongue on its surface is serious. Am I right to feel a bit suspicious and to have lost confidence? I did feel her general check up overall was a bit vague too. My previous dentist seemed to spend more time assessing each individual tooth.

Would it be undiplomatic to ask to see another dentist in the practice for a second opinion, or better to go to a completely new one? I’m on Denplan.

It's unusual for someone to say something is concerning but not offer to do anything about it. So presumably it isn't a serious issue at this point.

But can you see the crack? In a mirror? Does the tooth hurt at all? Does it wobble?

I'd say it's fine to book in a second opinion, maybe with the owner or lead dentist. And this time just ask up front things like-

How do you think it got there?
What will happen if I leave it?
What treatment can you offer me for it?
How can I stop cracks from happening again?

Thank you for your reply.

No, absolutely no symptoms of sensitivity whatsoever. It was the first I knew of it when she mentioned it.

Part of the reason I’m a bit cynical is the practice has been taken over in the last year by one of these large countrywide groups. There seems to have been a complete change of staff and my check up, apart from her comment about the crack behind my front tooth, was pretty perfunctory. I’d booked a slightly longer appointment back in April to have a composite infill on a slightly exposed root, but she said she didn’t have time and I’d have to rebook - for August.

I had a similar situation. New dentist after corporate takeover found a small crack in the back of a tooth & recommended a bespoke mouthguard to be worn at night to stop further damage. This had to be made & the cost was not covered by DenPlan. She left shortly afterwards & no subsequent dentist has mentioned a crack…

I was told a cracked tooth needed to be removed 7 years ago. Changed dentist and he said to keep an eye on it. He’s now retired and new dentist says the tooth just has a line on it and isn’t cracked at all. Dentists are like garage mechanics. If you can’t trust them get a second opinion.

If you feel comfortable with your former dentist, track them down and continue seeing them.

I'm just regretting paying a fortune to have a tooth out (and having to live on painkillers for 9 days!) which broke four and a half years ago and still wasn't causing me any issues. The original dentist who filed the rough edge off at the time said it would probably be okay for another year!
If the dentist doesn't think it needs attention then I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for all your replies.

It jist seems odd that I saw the hygienist a month before, who did a very thorough job, and nothing was mentioned either.

Unfortunately, the previous dentist I was happy with has moved to the other end of the country, otherwise I would have gone with her.

I’m now doing some research into some independent practices in my area and asking online for opinions on locals’ views.

I’ve become a bit cynical about some dentists. About 10 years ago, one came to my current practice who, every time I visited, ‘found’ a cavity that needed filling, despite me going for years previously without needing any and always being told my oral health and care was excellent. After 2 years he left, and apart from repairs to existing ones, I’ve not required any new fillings in the subsequent decade.

Ask your previous dentist to recommend a dentist near you!

And yes, my (former) dentist WAS mistaken! I went to a different practice who did a thorough check of everything, including a camera in my mouth which produced a 3D image, plus x rays.

Absolutely no crack was found, just a slight ridge in the tooth surface, which isn’t unusual apparently. I also had a slightly discoloured tooth which I had noticed in the mirror, but was dismissed as nothing by the previous one - but does have active decay and needs attention.

Certainly worthwhile getting a second opinion after all!

Sorry to pop up on an old thread, just wondered if the dentists you saw were NHS/private? I've had a similar shock today- I saw my dentist in November and all was fine, she's now on Mat leave so today I saw another dentist and apparently need over £2k of work doing!!