All About Dental

[jedamum]

sall:

Just extracted my cracked molar. The first dentist I consulted was very against extraction and said that the tooth could be saved by doing root canal. He even said the molar has long roots and would need to cut the gum in order to extract, so surgery is needed. Luckily I consulted another dentist. He did a simple extraction and told me the tooth is too cracked to be saved. Wonder why the first dentist is so against extraction.

sall,
sometimes dunno which dentist to trust.
the first dentist i went to to get my crowning done, did not share about the 'risk' (loss of bone mass) of doing crowning (i got to know it after my MIL told me what she heard from our relative). then that dentist left the clinic and the clinic shifted elsewhere.
then the second dentist i went to, did not give me any advice on my gum problems - i guess he may not be qualified at all. he seemed very 'distance' and just a 'clean-teeth-and-go' type of small-time dentist. after getting my loose crown re-cemented, not sure if too much force was used cos my neighbouring tooth went misaligned (ok, he did said my gums were weak).
although i am not comfortable having my relative dentist to look at my teeth (you know..the thought of 'seeing' my dentist everytime there is a family gathering..is like...:oops:), it seems like i gonna look for her services soon. cos i heard that, she is very skilled in her field. and considering that we gonna face each other, i guess the duty of care should be of a high standard. but must prepared to pay slightly more than outside (her clinic is in town area and she is quite 'high ranking' in her field ).

[sall]

Hi jedamum,

Crowning can cause loss of bone mass? The crown can get loose too? Maybe it’s a good idea that I didn’t go for crowning. The first dentist didn’t tell me about this. But he told me that after extraction, the surrounding area will ‘collapse’ because of the gap. But the 2nd dentist didn’t say that.
I think if I consult the 3rd dentist, then I’ll hear something else.

[jedamum]

sall:

Hi jedamum,

Crowning can cause loss of bone mass? The crown can get loose too? Maybe it's a good idea that I didn't go for crowning. The first dentist didn't tell me about this. But he told me that after extraction, the surrounding area will 'collapse' because of the gap. But the 2nd dentist didn't say that.
I think if I consult the 3rd dentist, then I'll hear something else.

sall,
sorry for not being clear. i meant crowning as compared to implant. what i was later told was that because i did crowning and neglected the gum issues, loss of bone mass occur (that 'collapse of the gap' is what is happening to me). my MIL told me that while it is expensive, implant may be a better solution together with gums treatment to prevent this loss of bone mass.
the crown can definitely get loose and need yearly maintenance (cleaning etc). my second 'clean-and-go' dentist said that crowning is not recommended for my gums condition because the shifting of my other teeth dislodged my crown. he told me to explore denture, but first got to look for gums specialist.
:sad:

[jedamum]

sall,

when your dentist mentioned \"after extraction, the surrounding area will 'collapse' because of the gap.\" does he mean that the teeth will collapse in, or the gums below the crown will collapse? for me, i heard both; first one from my crown dentist, second one from my relative dentist via MIL (which i believe looks to be happening now. :sad:)
i am quite stress cos mine is front tooth and i am still so young!

[sall]

jedamum, I asked the 1st dentist if it’s ok to extract the molar and just leave a gap there. He said the surrounding teeth will shift about because of the gap and then the gum also collapse. Now after extraction, this 2nd dentist said next time, can consider denture or implant.

[auntieM]

I am one matured adult with missing Upper third molars(right at the back).. ...

For years/decades, dentist and I have been 'waiting'. Luckily it doesn't affect me at all.. ..
Anyone else with the same problem?

[jedamum]

auntieM:

I am one matured adult with missing Upper third molars(right at the back).. ...

For years/decades, dentist and I have been 'waiting'. Luckily it doesn't affect me at all.. ..
Anyone else with the same problem?

you must have very healthy and strong gums.

[auntieM]

jedamum:

auntieM:

I am one matured adult with missing Upper third molars(right at the back).. ...

For years/decades, dentist and I have been 'waiting'. Luckily it doesn't affect me at all.. ..
Anyone else with the same problem?

you must have very healthy and strong gums.

