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Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

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Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#231

Post by fluctor »

DaveExeter wrote: post #171
bityard wrote: post #137

Near the beginning of the pandemic, I had a pretty bad toothache spring up out of basically nowhere. Bad enough that sleeping was difficult and eating was impossible. I went to see a dental surgeon (I forget the proper name for this) and he told me I needed a root canal, and backed it up with X-rays. It made sense, I had trouble with this tooth before and a previous dentist told me that a root canal and crown on this…

>cost out-of-pocket to address the cavities and they gave a number somewhat north of $200 Sorry for the all caps, but YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE PRICES! $200+ per filling is an ASKING PRICE. You counteroffer at $75/per filling. Maybe meet at $90/each. IF YOU DO NOT NEGOTIATE PRICES YOU WILL BE CHEATED!

You shouldn't have to negotiate prices.

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#232

Post by siva7 »

iforgetti wrote: post #177

Personal anecdote about this: My wisdom teeth grew in about 15 years ago and have sat comfortably behind my molars since. I saw a new dentist for a routine cleaning “intro package” where she suggested that I have the wisdom teeth removed. I asked her why should I have a surgery for this since I never had problems with them. She said it was a good idea because they were “more likely to develop a cavity” because they a…

This is actually the standard principle in german dental practices. Every practice i visited for the last 15 years recommended to remove all wisdom teeth asap because they will soon develop a cavity. Nothing happened in all those 15 years. I only get angry every time i visit a dentist and hear the same bullshit again and again.

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#233

Post by itsoktocry »

DaveExeter wrote: post #219
mb7733 wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, in this case he would have been cheated no matter the price.

In that case, yes. But I saw a quote from a dentist who wanted to charge some woman $260 per filling for 4 fillings. Who pays $260 per filling? That is a crazy price. $1,040 for an hours work? You have to put your foot down.

>Who pays $260 per filling? That is a crazy price. $1,040 for an hours work?

The rate may be a tad high, but I don't think a dentist is cranking out 4 fillings in an hour.

Here in Canada we have a semi-regulated system, and $200-$300 CAD per filling looks pretty normal at my insurance provider.

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#234

Post by borski »

alistairSH wrote: post #195
wiseowise wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> surgery to avoid the risk of developing a cavity because I might not know how to brush teeth that I have had for 15 years and never had a cavity on That's not because you don't know how to brush teeth, it's because it is physically hard to reach them. Sometimes even impossible, because part of tooth is hidden beneath gum.

Even still, the OP wouldn’t be any worse off waiting for a cavity and getting the tooth pulled then. Pushing surgery now is sketchy AF.

Not quite true; sometimes, if an infection develops (even without a cavity, just because food got caught in the gums) it can be significantly more painful to deal with than getting it taken care of when they're healthy.

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#235

Post by borski »

One great hack I've used to find a good dentist is to find one that used to serve in the armed forces; I reason that they were well trained not to overdiagnose since materials were limited and the military didn't have an unlimited budget, nor did they get paid any more. Thus far, that has been true, and I have liked every dentist I've found that way.

I developed this theory after finding one the 'old fashioned' way, through reviews and word of mouth, and he convinced me I had six cavities and I let him drill and fill two of them before I got a second opinion. Turns out I had no cavities, and didn't need the first two filled either; just a few spots to watch.

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#236

Post by dlp211 »

WalterBright wrote: post #225
corry wrote: post #136

Ah this article put the finger on why I don't trust my 'new dentist': The operation is just too slick from a business POV. As someone familiar with SaaS or in general this kind of recurring business model, you can sense all the little operational policies and procedures designed to increase your LTV. It's a well-oiled machine. Without fail, the hygienist recommends cleaning not once every 12 months or even every 6 mo…

When I was 21, my dentist recommended removal of my wisdom teeth. I asked why, he said because they are difficult to clean, and so I'd lose them anyway by 30. I switched dentists. I'm old now, still have those teeth, and they are the healthiest teeth in my mouth. If you want to keep your teeth, 1. get an electric toothbrush 2. brush for the full 2 minutes, twice a day 3. floss twice a day, gently (overdoing it will e…

0. Be born with the right genetics.

There is this idea that the only thing you need for good oral health is to simply do the maintenance. This couldn't be further from the the truth, and an honest dentist will tell you so.

