My teeth cost way too much...how long can I wait for a cavity?

Question:

So far I've spent a couple thousand (braces, cavities) and have a couple more thousand to go (bone graft, root canal, tooth implant). I went to a dentist a few weeks ago who said I needed a root canal on one tooth...didn't mention any other teeth. He was way too expensive though so we went to another place. They found 2 cavities on BOTH sides of my left AND right upper molars. One of them has a large filling already so the lady said I'll need a crown ($700). I'm not sure if these are really cavities since the first dentist didn't talk about them at all. But as of a few weeks ago, I take really good care of my teeth and I'm hoping I can put those off until I turn 18 in Janurary and will be able to take care of it myself and not get tortured by my parents who are paying for my root canal and implant and all that... what do you think?

Answers:
I am not a dentist, but had lot of encounters with them. First of all I strongly recommend you to do regular flossing. Flossing help a lot as it clears the gaps in between the teeth, where tooth brush can't reach. It reduces the cavities drastically. Flossing is necessary immediately after eating sticky foodstuff. Otherwise, twice a day is okay.

I think you should take a 3rd opinion from a dentist. Sometimes doctors do pre-emptive treatment, although its good for the patient, but at the same time more financially fruitful for the doctors. Crown is the last resort when there is no support/wall available in the tooth for the filling to attach. If the cavities are filled with stronger resins (nowadays there are many improved products available with the dentist) they are equally as good as crown.

Go through the following link to know more about the tooth restorations processes:

http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fillings.asp

Further, If I were you, I may have visited a dentist, after knowing his opinion would have disclosed that I am working on a budget & requested him to suggest best possible remedies available in that budget.

Other Answers:
Do you have a way to pay for this? Also, if you wait, you take the chance that one of these teeth could cause you problems that you would have to get after-hours care for - say on a weekend or holiday. Trust me, a toothache is NOT fun!

wow that's a lot of work to go through and not even be 18 yet. i'm sorry i really don't have an answer. take care of your teeth!!

always get second and third opinions and start brushing and flossing!

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My teeth cost way too much...how long can I wait for a cavity?

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