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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 28, 2017 - 04:52pm PT
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Spider Savage let me break this down for you....
I've got a decent dentist. Year after year, never finds anything. Just cleans and sends me on my way.
So this kid I know is diagnosed with six cavities to fill. He doesn't have the money and puts it off for 3 or 4 years. I send him to my dentist and nothing! No cavities. Cleans his teeth and sends him on his way.
So, what is the deal? Are fillings optional?
Either:
A: Your dentist isn't properly diagnosing the decay in your friend (and possibly you) and the new guy is right and its time your dentist hangs up his hat.
or
B: Your dentist is right, neither of you have any decay/cavities and the other guy is a snake oil salesman and is illegally over-diagnosing and is just tring to make money.
Diagnosing cavities is SIMPLE. Current x-rays and a visual/tactile exam are all that is needed. This is THE MOST BASIC skill a dentist or hygienist has and utilizes on a daily basis. It ain't rocket science. Get another opinion STAT. What town are you in....maybe I know somebody you can trust.
NO. Fillings are not optional. If you have decay, you need to remove it, patch it up and fix it or it typically spreads, going deeper into the tooth, undermining healthy enamel as it goes. Leave it untreated long enough it can lead to pain, big expensive fillings, root canals, big expensive crowns or eventual tooth loss. Fix it while its small and its usually a couple hundred dollar patch job at most.
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zBrown
Ice climber
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Jun 28, 2017 - 09:01pm PT
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Thanks Scott. The implant # tracks pretty well with San Diego.
I had one not too long ago. The graft like I said, I'd never even heard of,
Have you heard of (or seen a paper on) "anatomical extraction"?
I was having an old bridge "deconstructed" and whole process was smooth as silk.
The surgeon was an ex-engineer and is now retired do I don't know if he ever finished the paper.
Thanks again.
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 29, 2017 - 09:42am PT
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Glad to help zBrown. My pleasure.
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 4, 2017 - 08:45am PT
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Spider Savage.....just checking in. What ever came of that visit? Did things turn out ok?
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Outside the Asylum
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Dec 29, 2018 - 07:58pm PT
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Look! Another ST dental resource. Scott may have competition!
Breaking news: you, too, can now own a long out-of-print copy of the famous book by Dr. Joe McKeown, "Everybody's Tooth Book" (published 1973, Happy Valley Apple Press) for ONLY $83.24 plus shipping. Warning: the listing on Abe Books doesn't do the actual cover justice. Many of the interior illustrations were done by Joel Beck, phenomenal (underground) cartoonist who had to be plied by the author with drinks at The Spot bar in Pt. Richmond to finish the drawings (those were the daze!)—maybe alone worth this steal of a price?! (Full disclosure: a less expensive version, at $5.30, can also be found on eBay—neither are sold by Dr. Quack himself).
Autographs will be available at the next Facelift, for a modest donation to the YCA.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Dec 29, 2018 - 09:10pm PT
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Why aren't teeth a single ridge of enameled bone shaped with the same cutting and grinding surfaces?
Seems it would greatly reduce the incidence of cavities if there were no nooks and crannies between individual structures.
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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Dec 29, 2018 - 09:34pm PT
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^^^ mess with the flossdaddy and you get da drill
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briham89
Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
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Jan 17, 2019 - 01:16pm PT
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Scott you rule! Question about minor to moderate gum recession...how long can you wait before getting a gum graft? Will waiting 6 months or a year cause adverse effects / complications? Mainly wanting to wait for dental insurance to kick in.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Jan 17, 2019 - 03:45pm PT
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cracked a tooth on a frozen Hershey bar (see what happens when you go with cheap chocolate) after a big solo ice day almost 3 years ago now. My dentist wants to do a crown before the root dies. it will be about 2k?? toying with the thought of starting a go fund me. heck I contribute to lots of these for medical expenses but I am still having a hard time pulling the trigger....
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 17, 2019 - 04:08pm PT
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Brian,
No....nothing to get too stressed out about. Gumline recession usually takes years to develop and doesn't usually move too fast. I wouldn't put it off for two years...but waiting several months shouldn't be a problem. The main thing you want to find out before getting it fixed is "Why do I have it?" It's not always just from brushing too hard. Usually it has to do with a clenching grinding habit, acid reflux, aggressive ortho movement as a kid, ect....many factors. Try to have your periodontist get to the bottom of why you have it, that way if they fix it you can protect your investment (wearing a night guard, using a Sonicare, etc....)
BTW, Ask him if he does the Pinhole Surgical Technique. It state of the art and the way to go if you're a candidate. Its how I roll and it is pretty much painless and I don't have to harvest gum tissue off your palate to do the graft. No blade or stitches either. Look into it. Google me or the Pinhole Surgical Technique.
Scott
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 17, 2019 - 04:25pm PT
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Tradman, go get that thing crowned (As long as you have a great dentist, a well done crown can last 15-20 years or more). If there are little micro-fractures and that thing isn't covered and you split it eating a taco, you're probably gonna need the tooth pulled and an implant which is great long term but is gonna put you in the poor house at 4 grand. Do the crown now. Its like having one bald tire and putting it off too long.....one bald tire change vs a whole new set if you dilly dally. Just my two cents. Good luck!
Scott
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jan 17, 2019 - 04:33pm PT
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micro, BITD my dentist hooked me up with nitrous oxide and some nice headphones.
Heck, I almost looked forward to getting drilled on! How come no more nitrous?
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johntp
Trad climber
Little Rock and Loving It
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Jan 17, 2019 - 06:04pm PT
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Good on ya nut for keeping this going.
Reilly, lately kidz have been abusing nitro.
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tooth
Trad climber
B.C.
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Jan 17, 2019 - 09:00pm PT
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But just please don’t ever come complaining to me after you have been to Mexico for dental work. This walked into my office from MX this week.
Scott wouldn’t put implants in this environment but someone did since they knew they would never see this patient again once they flew home after paying cash.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Jan 17, 2019 - 09:58pm PT
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Someone needs a wax job on that upper lip.
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D Murph
climber
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May 22, 2019 - 01:20pm PT
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Scott, tooth,
Went to dentist today and they asked me at the end if I wanted a fluoride foam treatment for $40. I've had a couple cavities in the past so I took it.
What are your thoughts on this? Worth it or not so much? Price reasonable?
Thanks!
Dennis
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