There are plenty of folks that take exceptional care of their teeth, yet still have issues and there are plenty of folks that don't take care of their teeth the way their dentist recommends and still have healthy teeth. Genetics plays a massive role in oral health and this has been known at least since I have been a kid (almost 40 now).

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#237

Post by systems_glitch »

WalterBright wrote: post #225
corry wrote: post #136

Ah this article put the finger on why I don't trust my 'new dentist': The operation is just too slick from a business POV. As someone familiar with SaaS or in general this kind of recurring business model, you can sense all the little operational policies and procedures designed to increase your LTV. It's a well-oiled machine. Without fail, the hygienist recommends cleaning not once every 12 months or even every 6 mo…

When I was 21, my dentist recommended removal of my wisdom teeth. I asked why, he said because they are difficult to clean, and so I'd lose them anyway by 30. I switched dentists. I'm old now, still have those teeth, and they are the healthiest teeth in my mouth. If you want to keep your teeth, 1. get an electric toothbrush 2. brush for the full 2 minutes, twice a day 3. floss twice a day, gently (overdoing it will e…

I think this was the only heathcare thing I ever fought with my mom over, in high school. Demanded we get a second opinion. The oral surgeon agreed that my teeth were fine. Still have them 20 years later, still no cavities. It just seemed nuts to me to remove something through surgery that wasn't causing problems.

My favorite "reason" for why they should come out was, "you're more likely to bite your cheeks."

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#238

Post by richdougherty »

dogman144 wrote: post #130

This is a truth about corporate dentistry, and it common in family practices but less so. I used to know a few dentists. One was a conservative, family dentist with a small home office in a small home (and a mountain of savings). He had a good rep bc he earned it. The other two had a bit more extravagant lives, and they earned it through specialization (and in my opinion, probably a little bit of this article). What…

About 90% of the treatment I had was in the year or two after my local dentist was bought by a large, publicly listed dentist corp. (This is in New Zealand.) I've switched back to another local dentist and no treatment needed in the decade since. Although I guess all those crowns I got will need replacing eventually.

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#239

Post by mrmuagi »

floppydiskette wrote: post #96
tbran wrote: post #77

A compelling book on tooth care is Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye by Ellie Phillips. It advocates for: - Using flouride toothpaste. - Using a combo of bad-bacteria-killing mouthwash and flouride mouthwash (especially before bed). - Eating or finishing meals with tooth-protective foods. - Chewing xylitol [0] gum or mints. Xylitol is a sugar-replacement (with a lower insulin response) found in plants . I think Epic Dental h…

> You can solve this while sleeping by taping your lips together. Uh...what? Nobody is going to do that.

If you enter the world of sleep apnea treatments its kind of actually quite common. The alternative sometimes is using head gear apparatus and look like darth vader. I mean even for fighting mouth breathing during sleep its been recommend.

Re: Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)

#240

Post by gnicholas »

WalterBright wrote: post #225
corry wrote: post #136

Ah this article put the finger on why I don't trust my 'new dentist': The operation is just too slick from a business POV. As someone familiar with SaaS or in general this kind of recurring business model, you can sense all the little operational policies and procedures designed to increase your LTV. It's a well-oiled machine. Without fail, the hygienist recommends cleaning not once every 12 months or even every 6 mo…

When I was 21, my dentist recommended removal of my wisdom teeth. I asked why, he said because they are difficult to clean, and so I'd lose them anyway by 30. I switched dentists. I'm old now, still have those teeth, and they are the healthiest teeth in my mouth. If you want to keep your teeth, 1. get an electric toothbrush 2. brush for the full 2 minutes, twice a day 3. floss twice a day, gently (overdoing it will e…

What's the evidence for the rubber pointy tools?
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