Visits to the Dentist

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ Are you saying that the abcess is still active? Should I be concerned..even though there is no swelling or discharge after three years?
Thanks for any replies.

Can't say for sure without seeing you. They don't go away on their own generally. Like I said worth seeing your DDS to evaluate. Might be nothing.

[stevej37]

I have cleaning and yearly x-rays scheduled for next month.
I'll post it if they find anything. Thanks

[roccod]

I just had my biannual teeth cleaning done (found decent dentistry through these reviewed https://affordable-dentures.pissedconsumer.com/review.html). I do not enjoy going to the dentist for any reason! I guess I was traumatized as a kid because I had countless cavities that required many fillings and extractions.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I have cleaning and yearly x-rays scheduled for next month.
I'll post it if they find anything. Thanks

Had the cleaning and x-rays done. Dentist looked the pics over and only said "We'll keep an eye on that area"
Sounds good to me.

[RNajarian]

The discussion of the dentist vs. the hygienist cleaning your teeth in this thread is an old topic.

I had a private practice for 15 years and now teach full time at a dental hygiene school. I can assure you, dentists leave school with AT LEAST the same proficiency of cleaning the teeth as the hygienists do. However, we are also equipped to diagnose and treat periodontal disease, as well as (legally) order x-rays and prescribe medications.

Many dentists enjoy providing quadrant scaling themselves and incorporate that as part of their practice. To generalize one provider is better at hand scaling (cleaning) than the other is unfair.

Consider the economics. If you block off one hour for quadrant (8 teeth) scaling, the UCR (Usual Customary Rate-fee) is $300. Depending on your zip code it could be more or less (Beverly Hills more, Inglewood less.) If you block off one hour for a crown the UCR is $1,200.

So often economics often decides who cleans your teeth. The doctor in a busy practice is more efficient if the hygienist cleans the teeth while the dentist does the high value production.

In fact, most dentists can do two crowns in the time it takes to properly clean one quadrant.

I’m sure our other resident dentists would agree.

[vash]

i definitely had a pause in services due to the Covid thing. but it started up again eventually. my dentist called to check up on me because i was having issues. once the county opened up, i cinched up my masked and went to an appointment he put up for me.

i actually had an implant installed. it was nerve-racking for everyone i'm sure. but i got by unscathed.

now i still do my 6- month thing as it sits.

[RNajarian]

Have we had a Vash dentist themed question yet? If not, we are overdue.