If it were one dentist I would be suspicious. The case here involves 3 different dental practitioners (orthodontist, oral surgeon, and general dentist) each concentrating on different dental issues. To do their jobs properly, x-rays are sometimes necessary.
Removing 3rd molars is tricky business due to the proximity to nerves and sinuses. Everyone's anatomy is not exactly the same so x-rays may detect anomalies of significance to the procedure. Would you want to risk paralysis or loss of feeling because you didn't want an x-ray?
How would you suggest a dentist check for decay on tooth surfaces that abut one another? Maybe they can pull the tooth and examine it then put it back? What could go wrong? Maybe they shouldn't bother checking and just let the tooth decay to the point of needing a root canal and crown. You want to talk about padding the bill, that's serious money.
The notion that a dentist is driving a nice car because they are ripping people off is not valid. They drive nice cars because they went to school for a minimum of 8 years after high school, took out massive loans, took on risk of opening their own business, provide a valuable service, etc.
As with anything, there can be scumbags who look to screw people. My experience however is that most of the people I've worked with are honest people who enjoy helping people in need. It is very rewarding when you contribute to improving people's health. I had a woman hug me the other day after I had to dig pretty deep cleaning her teeth. She said she felt good and that nobody ever worked that hard for her. That my friends is why I do it.
