Is the pain from your dental work not subsiding yet? Are you unsure about your dentist and their ability to solve your problem? In that case, do not hesitate to go for a second opinion.
Getting a second or even a third opinion is your right. Do not hesitate to go for it if you are not satisfied with your dentist.
Moreover, if you do not have a good rapport with them then it is in your best interest to go for a new dentist where you feel more comfortable.
This article discusses when you should take a second opinion and how you can reach another dentist. Keep reading to know more!
Do You Need a Second Opinion?
Ask yourself whether you need a second opinion if you are facing any of these situations:
- You are in pain from a previous dental work i.e. the pain remains even after treatment
- Your doctor diagnosed a huge problem such as oral cancer
- Your doctor suggested you get implants or fillings in teeth you do not feel have any problem
- You do not have a good relationship with your dentist
- The costs of the treatment are too high
- You do not think this treatment is necessary
- The dentist makes your treatment painful
- You are not satisfied with the results after treatment
- You want to see a specialist rather than a general dentist for your problem
If you are in any of these situations then do not think twice before searching for another dentist.
Some of these reasons may not look strong enough to change doctors for instance, not having a good rapport with them.
But if you feel judged and uncomfortable while getting treatment then it is certainly not the best experience.
Furthermore, if your dentist diagnoses a big dental problem such as oral cancer then it is best to go for another opinion before beginning treatment.
Usually, this doctor is a specialist rather than a general dentist that can deal with your regular oral health problems.
Hence, it is quite reasonable that you want to visit a specialist for the treatment.
In fact, your dentist may refer to one themselves.
Other than that, it is also completely fine if you want to have another doctor check your oral health whenever you feel like.
There are certain benefits to getting second or even third opinion including getting checked by an experienced specialist.
So even if you are comfortable, switch doctors if you feel like it.
Importance and Benefits of Getting Another Consultation
Going to another dentist can be a good option if they make you more comfortable than your first.
This can bring a huge change in your dental anxiety and will let you relax in the dentist’s office.
Therefore, if you do not have a good rapport with one dentist that does not mean that you will have the same relationship with the other one too.
A smaller change can make a big difference.
Furthermore, you can get an expert opinion on your diagnosis.
Thus if you have a general dentist then an expert can weigh on your situation giving you more assurance about the treatment.
The more dentists’ you consult, the clearer your condition, as well as its treatment, will become.
Hence, you may find out that your previous dentist was right in their diagnosis or even completely wrong.
What’s more, is that each dentist has their own experience which gives them a different perspective on the treatment.
Hence, if they have dealt with patients with your condition then they can bring their own perspective into play and devise your treatment accordingly.
Also, you may never know, after consultation, your second dentist is rather offering a cheaper solution than your first.
There is no hiding that dental treatments can be costly. Hence, if another dentist can give you an alternate solution or offer not as costly treatment then that is an additional benefit.
If you have reservations related to your dentist then do not think twice before getting another consultation.
Another dentist can give you the confidence to proceed with the same treatment as they build confidence and trust in you.
Thus, keeping these benefits in mind, approach another dentist. But how can you do that? Let’s find out below!
Approaching Another Dentist
If you have a community then it will not be tough to look for another dentist, given all of them visit different dentists.
That said, your community is not the only place whereby you can get a dentist’s referral.
It starts with your own dentist.
Ask Your Dentist
A good dentist will not hesitate while you another’s referral.
However, it is also best to keep in mind whether you have a good rapport with your dentist.
If you do, they will be happy to recommend you a specialist or another doctor if you are not satisfied with their treatment.
Checking Dental Societies
Local dental organizations and societies can guide you towards the right dentists. These societies have great resources and connections with dentists which can lead you to them.
Contacting Dental Schools
Dental colleges and schools usually have assistant professors and professors that are dentists continuing their practice elsewhere too.
If you contact a dental college, you can get a referral from a reputable dentist that can look into your condition.
Asking Your Dental Insurer
Your dental insurance company usually has the contact details of several dentists. They can not only refer you to one but can also guide you about whether your consultation is covered.
Plus, you will also find out if your insurance will cover your treatment with the dentist you want to visit.
Getting Recommendations from Friends and Family
Look around you! These people can give you the most honest recommendations.
Your friends, colleagues and family may go to a different dentist than yours.
Hence, they can tell you about their experience with them and if you should go ahead and consult other dentists.
Before preparing your mind over selecting a dentist, keep your expectations realistic and prepare for your visit.
Preparing Before a Second Opinion
You should check if your insurance covers the consultation and the treatment from the dentist before going for it.
Plus, do not forget to look into prices. Especially if your insurance does not cover the treatment.
You may not want to go for a costly procedure in comparison with what your previous dentist offered.
You may also want to go to a specialist rather than a general dentist for a second opinion as they can give a clearer perspective on what you require according to your current condition.
Check their credentials and experience before you go for a checkup.
Besides that, keep your expectations realistic. You may need another opinion.
This can happen if both the dentists do not say the same thing or you are not satisfied with the second one either.
While it is not the best option to keep looking for opinions for something as minimal as dental fillings, you may want to do so for implants or root canal treatment.
While you are at the dentist’s office, prepare your questions beforehand to ask them in order to assure yourself if they are the right choice.
These include:
- What are the treatment cost and time?
- How can you treat the problem?
- Can I go untreated?
- What is your perspective on this treatment?
- Are there any alternative treatments?
- What can I do to cope up with the pain?
- What are the risks of the treatment?
- Can I see any long-term benefits after treatment?
- Should I follow up with you or my previous dentist?
- Do you agree with my previous diagnosis?
If your dentist agrees with your previous diagnosis then you can start the treatment right away.
However, the question remains, with which doctor should you get the treatment now?
After Getting a Second Opinion
Once you have consulted the second dentist you can weigh in which one offers better treatment.
Your previous dentist has the advantage of being familiar. You may feel more comfortable with them even if you aren’t sure about their diagnosis.
That said, they may not be giving you the best option. On the other hand, the second doctor can give you more confidence to proceed with the treatment even if the diagnosis is the same.
It is all about trust! If you can trust one dentist with your treatment then naturally you will feel more confident about it.
However, a situation may arise where you would want to go for a third opinion. This is when the diagnosis of the first and second doctors don’t match.
This can result in confusion and you may want to ask a third doctor for their opinion too.
If both the dental practitioners agree, then you do not need a second opinion anymore and can continue with the treatment choosing the doctor you find is more trustworthy and capable.
Whatever choice you make, follow up diligently with the entire procedure. Take care of your health as usual, before and after the procedure ends.
