On 12/14/2025 at 7:25 PM, Jingthing said:

OK, I have a mouth situation that is new to me.

My good dentist who does good work and I do largely trust told me that I had a cavity too big for a filling and then he didn't want to do anything about it (which would usually be a root canal and crown). Well, more like wait and see if/when it gets worse as it isn't painful at this point.

I think you'll agree that dentists bless their hearts generally err on the overselling of procedures as opposed to underselling. 

But it's my understanding that untreated cavities are a form of inflammation that can create risks in OVERALL health. So I don't like just letting it be.

I'll be seeing him again in some months and will talk to him about it again. I'm not sure if he would agree to do a root canal on it if I demand it. I guess he probably would. 

It's upper back right which is not a cosmetic issue if pulled but I looked it up and that area is very bad for anything other than crowns or implants.

But maybe he's right and I should just watch it as he suggests?

 

Go to a qualified dentist that cares about your dental care.  

29 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The "too big to fill" part puzzles me. I can only guess that due to the size of the cavity he anticipates the tooth might crack in the process. But leaving it untreated is not a sensible option.

 

On the other hand, pushing any health care provider to do something they feel unable to do/don't feel comfortable about, is also not a good idea. Again, get anther opinion. Another dentist might have more experience with cavitie4s of this size/feel more confident about undertaking it. 

 

You don't have yo change dentists altogether. Just for this one specific problem.

Well I have more info on that part.

He said too big to fill and did mention that a filling there wouldn't last. He didn't mention a cracking risk but that doesn't mean he wasn't thinking that. So I asked well if you do fill it anyway might it last at least one year. He said he didn't know implying probably not. He did mention when talking about leaving it for now until things might get worse a root canal and crown.

You're right not a good idea to push to do something he doesn't want to do for some unknown reason. I think I can probably get a better feel for that at my next appointment which isn't very far off. If I'm not feeling good about that, yeah sure time  for another opinion. 

The obvious question which I failed to ask last time was if you can't fill it and it's on the way to root canal and crown  anyway why wait?

I more or less implied that question but fell short of asking it that clearly and directly.

Go get a second opinion. And make sure wherever you go is JCI accredited. 

On 12/14/2025 at 7:25 PM, Jingthing said:

OK, I have a mouth situation that is new to me.

 

Go get a second opinion.

Forget the name of the place, only used it for the last ten + years.   i have no complaints

about the place root canal, crowns, fillings cleaning.  all good and not OTT on price.

Soi 5 Jomtien, bottom of soi beach road end, the first set of shop houses on the right down from immigration.

about 3 doors in.

 

Tooth and mouth infections can be contributing causes of heart issues. 

1 minute ago, gk10012001 said:

Tooth and mouth infections can be contributing causes of heart issues. 

Yes, I'm aware of that. 

Also leaving a deteriorating condition untreated can lead to emergency dental situations like abscesses. 

On 12/14/2025 at 8:02 PM, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Had upper right molar 2 pulled after failed root canal.  Oral surgeon that pulled it said implant optional not necessary.  Dentist gave me implant quote but wasn't pushy about it.  Found a subreddit that appeared to be legit dentists and the consensus seemed to be implants optional for that location. 

Implants do not last as long as one might want. Weigh your age and your life expectancy against the cost and need for implant versus just a tooth pull.

On 12/14/2025 at 7:35 PM, Jingthing said:

Not in all cases but my dentist already said if I was to crown it, it would need a root canal. Short of an implant though.

 

 

Why not get an implant?

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

Why not get an implant?

 

 

 

I'm not at the point where I have a dentist that wants to treat it at all.

He did mention if it deteriorates then root canal and crown. 

But the general answer to your question is -- cost.

 

I'm no dentist but as far as I know, you don't want to leave cavities until they start to hurt more.  

1 minute ago, shdmn said:

I'm no dentist but as far as I know, you don't want to leave cavities until they start to hurt more.  

Yeah I think that would be the common typical perception.

This case doesn't hurt at all though.

It is certainly mine as well which is why I was quite surprised and confused by the suggestion to do nothing. 

On 12/14/2025 at 7:25 PM, Jingthing said:

OK, I have a mouth situation that is new to me.

 

So hard to imagine, Sir.

 

Still, a good line, for openers.

 

IMHO....

If the tooth is still healthy, with no decay, or if the decay has been treated...

Then, this is an easy decision.

 

You just need a crown.

Crowns are cheap.

I mean, you don't want a solid gold crown, do you?

(or do you)

 

Most of the tooth is probably still there, or hopefully it is.

 

My warning to your dentist is that if She does not crown this tooth, there is always the risk of fracture...

And then where will she be?

 

 

On 12/15/2025 at 4:10 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Have you asked AI? probably better advice than the non dentists we have on board

 

If AI, then always Gemini.

Gemini is far better for a prompt such as this.

 

Just now, GammaGlobulin said:

 

So hard to imagine, Sir.

 

Still, a good line, for openers.

 

IMHO....

If the tooth is still healthy, with no decay, or if the decay has been treated...

Then, this is an easy decision.

 

You just need a crown.

Crowns are cheap.

I mean, you don't want a solid gold crown, do you?

 

Most of the tooth is probably still there, or hopefully it is.

 

My warning to your dentist is that if She does not crown this tooth, there is always the risk of fracture...

And then where will she be?

 

 

You raised a good detail.

When he mentioned crown and root canal, there seemed to be an implication that the root canal maybe/maybe not depending. Which would mean even more reason to crown it now if possible. 

