I have a question about my dentist that I hope someone in this group
can assist me with.

I never had a cavity throughout my entire childhood or adolescence,
though my childhood dentist was always aware that my teeth have always
had very deep "pits" in them--not cavities, just deep pits, which he
knew based on my parents' and my siblings' teeth, were normal for me.
I did, however, have a class III malocclusion which was treated
successfully with braces and surgery while I was in high school.  The
braces were taken off just before I started college, and their only
side effect was some decalcification of certain teeth.

The first time I ever needed any sort of fillings for any cavities at
all was approximately 4 years later, when my longtime dentist (the same
one I'd had since childhood) retired; the guy who took over for him
decided, based on my x-rays, that I needed 5 fillings, which I
grudgingly got because I was moving to New York and didn't have any
time to waste.

Six months later when I was due for a cleaning, I went to a new dentist
here in New York based on a co-worker's recommendation.  She told me
that I needed ANOTHER 5 fillings, which included the replacement of at
least 1 of those original 5.

Fast forward to maybe 2 years later.  I've been going to the same
dentist routinely, getting cleanings and exams every 6 months.  At my
last appointment, the dentist told me that everything looked good.
However, Monday she told me that not only do I need 3 MORE fillings,
but that there are 4 additional "trouble" spots that she thinks COULD
develop into cavities, and prescribed a high-fluoride toothpaste.

My question:  How likely is it, based on the fact that I had such a
clean dental history for so long, that I'm being hustled?  Am I
justified in seeking out a second opinion?  From my understanding,
cavities do not develop this rapidly--is it even scientifically
possible that I could have developed 3 full cavities in six months?
And finally, should I make the dentist aware that I've always had deep
pits that aren't necessarily "sticky" that would be better served by
just being watched, instead of letting them reach for the drill right
away?

Thanks for your help.  As I don't have any dental insurance, my wallet
thanks you too.

Ryan Eanes
rseanes@gmail.com