Totally see where you're coming from, and I'm glad the second opinion worked out for you. But honestly, sometimes sticking with the same dentist or orthodontist can have its perks too. I've been going to the same ortho for a couple years now, and there've definitely been times when things didn't feel quite right after adjustments. Instead of switching, I just kept communicating openly about what felt off, and eventually we got it sorted. It took patience (and yeah, a bit of frustration), but I think building that long-term relationship helped him understand my teeth better over time.
Not saying a fresh perspective isn't valuable—clearly it was for you—but sometimes giving your current provider another chance or two can pay off in the end. Guess it depends on your comfort level and how much trust you've built up already. Either way, advocating for yourself is key...no one knows your mouth better than you do.
"Either way, advocating for yourself is key...no one knows your mouth better than you do."
Couldn't agree more with this. I stuck with my dentist through some tricky fillings, and now he knows exactly how sensitive my teeth get afterward. Curious though, how often do you all typically go back for follow-ups after major dental work?
I usually just go back if something feels off or if the dentist specifically asks me to. After my root canal, I went in once for a quick check-up because it felt kinda weird chewing on that side. Turned out everything was fine, and I probably could've saved myself the copay, haha. But yeah, unless there's pain or discomfort, I tend to wait until my next regular cleaning—gotta keep an eye on that budget, you know?
"Turned out everything was fine, and I probably could've saved myself the copay, haha."
Haha, totally relate to that feeling! I remember after getting my braces off, I kept thinking something felt off with my bite. Went back like twice in the first month because I was convinced something shifted or wasn't quite right. Both times, my orthodontist patiently checked everything and reassured me it was just my mouth getting used to the new alignment. Felt a bit silly afterward, but hey, peace of mind is worth something too, right?
These days, I'm kinda like you—unless there's noticeable discomfort or something obviously wrong, I try to wait until my next scheduled appointment. But sometimes it's hard not to second-guess things...like, is this normal? Should I be worried? Dental anxiety is real, haha. Glad your root canal turned out fine though!
I get the anxiety, but honestly, better safe than sorry. I ignored a weird feeling after a filling once, thinking it was just me being paranoid...ended up needing more work later. Trust your gut, even if it costs a bit extra sometimes.
