What should I bring to a second opinion?

• X-rays, with the dates they were taken. Recent ones are most useful.
• The written treatment plan, with tooth numbers and codes. You can look up a code here first.
• Gum pocket measurements, if the plan includes a deep cleaning. See What do my gum pocket numbers mean?
• Photos or scans the office took, if any.
• Your health history: medications, health conditions, and allergies.
• Your insurance card, and any insurance paperwork, such as a predetermination.

Write them down before you go. It helps to note what the first dentist recommended and the reason they gave, so you can ask about the same teeth. The "Questions to ask" on each treatment page here make a good starting list.

• Ask to see it. "Can you show me on the X-ray what you see on this tooth?"
• Ask about each item. Would they recommend the same thing? If not, why not?
• Ask what's urgent and what can safely wait.
• Keep the focus on your teeth, not on the first dentist. The ADA's code asks dentists to share differences of opinion without unfairly suggesting the first dentist did something wrong. Most disagreements are honest differences, not mistakes.
• Take notes, or bring someone along. It's easy to forget details once you leave the chair.
• Ask for their findings in writing, so you can compare later.