Watch Out for Unnecessary Treatments at the Dentist

We all know that you should see a dentist twice a year for basic cleanings. If you regularly brush and floss, you may not need other dental work. Dentists can't increase their income doing just basic cleanings. Some practices are trying to up sell you into procedures you may not need.

Over at Mother Jones they examine the "creative diagnosis" some dentists come up with. These diagnoses require thousands of dollars of treatment without warning. Second opinions by mainstream dentists find nothing wrong and no treatment necessary.

Some dentists are on the level and only suggest treatments in your best interest. Mother Jones has some things to watch out for:

beware of specials: That laser dentistry and whitening package may be a ploy to get you in the door so the practice can upsell you on more-profitable procedures. Van Dyk also advises caution if your dentist insists on replacing all your old fillings or always recommends crowns instead of fillings. And look out for excessive X-rays: The ADA says healthy patients need a full set (14 to 22) every two years at the most. If your dentist recommends a special "cone-beam" X-ray, get a second opinion, since, along with a 3-D picture of your mouth, it delivers a dose of radiation up to 18 times that of a traditional dental X-ray.

Your best line of defense is always a second opinion before an expensive or invasive treatment

Is Your Dentist Ripping You Off? | Mother Jones via The Billfold

Photo by Herry Lawford.

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