This in the context of my experience with this dentist where there never were any mysteries or seemingly odd advice before.

He may have a good reason for this, but if so, why not just say what it is?

 

9 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I'm not at the point where I have a dentist that wants to treat it at all.

He did mention if it deteriorates then root canal and crown. 

But the general answer to your question is -- cost.

 

 

 

Good luck but  reading your thread leaves me feeling a  replacement would definitely be the best option.      Expensive, yes but you only have one set of natural teeth.

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

Good luck but  reading your thread leaves me feeling a  replacement would definitely be the best option.      Expensive, yes but you only have one set of natural teeth.

 

 

 

 

Well placed crowns last quite a long time.

12 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I'm not at the point where I have a dentist that wants to treat it at all.

He did mention if it deteriorates then root canal and crown. 

But the general answer to your question is -- cost.

 

 

 

I'd bet the ranch that you'd have no trouble finding a good dentist  at the dental clinic of BPH.

 

 

 

Just now, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

I'd bet the ranch that you'd have no trouble finding a good dentist  at the dental clinic of BPH.

 

 

 

No doubt there are many good dentists in town.

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You raised a good detail.

When he mentioned crown and root canal, there seemed to be an implication that the root canal maybe/maybe not depending. Which would mean even more reason to crown it now if possible. 

This in the context of my experience with this dentist where there never were any mysteries or seemingly odd advice before.

He may have a good reason for this, but if so, why not just say what it is?

 

 

You mean:

You suspect a conspiracy theory?

 

I say: Go for crown. Crown may require root canal therapy. If root canal, then find a specialist, an endodontist. IF no decay, after MRI scan, then just crown the tooth.  In addition, it is not unheard of to go for a second opinion....  Or, I would say 3rd opinion, since I have already provided the 2nd opinion.

 

And, finally, I would say: Ask an endodontist, first, before making a decision.  You would need to find one that is well trained, and who has studied abroad in countries such as USA, UK, Germany, Canada, and maybe Switzerland.

 

 

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

You mean:

You suspect a conspiracy theory?

 

I say: Go for crown. Crown may require root canal therapy. If root canal, then find a specialist, an endodontist. IF no decay, after MRI scan, then just crown the tooth.  In addition, it is not unheard of to go for a second opinion....  Or, I would say 3rd opinion, since I have already provided the 2nd opinion.

 

And, finally, I would say: Ask an endodontist, first, before making a decision.  You would need to find one that is well trained, and who has studied abroad in countries such as USA, UK, Germany, Canada, and maybe Switzerland.

 

 

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say conspiracy theory, but the fact that he didn't explain the reason for the do nothing advice, I guess I am concerned the actual reason might not be related to what's best for my health. I don't know that though. 

My pearly's are going down faster than a snowball in hell pulled out the remnants of one only yesterday with pliers front left fell out last week false set now my only option next year what's the price?.

6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say conspiracy theory, but the fact that he didn't explain the reason for the do nothing advice, I guess I am concerned the actual reason might not be related to what's best for my health. I don't know that though. 

 

Maybe he is suffering from SAD.

Even in Thailand, many have been affected by Seasonal Affect Disorder during the months of mid-November to the end of January.

 

February will be OK, though.  There will be much more sunlight in Thailand, and your dentist's spirits are sure to pick up, if you can hold on without dental treatment until then.

 

Otherwise, seek out an endodontist, and ask a pro.

 

 

14 minutes ago, Tidal wave said:

My pearly's are going down faster than a snowball in hell pulled out the remnants of one only yesterday with pliers front left fell out last week false set now my only option next year what's the price?.

 

Judging by the quality of your written sentence, you may have used too much anesthesia during your self-surgery, and have yet to recover.

 

 

7 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Judging by the quality of your written sentence, you may have used to much anesthesia during your self-surgery, and have yet to recover.

 

self-surgery, and have yet to recover. Use AI I don't.

 

11 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Maybe he is suffering from SAD.

Even in Thailand, many have been affected by Seasonal Affect Disorder during the months of mid-November to the end of January.

 

February will be OK, though.  There will be much more sunlight in Thailand, and your dentist's spirits are sure to pick up, if you can hold on without dental treatment until then.

 

Otherwise, seek out an endodontist, and ask a pro.

 

 

Funny that you said that.

A thought I had is that maybe he's just burnt out. Medical professionals are human after all.

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Funny that you said that.

A thought I had is that maybe he's just burnt out. Medical professionals are human after all.

 

Dentists are not completely human.

 

Yes, I had thought burnout, in fact.

 

2 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Dentists are not completely human.

 

Yes, I had thought burnout, in fact.

 

He definitely is very  overworked.

13 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Judging by the quality of your written sentence, you may have used too much anesthesia during your self-surgery, and have yet to recover.

 

 

Judging by the quality of your reply are you the English' police?🤔

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

he's just burnt out

 

In fact, I have read that suicide rates among dentists is higher than average.

 

My analysis shows that dentists are under higher-than-normal stress due to the need to cause pain to others.

There is nothing more stressful than this.

 

Let us not forget the unethical Milgram experiment.

The Milram experiment was unethical since it caused pain and stress to the students who were tricked into believing they were delivering lethal or very painful shocks to other students behind a screen.

This caused undue stress to the shockers.

 

Dentists are unable to escape causing pain to their patients.

This is extremely stressful.

 

This can cause psychological issues and burnout might be one of these issues.

 

Therefore, my advice:  It is best to choose a dentist who is both talented and also a psychopath.