Second opinion on a Dentist... is it worth it?

[Marcel1]

Few days ago I went to the dentist for the first time since I live here.

My last visit to a dentist was about 5 years ago in my native country Holland. There a dentist sort of messed up many of my teeth and I got infections afterwards. A different dentist fixed it all up with 4 different root-canal treatments. An official complaint couldn't be lodged anywhere where it would have made sense and even my insurance (I was well insured) said at a certain point that they didn't paid my bills anymore. That time I was early 20's and always been in good health, brush my teeth 3/4 times a day. I figured that most dentists are just thieves and they know that we don't know anything so they have a monopoly in what they are doing. Also upon questioning different dentists they all seemed to defending each other.

With this experience I vowed to not go to a dentist again unless I am in pain, sort of same like visiting a doctor. Now I've been here for a couple of years and recently started to develop toothache. To be honest, I would guess a good 6 teeth need some serious check up. When I looked closely in the mirror with good light I could see 1 tooth with cavities and 1 tooth with a huge hole, big enough to stick a toothpick. Reason to visit the dentist

After looking around I found one on Sukhumvit 101/1 Dentalcarebkk website in Thai so I figured it would be more local and so a bit cheaper, with still good quality. Made an appointment and went for a visit the other day. The girl who checked me was nice, looked around and decided I needed some good cleaning first. Slightly selling technique but then again I not been for a long time so that was ok for me. She did a good clean up (900baht) while I asked for x-rays to be taken, she said; no need sirrrr because I see that you need to fill three teeth again because on 2 you lost you old fillings and one has cavities. In the end she studied for it (I hope)so I agreed to come back 2 days later. Yesterday I came back and got a new dentist, first thing she asks. What do we go to do today sirrrr? I said, I hope you know because its your job to talk with your colleague. She didn't know so she went with the cold water past every tooth to see it was sensitive. Some teeth sometimes hurt but they are not sensitive, that's why I requested for x-rays again. She said, no need because, I see that you have cavities in 1 tooth and big hole in another tooth. (already 1 tooth less then the first dentist)...

also she mentioned that she will fix one tooth with two cavities straight away and send me to a new dentist to consult about the other one, she said it was too big for filling and needed a root-canal treatment with crown.

For the filling of one tooth yesterday I paid 2.300 baht which I think is decent since it was a good one and a half hours work. The root-canal and crown would be total around 20.000 she said.

I compared with other dentists in Bangkok and the price is not bad. The only thing I worry about is that I've been two times there and two times I get a different story. Maybe it is experience level or maybe they don't know what they are doing. Since my dental history I've been quite suspicious with dentists and I would like to hear from you guys who have more dental experience in Thailand if it is correct most of the times or that other places can tell you complete different things. there have been many dental topics but most seem over a year old so feel free to share your story.

[apetley]

Large filling in Kanchanaburi a few weeks ago cost me 600 bht with pain killing injection.

[Marcel1]

Hmm thats quite a difference. I haf two filling on one tooth but that would still be 100% more expensive. Does your dentist have a website?

[h90]

To make an XRay is always a good idea to get an overview.

I had good experiences with http://www.asavanant.com/ and they are well organized.

But they are expensive for Thailand....Top politicians go there......

[apetley]

Hmm thats quite a difference. I haf two filling on one tooth but that would still be 100% more expensive. Does your dentist have a website?

Sorry, no website. It's a small private clinic in town.

[Marcel1]

Ok thnx anyway.

[h90]

Hmm thats quite a difference. I haf two filling on one tooth but that would still be 100% more expensive. Does your dentist have a website?

I think it isn't worth to go the absolute cheapest and get a bad job done which needs expensive repair later on.

But of course cheaper doesn't mean that it isn't good.

