NatashaB

I love my US dentist. Even if I moved back to the UK I would probably fly back to see him. The only 'selling' they do is to make sure I use up all my insurance benefits.

In the UK I had to have fillings wiith no anaesthetic because the NHS dentist couldn't find my nerve to inject. My dentist here recognized straight away that it was in an odd position and now knows exactly what to do to numb me up. Even my dental phobic husband (hadn't been to the dentist since he was 16) is OK with checkups there. Apparently tartar buildup can affect your immune system, and he has definitely been ill less since he started getting regular cleanings.

steveq

My new dentist is an ex-pat Hong Kong resident ! Took a full (17 ? ) set of X-rays and is currently reworking 6 old fillings. Couldn't be happier with the work, or the virtually painless rootcanal I had done here in April.

RICH

I had not been to a dentist for 10 years or so before I came to US.
First appt was xrays/cleaning and 5 mins of the actual dentist poking around. (there's your 90 minutes). I got put on a periodetantal program of cleaning every 3 months, but after a few years I believe they were just going through the motions, and changed to 6 monthly.

Only actual work was 2 crowns, which was "optional". Never any sales pressure, and never any pain, in my 10 years US experience. And no judgement of UK standards. 3 fillings I had 40 years ago are still intact!

username.exe

My sympathies, Lansbury.

When I reflect on the worst physical pain I've experienced, almost exclusively it relates back to the dentist. I know I'm going to have to go, but I really have no desire to book an appointment for some time.

kodokan

I haven't found this at all. My US dentist hasn't changed a single one of my 20-30 year old silver NHS fillings 'just because', in nearly 4 years. He found one had cracked slightly - showed me in great detail on his camera/ screen set up - and replaced that one, but said the rest were fine and should be left alone if they weren't causing any problems. He's been very complimentary about UK dentistry.

This is mildly annoying. We have excellent dental insurance which means fillings are completely free, and I was looking forward to switching my metal ones for white ones, at a 1-2 a year basis. But no - even when I gently prod him with 'well, should we replace some of these old ones, just to be sure...' he refuses to churn my insurance. Spoilsport.

Rete

Me, neither. I don't even have novacaine for a filling.

WhyteBoar

I don't think our US dentist had ever seen teeth NHS teeth. He was really surprised that I still had my wisdom teeth and was very curious as to how NHS dentistry works.

I hated my NHS dentists; I had one good dentist until I was 21, which then followed a couple of years if not being able to find a dentist and a few years of terrible money grabbing NHS dentists.

My US dentist gave my teeth a good clean and descale and took lots of x-rays. Turned out I needed a small filling (wasn't surprised), which I had down a week later without anaesthetic as it was so small.

I don't feel like he pressured either of us for unnecessary treatment. We will see what happens in October for our check up.

WEBlue

PetiteF, you seem knowledgeable about this subject-- is a specialist required replace or rework almost any of one's old fillings? Both dentists I've seen here in the US have sent me to specialists-- endodontists--for a look at changing out an old filling and redoing a root canal. I refused both procedures, BTW, as neither tooth has given me any trouble and I was suspicious of their motives...but who knows if that was correct....

It seems my regular dentist will only do small, brand-new fillings...not redo old problems previously fixed in England or even major deep new fillings....

jjmb

Weblue, my dentist does all fillings, has no problems redoing old fillings but for root canals she always refers to endondonists. Part of it might be do with your dental insurance as a endondonists can use your medical insurance as well for parts of the procedure. If a root canal is recommended I would do it as developing an abscess is horrendous. I was unfortunate enough to develop an abscess on 3 roots of one tooth, the dentist had never seen that before. The pain was worse than childbirth. Unfortunately that tooth could not be saved but I have had no problems with the other 2 I have had, one of which was done in the UK and cracked, so had to be replaced. With the 2nd one, I had a slight issue but it was to with my bite and once the cap was shaved down, it was fine.

As to phobias, iI suspect it depends on whether you had a good experience as child or not. I had a terrible visit when I had an abscess develop on a baby tooth at the age of 7. My own dentist wasn't prepared to take it out due to the abscess so I was referred to specialist in a London hospital. Unfortunately he decided to use injections to numb the site and injections then were not the small very fine things they use today. One of the injections hit the roof of my mouth because I was really nervous so I prompty refused to reopen my mouth for another injection. So the dentist slapped me. It was in the 60's so my mother was waiting outside and knew nothing about this until we had left. She was furious and obviously reported the dentist but the damage was done. By the age of 16 I was so terrified of dentists I actually ran screaming out of the room when one dentist came near me with an injection. It was the same dentist who suggested that I use a new drug which put you into a twilight world while the filling was done. She said it would help overcome the anxiety and in time I would be able to sit calmly in a dental chair. It took some time but she was right. I still don't like the sound of a drill and I have sensitive teeth so I still need a fair about of anesthetics if I need a filling but fortunately they seem to few and far between these days.

petitefrancaise

I'm an ex dental assistant and ex-hygienist.
I worked with a Harley St endodontist for 3 years....so I know a thing or two about root fillings.

It's usually pretty obvious if a root canal needs to be re-done. It's either not the right length, hasn't had all the canals done, has an old type of filling material known to degrade or there is pathology. These can all be seen on xray. When working, we would always show the patient the problems on the xray and there is no reason for your dentist not to show you. It's not rocket science. If the root fillings are a bit short but you have no pathology then you could probably leave it alone. If your dentist can see evidence of disease then you should get it done asap. If the filling on top is getting worn out and possibly leaking around the edges, the dentist may decide that it's worth getting the root canal done before placing a new restoration on top. You'd be a bit pee'd off if you paid $500++ for a new filling only to have it rendered useless within a year because the rooth canal gave up.

My dentist here in the Austin has replaced a couple of older fillings that were starting to look a bit worn out but they were 25ish years old so no big deal.

There's no reason for a visit to the dentist to be painful. If it is, find yourself a better dentist. Hygienists on the other hand are an evil bunch who love to inflict pain ..........

Weeze

Honestly I think it will depend which dentist to go to. I got recommendations and said to him that I wanted to make sure my mouth was healthy, after that we could talk about anything else. I needed a couple of very minor fillings. he was happy with my existing UK filling. Generally it was better than my UK experience (sorry dad) purely because everything is newer and fancier. If they recommend a lot of work and you aren't happy, leave and go somewhere else. Even a basic understanding of X-rays helps understand if the treatment is necessary or not.

AmerLisa

I too have had bad experiences with dentists (although not to your extreme..!) So I have, for the last few years, put off getting some stuff done that should have routinely been done.... Anyway, I found a fantastic dentist and I explained to them on the phone what my issues were and I couldn't be happier. I don't tend to be a wimpy person, but yes the dentist filled me with dread. Seriously am so happy with this dentist and I hope you find someone equally as trusting.

markonline1

I haven't been to the dentist for more years than I'm prepared to admit to on here. I think I'd have to be knocked out and carried in to be honest!

Nutek

Given what we now know about dentists and hunting, I wish mine would track me and then just dart me as I cross a parking lot or something.

markonline1

LOL