1. Is that true?
My inlay that had cost a fortune came out after only 3 years. Yes, bad work! I got screwed!

2. Can you absolutely know that it is true?
I really do believe so. Well, I can’t remember exactly what they had promised but I do remember what the dentist said about their track record. They had done x amount of inlays and tiny x amount came back or something. Ok, I don’t remember exactly. I don’t remember whether they were actually promising me 10 year with a 100 %. Ok, I can’t know absolutely that they did a bad job. But boy, a big part of me does believe it!

3. How do you react when you believe this thought?
I feel screwed. I see myself as a victim. Someone worth less. They did well with all the other people, so they must have cared less about me. Yeah, I tell myself that they didn’t respect me or that weren’t worried that I would come back and fight or sue or badmouth them. I mentally attack the dentist. My mind goes to all the times dental work was bad and how much bad luck I’ve had with dental work. I see all the money I’ve invested so far and it’s never paid off.

4. Who would you be without that thought?
I wouldn’t take it so personal. Oh boy! What a difference. Yeah, I wouldn’t make it about me and attach all this meanting to it. It’d be a tooth that needs work. I would admit that I haven’t spent any money on my teeth for a few years, that I have put off necessary dental work for a long time without any major consequences!! Wow, what a difference not taking it personal. I feel a lot better.

Turnarounds
They didn’t do a bad job/ They did a bad job.
How can I KNOW what job they did and whether/what other factors influence die longivity and quality of the inlay? Eating, chewing, grinding in sleep, tooth quality, etc.

I did a bad job.
Could be just as true. By eating too hard stuff when this inlay is from ceramic. By insisting on ceramic than accepting the more durable and longer lasting gold filling. By eating that hard candy that pulled out the inlay.