Expert: Rafael Mosery,D.D.S. - 3/29/2006

Question
Dr Mosery,  I have gone to a family dentist twice a year for all my 27 years with exams and x-rays showing NO cavities or fillings needed.  Now I switched to a new dentist for insurance reasons.  After my 1st cleaning he does this "stick" test by pressing a sharp probe onto my tooth surface and says I should get 4 fillings.  2 on the back of front teeth and 2 on the surface of my 3rd? molars.  Why would 4 places all the sudden need this since my last appointment?  Is this legitimate?  Was my old dentist bad or is this new dentist "looking for business"?   Maybe my old dentist is more familiar with my teeth and doesn't see this as a progressing problem?  Who's closer to the truth, what's your opinion?  Thanks  

Answer
Kavo came out with the Diagnodent device, this measures tooth density and leakage around composite fillings. it's another gadget. First off, get another exam, I think you shouldn't have left your first dentist for insurance reasons, this whole episode sounds fishy. Many times if theres a catch(when a dental explorer gets stuck in a crevice of a tooth) it's a discretionary call on behalf of the treating dentist. I've watched these catches on many patients for many many years with no need to restore.A catch doesn't necessarily mean there's decay. Sometimes these could be sealed or just left alone an monitored regularly.Again it boils down to trust.I think your old dentist is closer to the truth.Good luck