Two Posterior Fillings Really Necessary?
I saw a dentist who wants to do a posterior resin composite 2s filling on teeth 19 and 20 along the gum line. He also said it might be necessary to do a root canal. I forgot which tooth he thought it might be necessary on but I'm thinking it's number 20. The tooth in the second picture on the far left. It has dark pockets that are almost touching the nerve. He said he wouldn't know if a root canal is necessary until he starts drilling.
There is little to no pain or other symptoms. I scheduled the appointment because of the third picture I posted. It shows the base of tooth number 19 (I think) which looks decayed to me. But he didn't seem too concerned with that tooth to me.
I am wondering how necessary the fillings are and/or exploratory drilling. He is pushing for nitrous oxide and even said he'd cover the nitrous oxide this time to see what I thought of it. That has me concerned because I haven't agreed to a root canal so if I'm under nitrous oxide would they just do the root canal while I'm in lala land? I'm afraid it wouldn't be necessary and he's do it while I wasn't able to talk about it with him. Also, the price of the fillings is quite high so I think they might be throwing the cost of nitrous oxide into the filling cost.
I don't want to drill into my teeth unnecessarily. I just want to know if I should let him drill or if I can put it off and everything will be A-O-K. No pain now.... if I just wait will it start hurting eventually and definitely need a root canal or extraction?
I don't smoke but I do drink a bit.
Thanks :)