I am pretty much in the same spot, but mine was from a Navy dentist. They check your teeth and want to fix you up before sending you to sea. The examine, you and return later for the work. Go back and he is looking, well, there is nothing wrong with that tooth. I am ready to split, and he says lets look around some more. I say hold on a second, nothing wrong, nothing to fix. He lied and told me if I refused care then, I could never see a dentist again in the USN.

I am absolutely certain he drilled a couple of good teeth down the center so he could get some practice. Filling failed 20 years later, one side and then the other, leaving me to get a few crowns. Only time I ever had a dentist tell me I had a cavity was that guy, that day, so I am saying he was FOS.

Genetics counts for a heck of a lot.

LOL...I was a US Navy dentist for 10 years. There's plenty of good dentistry that gets done there...and plenty of bad.

Just like what occurs in private practice unfortunately. :rolleyes:

Had my four Wisdom teeth pulled on a Navy ship in the Sea of Japan 45 years ago, man did I feel like crap for the next few days, between the teeth and sea sickness....

I was a general dentist on a Navy ship for 2 years in 2002-2004, this was before I went back to become a periodontist. I remember wedging my feet against the cabinet and the bulkhead to keep myself steady while working. Or having to quit procedures due to rough seas. We actually had a pretty good department, three dentists, 4-5 assistants, 2 hygienists and 2 lab techs. We also had pretty nice equipment. Probably light years better than what they had in prior decades, Vietnam era, etc. Good times...seems like a lifetime ago now.

In rough seas we used to try and get the Jarheads to look at an orange inside of a box. Every little movement of the ship is evident, after a few minutes they would be hugging a commode.

I was USMC, Not saying they didn't do a good job, they got them out. I just remember feeling terrible after that. IIRC it was a Navy LST. There was A Dentist with one chair, I don't remember any support staff.

Yes the amphibious ships have very sparse dental clinics. Much less than Navy warships.

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One of my cycling friends is a top dentist in the area. She said that baby boomers that had cavities are at higher risk for crowns because the procedures in the 50-70's were far more aggressive than today.

Yes back in the days before widespread fluoride use the mantra when cutting cavity preps was called "Extension for prevention". Google GV Black, the father of modern dentistry.

Also back in those days a set of dentures was your 21st birthday present. :D

I got my wisdom teeth pulled for free. In 1980, my neighbor was the type of dentist that rebuilt peoples' faces, jaws, & teeth after injuries - like being kicked in the jaw by a horse. My top wisdom teeth were the only ones that ever came in & came in at an angle against the teeth in front. I described it to him once saying I'd eventually have to have them removed. Some time later the engine in his wife's Z car blew up. He told me he'd pull my wisdom teeth if I helped him replace the blown engine with a good used one.

Time to go full titanium.
https://regmedia.co.uk/2012/09/10/ri...8&y=348&crop=1

Meth will do that to ya.....

My wife is an oral surgical assistant for the largest practice in the Northern Va area. They also perform facial / jaw reconstruction, The stories she comes home with.......................eeww. I believe there is less gore in human forensics......

My ex-wife was an MT, the 4 year degree person who runs the hospital labs. She had a lot of good stories herself, but she bought a book with the truly extreme ER stories.

One in the book as a doctor who was examining a bum/meth/crack addict. He was out cold while the examine went on. His teeth had worn down to little sticks in his mouth. He touched the teeth and they all wiggled. He pulled on one, and the tooth just slid out. He kep doing this and basically, they all came out.

Never done drugs but am looking for a new hobby.

He taps the bone and doesn't put a threaded insert in? Wow. I'm going to go floss right now

I am guessing that your plan is to get things squared up before retirement. I know you have been talking about that. Tooth work is never fun. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Did they do a bone graft ?

I'm dual covered & have still spent north of $20K in the last 4 years. First was braces, then all new crowns up top followed by the bottoms the following year. It was weird for that year having nice upper teeth & ground down nubs on the bottom. My teeth were in really bad shape & I wanted everything uniform in tint.

Unfortunately, I'm not done yet. I saw a oral surgeon last week due to a failed attempt at a implant last year. He can fix it, but not till August when I'm fully healed. I can also opt for another bridge. I clearly remember the dentist drilling into my skull though I was heavily sedated. Surgeon said he would knock me out. I'm leaning toward the bridge, I'll consult my dentist next week. When I opened my mouth for the surgeon, he said "I bet your dentist reserves you a parking spot". No regrets, having a great smile is worth it on many levels.:D

Your bill will tell you...

Phase 1

- Exam/referral: $250

- Complex Extraction: $300

- Bone Graft: $600

Phase 2

- Implant Post: $1900

Phase 3

- Temp: $500

- Permanent Porcelain Cap: $1200

Total

- $4750 Can ($3550 US)