If you have a small cavity and a dentist suggests a filling, you probably wouldn’t hesitate to go through with the procedure. However, if you visit a new dentist in Melbourne and he or she suggests several invasive, expensive procedures, you’re right to question this recommendation.
If the proposed treatment plan leaves you feeling uneasy, you should never feel bad about seeking a second opinion. A good dentist would never take offense at your desire to make an informed decision by seeking the advice of another professional.
When Is a Second Opinion a Good Idea?
When Is a Second Opinion a Good Idea? In some cases, you may just have a gut feeling that the suggested treatment is unnecessary or overzealous, and you should always follow those instincts.
Other reasons to consider a second opinion include the following:
The treatment seems excessive for the type of problem you have.
The dentist’s previous dental work has not successfully corrected the issue.
You have oral cancer or another serious problem.
The costs of the proposed treatments seem unnecessarily high.
You do not feel that the dentist is qualified to perform your treatment.
The dentist is evasive when you ask questions about your condition or alternative treatment options.
The dentist is hostile when you talk about obtaining a second opinion.
Why Would a Dentist Suggest Overzealous Treatments?
It’s a sad fact that some dentists overtreat patients for monetary gain. However, most dentists have their reasons for suggesting certain procedures over others. This may have to do with what they learned in dental school, their underlying philosophies on dental care or what they have experienced with patients over the years.
Some dentists simply believe in treating problems aggressively, while others prefer a more conservative approach. Neither approach is right or wrong—it’s simply a matter of what you feel more comfortable with as the patient. You may not even know you prefer one approach over the other until you see a different Toorak dentist and learn about all available dental treatment options for your condition.
Dental Consultation in Melbourne
At Simply Smiles Dental, we are committed to educating our patients about their oral health and the pros and cons of all appropriate dental treatments. Your trusted Toorak dentist here at Simply Smiles Dental wants you to choose what works for you without any pressure.
Call us today on (03) 9826 2220 or book your appointment online.
We are Medibank members choice dentist and Hcf members choice dentist.
(We are located in the Toorak Village, in the heart of Toorak and serve patients from Toorak, South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Southbank, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Malvern, Albert Park, Melbourne CBD, and from all Melbourne metro areas.)