A
Amoreyna
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2011
- Messages
- 162
- Location
- The Rainy Pacific NW
Brit's very right, decay and infection can show up on x-ray's as shadows, but not always. To be honest I had a horrid infection and no shadows somehow - pretty ironic really. But on physical examine there was evidence of an infection and an abscess, along with my presenting symptoms at the ER (facial swelling and pain above affected tooth, pain in mouth, fever etc). I had an active infection, but chronic infections can still be seen in the mouth a lot of times due to the presence of the abscess.
I also learned that long term infection can cause some bone loss. Perhaps this is what you're dentist is seeing, with or without shadows, that's making him suspect infection. Bone loss sounds scary but it doesn't have to be very much at all, it's just a sign that something isn't right in the area.
I remember you saying this was a deep cleaning and not just a general cleaning. Deep cleaning to me means periodontal (gum) - is that correct in your case? I can see this in terms of infection if they think it's there but at the same time, at least over here in the US as it was explained to me - antibiotics are used to treat the infection while the tooth itself undergoes treatment. If that does not work then they move onto deep cleaning. I can't speak with a lot of insight on this one as I don't personally have gum issues and I was told that exceptions to that rule may be pockets in the gums or pre-existing gum disease. Again, check with your provider if you have questions as to why you're having that kind of cleaning instead of a full general cleaning, treatment with antibiotics and treatment of infected tooth.
I also think Brit is right that this is a general dentist that does some endo. Which of course doesn't mean they are bad or unqualified. There are general dentists who go through training and continuing education to be able to offer these services to their patients. It might be worth it to you to see what he is.
While their office looks snazy, at the same time if this wasn't the type of dentist you actually wanted to see then I would go see the specialist you actually wanted. Don't worry about hurt feelings of the office or anything, just tell them you thought you were seeing a different type of doctor then what happened and hold nothing against them.
Sometimes teeth cannot be saved and a good dentist weighs the long term success that they think is possible against the cost of the procedure and also just the patient under going it. Genetics, early care, illness, medication, adult dental care and personal hygiene make everyone have unique sets of teeth so one person who can have a tooth saved doesn't mean that their friend can unfortunately.
Hopefully you will get some more answers to your questions BEFORE you begin treatment with them.
And why in the world did your NHS dentist only clean your front teeth?!
I also learned that long term infection can cause some bone loss. Perhaps this is what you're dentist is seeing, with or without shadows, that's making him suspect infection. Bone loss sounds scary but it doesn't have to be very much at all, it's just a sign that something isn't right in the area.
I remember you saying this was a deep cleaning and not just a general cleaning. Deep cleaning to me means periodontal (gum) - is that correct in your case? I can see this in terms of infection if they think it's there but at the same time, at least over here in the US as it was explained to me - antibiotics are used to treat the infection while the tooth itself undergoes treatment. If that does not work then they move onto deep cleaning. I can't speak with a lot of insight on this one as I don't personally have gum issues and I was told that exceptions to that rule may be pockets in the gums or pre-existing gum disease. Again, check with your provider if you have questions as to why you're having that kind of cleaning instead of a full general cleaning, treatment with antibiotics and treatment of infected tooth.
I also think Brit is right that this is a general dentist that does some endo. Which of course doesn't mean they are bad or unqualified. There are general dentists who go through training and continuing education to be able to offer these services to their patients. It might be worth it to you to see what he is.
While their office looks snazy, at the same time if this wasn't the type of dentist you actually wanted to see then I would go see the specialist you actually wanted. Don't worry about hurt feelings of the office or anything, just tell them you thought you were seeing a different type of doctor then what happened and hold nothing against them.
Sometimes teeth cannot be saved and a good dentist weighs the long term success that they think is possible against the cost of the procedure and also just the patient under going it. Genetics, early care, illness, medication, adult dental care and personal hygiene make everyone have unique sets of teeth so one person who can have a tooth saved doesn't mean that their friend can unfortunately.
Hopefully you will get some more answers to your questions BEFORE you begin treatment with them.
And why in the world did your NHS dentist only clean your front teeth?!