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Science Forum Index » Medicine - Dentistry Forum » Cavities or no cavities ?...
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| john... |
 Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:56 pm |
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Guest
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How is a cavity officially diagnosed ? At one time in my life I didnt see a
dentist for 5 years...I kept my teeth in good shape...stayed away from sugar
as much as I could... So I went to the dentist (after 5 years) and he said
I have no cavaties...everything looks fine.
Another 5 years has passed....I went to another dentist this time..and he
says I have 14 cavaties. My teeth feel healthy and strong.
So how can we tell for sure if their right or not ? |
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| Steven Fawks... |
| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:22 pm |
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Guest
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"You" can never know for sure.
Some dentists diagnose cavities with the old fashioned 'explorer
stick'. These dentist may let cavities get larger than they should
be before treating them and allow excessive damage to occur.
Some dentists diagnose cavities according to their production needs
and do not care about the patients or consequences of the treatment.
You get work done on teeth that are fine and lose a lot of money.
Some dentists are using magnification (or even a diagnodent) to
come to a very logical, caring decision on whether to treat or not
to treat. Treatment is based on the best opinion of current damage
and likely prognosis for the future.
Dentists of the last category are seldom on your 'plan' list.
;-(
Steve
john wrote:
Quote: How is a cavity officially diagnosed ? At one time in my life I didnt
see a dentist for 5 years...I kept my teeth in good shape...stayed away
from sugar as much as I could... So I went to the dentist (after 5
years) and he said I have no cavaties...everything looks fine.
Another 5 years has passed....I went to another dentist this time..and
he says I have 14 cavaties. My teeth feel healthy and strong.
So how can we tell for sure if their right or not ? |
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| ... |
| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:13 pm |
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Guest
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Well stated and described.
There is that thing called 'clinical judgment' that is a
factor in the last scenario. And yes we don't join
those 'bait & switch' plans.
On Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:22:16 -0500, Steven Fawks
<tuthjockey at (no spam) myturbonet.com> wrote:
Quote:
"You" can never know for sure.
Some dentists diagnose cavities with the old fashioned 'explorer
stick'. These dentist may let cavities get larger than they should
be before treating them and allow excessive damage to occur.
Some dentists diagnose cavities according to their production needs
and do not care about the patients or consequences of the treatment.
You get work done on teeth that are fine and lose a lot of money.
Some dentists are using magnification (or even a diagnodent) to
come to a very logical, caring decision on whether to treat or not
to treat. Treatment is based on the best opinion of current damage
and likely prognosis for the future.
Dentists of the last category are seldom on your 'plan' list.
;-(
Steve
john wrote:
How is a cavity officially diagnosed ? At one time in my life I didnt
see a dentist for 5 years...I kept my teeth in good shape...stayed away
from sugar as much as I could... So I went to the dentist (after 5
years) and he said I have no cavaties...everything looks fine.
Another 5 years has passed....I went to another dentist this time..and
he says I have 14 cavaties. My teeth feel healthy and strong.
So how can we tell for sure if their right or not ? |
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| Bill... |
| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:56 pm |
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Guest
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On Jun 26, 12:56 pm, "john" <john111111_2654spammen... at (no spam) yahoo.com>
wrote:
Quote: How is a cavity officially diagnosed ? At one time in my life I didnt see a
dentist for 5 years...I kept my teeth in good shape...stayed away from sugar
as much as I could... So I went to the dentist (after 5 years) and he said
I have no cavaties...everything looks fine.
Another 5 years has passed....I went to another dentist this time..and he
says I have 14 cavaties. My teeth feel healthy and strong.
So how can we tell for sure if their right or not ?
You're in a tough position. We dentists here on the internet can't
diagnose you without a personal exam, so the advice we give has to be
very general.
Before committing to 14 restorations, I'd get a second opinion. And
maybe a third.
You need a dentist with a conservative reputation, as opposed to a
dentist who advertises heavily that he can "design your smile."
You're interested in preserving your teeth and your health, not in
sacrificing tooth structure unnecessarily.
Just as there are some dentists who may let cavities grow too large
before they will bother to restore them, there are also some dentists
who will place restorations on teeth that don't really need them.
The reputation of the dentist from long-time patients would be a good
place to start. Good luck.
- dentaldoc |
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