Dental Rant

[moshquerade]

MYF, YGPM

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: preslove
Beth: Hey, what do you call a doctor who fails out of med school?

Jerry: What?

Beth: A dentist. (They laugh)

you anti-dentite!

 

[chr6]

i didnt go to a dentist for 8 years, finally went in, no cavities, simple cleaning. so just keep off the sweets and never go.

 

[jst0ney]

Originally posted by: MercenaryYoureFired

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: ScottyB

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: dullard
Just about anything hard can scrape the tartar off your teeth. Just be careful and take your time. No need for a dentist if that is all you want to do.

What? That's terrible advice. For one, you are only going to get some of the tartar you see above the gumline when subgingival tartar is the most dangerous. Secondly, if you don't know how to use dental tools you'll likely scratch your enamel. Enamel doesn't recover from something like that.

OP, just like an initial doctor's visit you need to have more than "just a cleaning" when you start back up at the dentist. If he/she just cleaned your teeth and sent you on your way and then a month later you had a toothache due to a cavity that was present interproximally you would be bitching about them not finding it when you had your teeth cleaned. They need to take x-rays to do a thorough exam, and also avoid being sued.

They do not need to take x-rays to do a thorough exam, because I do not want them to do an exam. Getting my teeth cleaned without a dental exam is better than doing no cleaning and no exam. I do not have the money to fill a cavity anyway, so there is no reason for them to do an examination.

Legally they cannot just "clean your teeth." Otherwise Hygienists could set up their own shop like Hairdressers can.

I'm assuming you're a dental hygienist, Mosh? You always seem to show up in all the tooth related threads.

If so, I have a quick question for you. I've recently had a molar filled with a composite filling (~4 months ago). I've noticed that sometimes when chewing I will feel pain (sometimes slight, sometimes sharp); almost as if I still have a cavity there. Now I know composite fillings are still relatively new, and cost more, but they're the only kind of fillings my dentist offers. Is something like this normal? I wouldn't think so especially after 4 months of recovery.

I will be going there next month for a 6 month anyway, and luckily, I do have insurance. But I just wanted to get your thoughts.

-MYF

MYF,
There could be a number of things going on. The most common reason for pain after a filling is improper occlusal adjustment when placing the filling. This is common and is very easy to fix. I would ask if this is new or if you noticed it as soon as you became un-numb from the filling. That can tell alot. Another this that can be going on is that there may be some moisture contamination when the filling was placed. Composite fillings aren't all that new, 20+ years, but there are major advances every couple of years. Composite fillings are very technique sensitive and missing a step or being sloppy will make composite fillings fail every time. Any moisture, even from your breath, can cause an improper bond that can be sensitive. Call your dentist and let her/him know and they will get you in as soon as they can (or at least I would). If there is mositure contamination the filling may need to be replaced (at no charge of course). If you want any more info PM me.

As far as requiring xrays with exams, mosh is right, we need these xrays. Its the only way that we can tell if there is any decay on the interproximal surfaces (in between your teeth). We are not trying to fleece you, an exam and xrays is not profitable. My suggestion to the OP would be to do some research and find a good dentist in your area. Most dentist are somewhat techinal savy so I would email the dentist directly if you can and explain your position. I would bet that you can come to a meeting of the minds.

AND BY ALL MEANS DONOT, EVER, EVER CLEAN YOUR TEETH WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. YOU WILL DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD!!!

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: bleeb

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
Dentists are a bunch of scam artists.

/thread

Everyone says that until they need them...

There is no shopping for pricing, so one can only "roll the dice" as to how the perceived value is until after the fact.
Prices for procedures exceeding the allowable amount on a Dentist within a plan means they adjust their prices upwards to milk both the insurance and the customer.
Using recent graduates from Heald requiring multiple X-Rays due to their incompetence ( which they tried and failed to charge me for , too , BTW) doesn't engender any confidence on my part. It makes 1960's Air Force Dentists look damn near futuristic.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: BigSmooth

Originally posted by: yllus
LISA NEEDS BRACES

DENTAL PLAN

LISA NEEDS BRACES

DENTAL PLAN!

*drops pencil into buttcrack*

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: BigSmooth

Originally posted by: yllus
LISA NEEDS BRACES

DENTAL PLAN

LISA NEEDS BRACES

DENTAL PLAN!

LISA NEEDS BRACES

 

[IGBT]

..big rackett all right. every time I go they want to do or redo something. If they know you have insurance they consider you a cash cow.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..big rackett all right. every time I go they want to do or redo something. If they know you have insurance they consider you a cash cow.

i couldn't care less if you have insurance or not. the treatment you need remains the same.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
Dentists are a bunch of scam artists.

/thread

I agree.

 

[jst0ney]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..big rackett all right. every time I go they want to do or redo something. If they know you have insurance they consider you a cash cow.

Quite the opposite really. Insurance only pays for minimal treatment. Rarely do they cover anything preventative or comprehensive.

If you think that fillings last forever then you are either being lied to or are a fool.