Dealing with Dentists

[Cognisant]

I've got two teeth that are clearly beyond saving and need to come out but I've been putting off going back to the dentist for a while because I think he's trying to rob me, he thinks there's a couple other teeth that need to go and my wisdom teeth as well and to make it as painful as possible (metaphorically and literally) he wants to do this over half a dozen fucking sessions over a couple of months.

So I have no desire to deal with dentists, but a couple of badly decayed teeth one of which I'm starting to get worried about because the decay has partially reached gum level, but I'm still not in pain, certainly not enough pain to want to deal that bloody dentist.

I was born at seven months and the docs had to pump my mother full of steroids to make my lungs grow, it worked obviously but apparently a side effect is that I have weak teeth and when I was little some doctors said that I'll have problems with my teeth thoughout my life. On this matter I CANNOT get a straight answer from a dentist, that last guy was damn sure he wanted to take damn near half my teeth out (I'm being dramatic) but if I'm going to have problems with all of them why can't I just save myself the trouble and get the whole lot knocked out at once and replaced with a 3D printed titanium set? A little surgey, they drill it into my jawbone, all done.

 

[Architect]

That stinks, sorry to hear your troubles. I hate dental work (who likes it?) and work really hard to keep what I've got (all mine with some crowns).

Is there a question? Are you wondering whether to have them all out in one go or over time? One advantage to waiting is that as time goes on dental technology gets better and better. If you can keep them going then by the time you're older we will probably have the ability to grow new ones. If you do implants, where they screw a titanium post into your jaw, that might complicate the issue.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Duxwing]

I'm sorry to hear your troubles, too. Like Architect said, the future might bring hope.

-Duxwing

 

[Cognisant]

Good grief I'm not dying, it's just molars I'm talking about and I've already had one removed, you get used to the absence surprisingly quickly, it's just the hassle of getting them removed that's the problem.

Is there a question? Are you wondering whether to have them all out in one go or over time?

I'm wondering if that's an option, because that's what I'd like to do.

Getting implants dosen't concern me in the slightest, quite the opposite in fact, but when I talk to the dentist I don't feel like I have any control, they just tell me what they want to do and I either let them or I don't, and I see absolutely no reason why two teeth can't be done at the same time.

I suppose my heart history dosen't help, my mother had a hole in her heart and I had palpitations as a child so the general dentist wants to refer me onto the specialist but it's the specialist that keeps trying to screw me over, he's adamant that I need my wisdom teeth taken out but until they start hurting I'm quite happy to leave them be.

 

[Polaris]

It's impossible to comment without seeing your x-rays. And by that, I mean a full OPG (Orthopantomogram).

You don't have to be in pain to have a serious dental problem. Ask your dentist to show you the OPG and explain exactly why s(he) is recommending the procedures you are talking about.

I have worked with over 20 different dentist over a 13 year period, I would probably trust three of them to touch my teeth. Australian dentistry is pretty much left to it's own devices, there is no way to monitor who is doing great dentistry and who is dodgy. I worked for a dodgy dentist in one of the most expensive surgeries in the city. He was "highly recommended", but the dentistry I had to cover up for was scary. He coerced the wealthy lady to have her teeth straightened for a neat sum of money, sent her to see me and I subsequently found that he hadn't taken x-rays to check her bone structure. Her teeth were literally unsupported by any jawbone; just hanging by the gum.

It was an interesting situation to have to explain to the patient.

I would always get a second opinion, but your dentist may very well be correct.

 

[BigApplePi]

Everyone is different. I had three wisdom teeth pulled as a kid. Didn't need them or so they said. One left. I don't miss them.

A few months ago an xray found a tooth was cracked and couldn't be saved. The dentist send me to a specialist who offered me a choice: a bridge or an implant. I didn't want a bridge as there are disadvantages. He did an implant and a post. That's where I stand right now. The titanium crown will be put in by my regular dentist. It would be done right now but I forgot the appointment. I think it will be great when done but is very expensive. That's just for one tooth. Questions?

 

[Cavallier]

I'm with Polaris. Without a full OPG it is difficult to know for sure what you need done. Getting a second opinion is important. Go to a different dentist completely unaffiliated with your current dentist and provide him with your OPG. Then explain that you are looking for a second opinion. It is much more likely he or she will be direct and honest since they won't be doing the work.

Second, lack of pain means nothing. You can easily have infection in your jawbone which untreated can leak infection into your blood stream. This sort of thing happens all the time. I myself have been hospitalized for it. I was told if I had waited another 6 to 12 hours I could have died.

Having said that, I totally understand your desire to pull out all your teeth and getting implants. However, with your teeth and roots gone there ceases to be blood flow to the bone in that area which leads to bone loss and a whole host of new problems.

Dental work is the worst. I feel your pain. I had my first root canal at 8. I have since had 12 more. I've currently got 16 crowns and two veneers. I've had two oral surgeries I had to be awake for. Let me tell you now, when they cut you open it smells just like a butcher shop complete with blood and bleach. It is surreal. They don't tell you this but it is bleach they use to dissolve the residual tissue in the tooth cavity. They call it Sodium Hypochlorite of course instead of bleach. When they scrape the infection out it smells like something died in your mouth.

I think dentistry is still stuck in the dark ages.

 

[Cavallier]

Getting implants dosen't concern me in the slightest, quite the opposite in fact, but when I talk to the dentist I don't feel like I have any control, they just tell me what they want to do and I either let them or I don't, and I see absolutely no reason why two teeth can't be done at the same time.

You're just having them straight up pulled out...

Okay that's a different kettle of fish. If that is the case they can definitely have them done at the same time. Are they on the same side? Both top or bottom on the same side? Having one tooth out is one thing. Having two teeth on opposite sides out sucks especially if they are molars. I've spent far to much of my life doing all my chewing with my front teeth to advise missing multiple teeth on someone at the same time.

 

[Cognisant]

Both on the same side, one top, one bottom, but not directly in line.

I've had one tooth pulled already and it wasn't all that bad, sure getting needles in the mouth is no fun but it only stings a little and from then on it's painless, I was prescribed painkillers but I don't think I needed them, it all healed up in three days, the worst bit was the dissolving stitches which don't just dissolve all at once.

 

[Cavallier]

Yeah, pulled teeth are relatively easy to deal with. I never use the Vicodin they give me for it. No point really.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

Man up dude and do it yourself.

 

[BigApplePi]

Yeah, pulled teeth are relatively easy to deal with. I never use the Vicodin they give me for it. No point really.

Indeed. I just put them under my pillow and come morn if I'm lucky get a prize.

 

[Cavallier]

Man up dude and do it yourself.

My first thought in seeing that was, "WTF are they doing that inside?".

 

[BigApplePi]

My first thought in seeing that was, "WTF are they doing that inside?".

You are correct. Dental work is to be done inside. This is not the best way in the opinion of many but Inappropriate Behavior allows for this possibility.

 

[Vict]

Get a second, third, fourth, and fifth opinion.