How often do dentists perform procedures that aren't really needed? An example, lying about fillings, etc.
919494
Not very often - for sure. Dentists and all other medical professionals are licensed, and carefully monitored ... they are not going to risk their careers for a couple of extra bucks from you.
485773
i take pretty good care of my teeth and i visit the dentist regularly, besides, that's what they're there for, why get embarressed...however, i still from time to time get one of those creatures on my teeth, so i get it treated, proceed with the dentists' instructions and move on. but i can offer you this, obviously you're not taking care of your teeth as well as you should to have two-three cavities and a rotten tooth at one time...so you may want to work a lil harder on cleaning your teeth and visit the dentist sooner than later. finally, where is the embarressment coming from? it goes beyond the dentist...soul search. people tend to get embarressed when they worry about what people say about them. not i and you should'nt either...hell, if no one had bad teeth the dentists would'nt have a job...
915336
Vee have our vays.  It all comes with knowing how to do it.  In a front tooth, I often do not need to make a surgical approach, but I can't speak for your dentist........
837323
It really depends.  Some dentists are willing to do more things for purely cosmetic reasons than others are.  Have you thought about having them capped?
185592
Making sure to brush properly and on a regular basis..2-3 times per day using a soft toothbrush... flossing at least once perday and seeing your dentist every 6 months for a regular cleaning and exam.  Most people are not aware that they can brush every day and go their entire lives with no cavities and still lose all of their teeth to periodontal disease due to not flossing.  I cannot stress the importance of flossing enough!!!!
989993
one of the best things yet is air abrasion for removing decay.....lots of time a small area of decay can just be "sandblasted" off and you wont even need to be numb...no pain...faster visit.\nalso, digital xrays---they can even be faxxed!\nalso again---composite fillings...the white natural tooth-looking kind! so great to have true "pearly whites" without the darkness of amalgam(silver)
417232
according to my dentist, who loves to discuss this while doing a prophylaxis on me, their role as dentists is now shifting from cure to prevention. moreover, with the introduction of flourinated water, there is a gradual shift from cure and maintenance to "repair" (such as braces). also, their role in "medicine" and "oral health" is increasingly being recognized espcially now with the emergence of "oral surgeons" in recent years.\n-it is far from a 2000-word essay, but i hope it eased the burden
507995
Yes all dental cavities need to be filled.  Other types of cavities you can fill at your own discretion.
809097
You can wait. Dentists have this thing where they try to "catch a cavity early" even if it's not serious. That's just more money they're putting in their pockets to have it filled. I brush, floss, and rinse after every meal everyday and when I went to the dentist last week, they just happened to find two cavities. My teeth have not been bothering me at all. Unless it starts to bother you, then you can probably wait.
292759
I brush twice a day but I don't floss anywhere as near as often as I should.
588224
If a tooth requires a  root canal, and you don't want it, the only other option is removal of the tooth. \n\nModification:\nForgot to say that usually, wisdom teeth are removed...root canals aren't done on them.
639880
My dentist make my upper and lower teeth fit better by grinding off a little of the enamel on the edges of a few teeth. I saw a lot of improvement immediately.\nNot every dentist has had the special training necessary to do this procedure.
259224
How often do you floss?
627625
here in arkansas most people just call the local dentists and ask them.most of the time, the front desk will have an answer for you.
222639
i had some real nice work done in south east asia. fillings extractions, root canal, post and cap. all very .. i mean VERY cheap...of coures there was no anesthetic and their offices were as clean as a barn...but the work was great...and fast. i'll never go to an american dentist again! ok i didnt have all this done at once but all together [ 2 different dentist]about 40 dollars us  and one time i got ripped off , it should have been less... this is all true but seriously you can get good safe western style work done in a big city clinic set up for foreigners for about 1/4 of western prices. but ive been happy w/ the back alley work.
719924
Yes you can go under general anesthesia..but usually that's only givin during extractions and/or dental surgery\n\nif it's only a regular appointment (drilling, filling..etc) I'm not sure if a dentist will permit that esp. that some procedures require the patient's cooperation\n\nask ur dentist to give u a sedative..that may help
949693
How many is a lot?  I can come up with a statistical average, but it would be meaningless.  I have some 37 year old patients who only have one or two fillings and some who only have one or two TEETH.  Somewhere in between that amount...\n\nThese days, I'd say it's common to see someone that age with maybe 8-to-10 fillings and zero-to-one crown.  The crown would be on a tooth that was decaying just as the young adult moved from home and decided to put dental care on the back burner.  Unfortunately, THIS tooth decayed all the way to the nerve and needed root canal treatment followed by a crown.\n\n§