The Second Opinion
9 June 2026
One of the things patients sometimes say slightly apologetically is:
“I hope you don’t mind me getting a second opinion.”
The truth is that we never do. In fact, for certain decisions, we think it can be a very sensible thing to do. Most people would not buy a house, undergo surgery or make a significant financial decision without taking time to understand their options properly. Why should dentistry be any different (because you also need to consider dental treatment fees)?
Why Patients Seek Second Opinions
Patients seek second opinions for many different reasons. Sometimes they have been told they need extensive dental treatment and simply want reassurance that they have understood everything correctly. Sometimes they have been presented with more than one option and are unsure which path feels right. Occasionally they are struggling to reconcile two very different recommendations. And sometimes, if we are honest, they simply need confidence. Not because they distrust their dentist. But because important decisions deserve careful thought.
A Second Opinion Is Not a Competition
One of the biggest misconceptions about second opinions is that they are somehow a contest between clinicians. In reality, that is rarely how good dentistry works. Most dentists are trying to achieve the same thing: a healthy, functional and maintainable result for the patient. Differences in recommendations do not automatically mean somebody is wrong. Dentistry often involves judgement as well as science. Two experienced clinicians may approach the same situation slightly differently. The important thing is understanding the reasoning behind the recommendation.
Sometimes the Second Opinion Confirms the First
Patients are occasionally surprised when a second opinion arrives at exactly the same conclusion. Yet this can be one of the most valuable outcomes. Confidence matters. If two independent clinicians reach a similar recommendation, patients often feel much more comfortable moving forward. A second opinion has still served an important purpose. It has provided reassurance.
Sometimes It Changes the Conversation
There are also occasions when a second opinion introduces alternatives that had not previously been discussed. Perhaps a tooth that was thought to be hopeless may have another option. Perhaps a more conservative approach exists. Perhaps treatment can be phased differently. This does not necessarily mean the original recommendation was wrong. It simply reflects the fact that dentistry is rarely one-dimensional. Sometimes there is more than one reasonable way forward.
The Question We Always Return To
When reviewing a case, we are not trying to prove another clinician wrong. We are trying to answer a much simpler question:
“If this were our own tooth, our own mouth or a member of our family, what would we do?”
That question often helps cut through complexity surprisingly quickly. Because treatment planning should never be about defending a position. It should be about helping patients make the best decision possible with the information available.
Good Dentistry Should Welcome Questions
Over the years, we have become increasingly convinced that informed patients make better decisions. Questions are not a problem. Uncertainty is not a problem. Taking time to think is not a problem. In fact, these are often signs that somebody is taking their health seriously. The best treatment decisions are rarely made under pressure. They are usually made when patients feel informed, comfortable and confident about the path they have chosen.
Clarity Matters
One of the most valuable things a second opinion can provide is clarity. Not necessarily a different answer. But a clearer understanding of the answer. Patients do not always need more information. Sometimes they simply need greater confidence in the information they already have.
At Implant & Perio Clinic in Marylebone, near Harley Street, we believe that patients should feel comfortable asking questions, exploring options and taking the time they need to make informed decisions. Whether a second opinion confirms the original recommendation or introduces a different perspective, the goal remains the same: helping patients understand their choices and move forward with confidence.
About the Authors
Dr Sanaz Tehrani, DDS (Germany), and Dr Pedram Negahban DDS (Germany), DipImpDent RCS (Eng.), AssocFCGDent, are the Clinical Directors of Implant & Perio Clinic in Marylebone, Central London.
They share a simple belief: patients make the best decisions when they feel informed, listened to and under no pressure to proceed before they are ready.
Implant & Perio Clinic is located at Implant & Perio Clinic, Portland Place, Marylebone, near Harley Street, London W1.
