Fun at the Dentist

8 Lane Highways under Crowns

2007-01-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

When your dentist tells you that your crown is leaking or is not sealed on the tooth, many people think that if it isn't hurting, it does not need to be fixed. This could not be more false. You must remember that bacteria (which causes cavities) is microscopic, so if there is an opening large enough for the human eye to see, that is like an 8 lane highway for the bacteria to get underneath the crown; which will certainly cause decay, and possibly cause the need for a root canal if left untreated.
So, if it is not hurting, good, but get it fixed before it does!

Second Opinions

2005-09-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

Going to the dentist is similar to taking your car to the auto shop. Many lay people do not know much about cars, and fear that they will be taken advantage of by the mechanic.

Same with the dentist. Many people feel that if it doesn't hurt, there isn't anything wrong. While that could not be more wrong, there are many dentists out there who will take advantage of patients, and recommend more work than is actually needed.

Because of this, it is your right to ask for a second opinion if you are not comfortable with something your dentist recommends. It does not mean that you do not trust him or her, and anyone who gets offended by this request, possibly has something to hide.

There are many cirumstances in which dentists' opinions will vary on recommended treatment. This doesn't mean that one opinion is correct and one is wrong, but dentists are human, so if you want a second opinion, just ASK!

For more informtation, please visit, onedollardentist.com.

The Sqeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

2005-08-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

There are many patients who are very nervouc about going to the dentist. Dental work can be very difficult to tolerate, and all efforts should be made in order to make you comfortable.

There are ways to be sedated prior to dental work being done, or to have nitrous oxide administered, but there are other avenues which you may want to explore.

Some dental offices offer head phones, or even eye glasses that have mini movie screens! HOw would you like to watch a movie, and before you know it, your dental work was done? They may be a little expensive for the dentist, but if enough people ask about such things, eventually your dentist will cave!

Remember (see title)!

Wanna Go to Dental School?

2005-07-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

On one of our sister sites, a person mentioned that she had worked in the dental field for a number of years, wanted to get into dental school, but didn't know where to start.

A couple of suggestions:

Talk to your family dentist
Call the admissions office of your nearest dental school
Check out the websites of dental schools
Check the American Dental Association Website
AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service Website

Things you will need:

Certain course requirements prior to applying
Transcripts from all post high school educational institutions
Letters of Recommendation from professors or other qualified individuals
DAT scores (similar to the SATs, but for entry into dental school)

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us @ info@onedollardentist.com

Dental Advice

2005-06-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

It is always funny when patients come in, convinced that they know what their problem is, because they asked their friend, coworker, or pet!

Just the other day, a patient came in talking about the new toothpaste she bought because a salesperson at the local supermarket told her it would help regrow bone around her teeth!

Asking a non dentist to diagnose your toothache, is like asking the neighborhood butcher to fix the space shuttle!

Cavities = Bacterial Waste??

2005-06-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, CAVITIES are caused by certain strains of bacteria and their waste products. One dentist scraped the plaque off a tooth and half jokingly said,

This is from bacteria pottying all over your teeth!

Sounds gross, but it's essentially true.

Kind of makes you want to go brush your teeth, doesn't it??

In order to reduce your incidence of cavities, filling them may not be enough. If you continue to get cavities, ask your dentist about adjuncts such as chlorhexidine, xylitol, or fluoride.

Chlorhexidine mouth rinse used 1x/day for a week each month can dramatically help!

As for xylitol (a sugar substitute in some gum/candies) and fluoride? The more the better! (except, too much fluoride in children can cause fluorosis, which does not occur in adults)

Can a Child LIKE the Dentist?

2005-05-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

Normally children can be a handful at the dental office. Not always though...

Today we had a 6yo girl come in, who was such a pleasure to treat! Before getting started, I asked her if she was in school; and instead of giving a one word answer like many children her age do, she swung her legs off the chair, faced me, and was talking up a storm! When she was done, she sat back in the chair. I asked her something else, and same thing. She swung her legs over to my side (to face me), and just went on and on!

We got her work done without any problems, and she left happy as a clam. Unbeknownst to her, she made our day with her delightful attitude and personality!

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie!

2005-05-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Some of you may be tempted to have all of your old fillings removed and new tooth colored ones placed.

While most likely your teeth will be fine, anytime a tooth is stressed by dental work, there is a chance that your tooth will have an adverse reaction, and could end up needing a root canal.

I've seen it happen too often, a sound filling or crown gets removed and replaced, then the tooth needs a root canal, and subsequently a crown.

INFORMED CONSENT, IS KEY!

The BEST Way to Reduce Dental Anxiety

2005-04-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Ever hear that?

If you fear the dentist, this could not be MORE RELEVANT!

It is inevitable, that the ones who HATE going to the dentist, have the WORST home care, avoid going, and subsequently need the MOST work.

On the other hand, those who do not fear the dentist, have BETTER home care, GO to the dentist, and subsequently need LESS work.

This is not a which came first, the chicken or the egg scenario.

If you hate doing to the dentist, take impeccable care of your teeth, and you may avoid everything but your routine cleanings!

On the other hand...

Neglect, poor home care, and avoiding the dentist will only INCREASE your anxiety!

Car Maintenance and Your Teeth

2005-04-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

Last week one of my friends was complaining that the brakes on her car needed to be repaired, and that it was going to cost a fortune. She also mentioned that she had been told that she needed to replace the pads (for a fraction of the cost), but she just never got around to doing it. Now the problem was much worse!

Today a 23yo girl came in complaining of a toothache. She said that it had been bothering her for several months, but now had become worse. I looked through her chart, and noticed that she had several cavities noted a few years ago, but that she had no showed on several of her appointments, and then had refused to come in altogether.

The tooth was extracted because the decay had eaten through the tooth.

Like car problems, if you do not get your tooth problems addressed, they will get worse!!!

Did You Extract the Tooth or NOT???

2005-04-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

If you need a front tooth extracted, heaven forbid you walk out of there with a space, right?? What, you want me to wear a flipper (a removable retainer with one or more denture teeth on it)?? You have GOT to be kidding!

There is a way to have it extracted, AND, to have it replaced before you even leave the dental office!!

HOW???

This cannot be done in all situations, but sometimes, the tooth can be extracted, the root can be sectioned off, and the top of the tooth (the visible part) can be bonded (with or without a wire) to the two adjacent teeth! This is usually done on a temporary basis, but can last longer than you think!

In any case, it is probably MUCH more comfortable than a flipper! Or, walking out of there looking like a derelict...

Wear those Retainers!

2005-04-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

Probably every week, a new patient comes in for their initial exam, and in the little box that asks, "Have you had orthodontic treatment before?", they check, "Yes".

Then when you look in their mouth, their teeth are all crooked, overlapped, their bite is off, and you would never guess that they have had braces.

What happened?

They do not wear their retainers! Braces can straighten your teeth, but if you do not wear your retainer, they will move back to how they were. Maybe not all the way, but enough to be noticible.

You paid thousands of dollars to get braces; not wearing your retainers is like buying a car, but never washing it or changing the oil.

How long do you think a car would last like that???

Painless Parker!

2005-03-30T22:43:00.000-08:00

Today, an 83 year old woman came in for a routine filling. After I anesthetized her, I sat her up, and,

She said, "y'know, I once knew a doctor named 'Painless Parker'..."

To which I replied, "That's an interesting name..."

She replied, "Yes, it is; but I think I'll just call you Dr. Parker", as she laughed and laughed!

She is a delightful woman, at 83, and went on about how she had an audition tomorrow. For what, you ask? To be in an exercise video!

"Old women exercising!", she said as she ran in place with a HUGE smile!