Guess they are just normal.. Save a little Colgate along the way..
Told me DH very easy to identify my skull if I kena :nunchuk: ... ..
:razz:

[auntieM]

My DS's milk tooth fell out couple of days ago and it is still bleeding lightly when he brushes it (kena the gums)..The area is a little red but no swelling and discomfort otherwise..

Just wondering if I should bring him to the dentist..advice appreciated..

[winth]

Just to share alittle and bring about the awareness of dental problems in children:


My 8 year old DS1 is someone with dental problems. At 2, he has a decay on his milk tooth (started as a small spot on his front tooth). By 5-6, his milk teeth started falling off, including his decayed milk tooth. Soon, I realised that his upper deck of teeth seems to be ‘out of place’ and are not inline with his lower deck. Thinking that he needed braces, I started researching and asking around fo the best age for braces. Everyone, including a neighbourhood dentist suggested braces after all permanent teeth appear, which would be early teens.

Everything changed when there was a deep decay on his molar.

So, thinking that it’s a ‘simple’ decay, I quickly booked an appointment with this neighbourhood dentist, expecting the hole to be patched up. (Disclaimer required: we have nothing against this dentist, he’s a nice guy basically… I mean on a personal basis, not professionally though) So this dentist had my child checked, and he started shaking his head in dismay. He told me that the decay is so deep that it has killed its ‘nerves’ and DS1 would need a complicated root canal treatment. To convince me farther, he poked at the decay and asked my son if it hurt. My son nodded his head and so Dr concluded that root canal was the only treatment possible. Confused and angry (with myself for not detecting the decay earlier), I called DH while the nurse was pushing me to make a deposit for the specialist treatment (which was from $600 onwards). DH stopped me immediately, told me to come back and explain further. Being a Type A, I almost screamed at him for not wanting to treat our son, but well… I listened (luckily) and came back to explain the matter.

DH then told me that the diagnosis might be wrong (DH has a vast experience with dentists) and wanted me to go for a more expensive dentist which he goes for. (Definition of expensive: small hole for $60-80 bucks by this exp dentist while the neighbourhood dentist could do it at $35). I made this appointment and waited reluctantly for 1 week. I felt that his decay can’t wait (since it’s so HOPELESSLY deep), and DH was just being difficult.

Trip to the dentist:
Dr: Hey son, sit down pls
DH: Dr, my son has this decay here (DH resisted saying the extent of the decay to see if Dr could do any independent diagnosis)
Dr: Let see, well… quite deep though… should have let him come earlier
Me: (Looking at DH) that’s true…
Dr: Let me fix this (drill, drill, patch patch) OK, we’re done
DH: Thanks!
Fees = S$ 80

And comparing this to potential specialist treatment of at least $600, $80 is nothing!

With this dentist, he soon noticed my son having dis-aligned teeth and was asking if we were doing anything with it. DH told him that we would go for braces but everyone is saying to delay treatment until his adult teeth have fully emerged.

Dr: I’ll refer you to my wife, she specialises in children dental problems

(2 more weeks of wait)

When we finally spoke to her wife, we realised that it is not an issue of crooked teeth DS1 had. The problem was genetic and it was a jaw problem. DS1’s molars (when placed together) will have their upper deck teeth covering 90% of his lower deck teeth, so his incisors could not cut food properly. Without the lower deck to stop the upper deck (the 2 decks completely miss each other), his front teeth keep growing and it soon looked like they are overly big as compared to his lower set of teeth.

To correct this jaw problem, it has to be done immediately, BEFORE his milk teeth dropped completely, when his jaw is still ‘soft and growing’. Because if all adult teeth are out, a surgery would be required if it is to correct a jaw problem.

We spent another S$1200 for this, and now DS1 is on corrective scheme to adjust his lower jaw issue. Everything is going well and my son now wears a corrective wear that ‘forces’ him to tilt his lower jaw a little out. 6-8 months down, his lower jaw teeth should start shifting out.


To parents out there: Do go for a separate diagnosis and sometimes, paying something more might actually save alot.
And for parents who think that their children might need braces, go for a diagnosis (with a professional) to see if it is a jaw issue or simple crooked-teeth problem.

Jaw issue is genetic and if the child has it, usually one of the parents will have that too. It can be identified when u try to put your upper and lower molar together and your front and lower deck are not aligned to match each out.

Hope this little personal experience helps…