[Marcel1]

True, I don't mind paying more for good work but it is nice to find a mid way

[Lumbini]

I know little but share something I find in my investigation into seeing many dentist getting different opinions now seeing wholistic dentist here . There is a common dental procedure that nearly every dentist will tell you is completely safe, despite the fact that scientists have been warning of its dangers for more than 100 years.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/18/dangers-of-root-canaled-teeth.aspx

[think_too_mut]

"She did a good clean up (900baht) while I asked for x-rays to be taken, she said; no need sirrrr because I see that you need to fill three teeth again because on 2 you lost you old fillings and one has cavities. In the end she studied for it (I hope)so I agreed to come back 2 days later. Yesterday I came back and got a new dentist, first thing she asks. What do we go to do today sirrrr? I said, I hope you know because its your job to talk with your colleague."

I wonder why did not they take the X-ray first? Without it they can hardly tell if there is an infection around some tooth root in the mouth. Could even be multiple infections. Also, without it they can't tell if some tooth is dead (Root canal therapy would not need anaesthesia, no pain, like clipping nails).

At that, X-ray would cost far less money than 900THB cleaning.

As per the first post, the staff do not radiate that air of competency at all.

[Marcel1]

"She did a good clean up (900baht) while I asked for x-rays to be taken, she said; no need sirrrr because I see that you need to fill three teeth again because on 2 you lost you old fillings and one has cavities. In the end she studied for it (I hope)so I agreed to come back 2 days later. Yesterday I came back and got a new dentist, first thing she asks. What do we go to do today sirrrr? I said, I hope you know because its your job to talk with your colleague."

I wonder why did not they take the X-ray first? Without it they can hardly tell if there is an infection around some tooth root in the mouth. Could even be multiple infections. Also, without it they can't tell if some tooth is dead (Root canal therapy would not need anaesthesia, no pain, like clipping nails).

At that, X-ray would cost far less money than 900THB cleaning.

As per the first post, the staff do not radiate that air of competency at all.

Exactly my thoughts, a x-ray would be the most logic to do first.

[Tolley]

With a dentist on every second corner in Thailand you can bet your life many are compete rubbish.

You need to research very carefully where you get your teeth done here.

[maxme]

I find it kinda weird that they refused to take x-rays when you had not been to a dentist for many years and when the hole is pretty big that you may need a root canal. Routine check up x-rays is actually every 6 months or every year. They should take Bite Wing x-rays to check for cavities between teeth and periapical x-rays for the one that may need a root canal. I have used Bangkok Smile for years and highly recommend this dentist. 2300 Baht for a big filling is not cheap for Thailand and about the same i pay at Bangkok Smile.

[Marcel1]

Thnx, I found them quite weird as well, looking for a new one now.

[NancyL]

I'm still getting over the part about how the OP hasn't been to a dentist in over 5 years.

I guess this is like people not going to see a doctor until they get sick. Hmm, no clue they have diabetes or high blood pressure. At least the OP could see the cavity in his tooth.

Edited September 16, 2014 by NancyL

[Marcel1]

Well Nancy, If you have read further than the second sentence you would have saved yourself some time wondering, I quote:

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There a dentist sort of messed up many of my teeth and I got infections afterwards. A different dentist fixed it all up with 4 different root-canal treatments. An official complaint couldn't be lodged anywhere where it would have made sense and even my insurance (I was well insured) said at a certain point that they didn't paid my bills anymore. That time I was early 20's and always been in good health, brush my teeth 3/4 times a day. I figured that most dentists are just thieves and they know that we don't know anything so they have a monopoly in what they are doing. Also upon questioning different dentists they all seemed to defending each other.

With this experience I vowed to not go to a dentist again unless I am in pain, sort of same like visiting a doctor.

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Thanks for worrying about my further health but I am in my 20's sport 5 times per week, I take care of everything I eat. Always healthy/organic with of course an occasional steak once a month but with a fat percentage of 8% I do not worry that much about it If you know what is going in your body you do not have to check up with the doctor every month to see how i'm doing.

I do however have a health check every year when I need a small check for the workpermit renewal I take a full check, but further I see no reason to check more often.

My teeth, yes I never say it was smart not to go for such a long time but if you read above again maybe it gives some understanding. Anyways.. busy fixing it up now.