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I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

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Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#81

Post by kvmet »

kentonv wrote: post #53

A couple years ago my dentist sold her practice to a new dentist. Before I had an appointment with the new dentist, my wife had an appointment, and he told her she had gum disease with bone loss and needed a deep cleaning and to go on a "periodontal schedule" where she would have to come in every three months instead of six. (Note: My wife and I have different last names and separate insurance, so he wouldn't have kn…

Many dentists ago for me but they got a new contraption that could measure enamel thickness. They waved this wand around in my mouth and told me that I was in need of (4) fillings. Now I have always had thin enamel so it's not unusual to need some fillings but I didn't trust this process at all so I told them I'd mull it over and call back. Waited 6 months for next cleaning and mysteriously I didn't need any fillings at all despite having no work done.

I don't think it is necessarily done intentionally, but it's good to be a tiny bit skeptical especially when new factors are involved.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#82

Post by Waterluvian »

chpatrick wrote: post #75
EGreg wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

What's the right level of diagnosis for these?

I think that’s part of the problem. Because of long-standing systemic issues with statistical medicine, it’s all but impossible to say “that number is too high or low.” The tail can wag the dog if it so chooses.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#83

Post by hahamaster »

jeffmcmahan wrote: post #52

Took my 7 year old daughter to a dentist. 8 cavities. Gotta get em right away! Went to another one. All good - zero cavities. Many dentists are criminals willing to drill holes in children's teeth in order fraudulently take your money. She's now 15. Never had a cavity ever.

I think the majority of these people are despicable individuals who damage children's teeth for profit. But some are just plain incompetent. My son doesn't have a single cavity but there were cases when dentists at his school (who visit once every few months) "detected" cavities which were later proven to be simple food stains.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#84

Post by lost_tourist »

This was my experience. I had been going to a dentist around 8 years. Regular cleanings, a couple of fillings. Then they got a new hygienists who was -very- judgmental, I was of course like WTF. Then my dentist comes does some hmmms and ohhhhhs and suddenly I need root clean (forget the name exactly) and 5 crowns. This was mind you 6 months after my last cleaning/x-ray. Naturally I was suspicious and told them "I'll call and schedule with you, work is crazy". I then go to another dentist, and he says my teeth looked great, and he'd like to take out one wisdom tooth for $120 because it was awfully out of place. So I switched and have been happy with him for a few years now.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#85

Post by gitfan86 »

Waterluvian wrote: post #47

My son when 3 had a fall and a few teeth were bent. Went to our local dentist who mostly had a wait and see opinion. But then calls a day later and says they’ve decided they should just come out. Two top front teeth. Would have no top front teeth for years. I went into engineer mode and while I acknowledged I didn’t have domain expertise, I asked questions and probed the whole situation. Very unsatisfactory, meanderi…

90% of dentistry revenue is a scam.

But at the same time it is very important to brush you teeth twice a day and floss weekly. You should also avoid sugary food as much as possible.

Dentistry is much like Realtors, they like to take credit for very little actual work.

"If I'm not here to confirm people are brushing regularly everyone would lose all their teeth"

"I'm so glad I could sell your house for 500k. Without me you may have never sold it"

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#86

Post by tiahura »

toxik wrote: post #55
whatever1 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok sample of N = 1, but here it goes. Flossing daily was the single thing that imroved my dental hygiene more than anything else. Brushing, mouthwash, fluoride treatment, gum laser treatment, regular dentist visits, nothing worked. Still had bleeding gum, pain here and there, bad smell, unstopabble tooth decay. In my mid 20-s I started flossing daily (even multiple times when I feel like food is stuck). Really my mou…

Have you tried a waterpik? Considering an investment there myself.

Got one a year ago. They seem effective, however they make a huge mess - it’s a pressure washer in your bathroom.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#89

Post by throwaway290 »

Waterluvian wrote: post #47

My son when 3 had a fall and a few teeth were bent. Went to our local dentist who mostly had a wait and see opinion. But then calls a day later and says they’ve decided they should just come out. Two top front teeth. Would have no top front teeth for years. I went into engineer mode and while I acknowledged I didn’t have domain expertise, I asked questions and probed the whole situation. Very unsatisfactory, meanderi…

Once I had bad pain and went to a dentist, he pulled out a tooth. Later I heard it's absolutely last ditch and replacement teeth are finicky and will make your life much more problematic.

Thankfully it's just enough to the side to not be visible so I am getting away without one. (Though I think it's also problematic long term, because remaining teeth would shift.)

Never again to trust a dentist, no matter if it's a private clinic in developed country with supposedly great healthcare. Always talk, discuss and research and ask around enough to make own judgement...

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#90

Post by kashunstva »

moomoo11 wrote: post #51

Doctors are just people. I personally don’t trust a single one and why I always get multiple opinions. The sooner they’re replaced by automation that’s far superior in terms of accuracy and diagnosis, the better. Just a hundred years ago doctors were doing wack shit like chopping off limbs and giving people toxins or cocaine. Maybe the cocaine isn’t so bad. Today they give us SSRIs and opioids. They are given far too…

> The sooner they’re replaced by automation that’s far superior in terms of accuracy and diagnosis, the better.

I assume you are not referring to the procedural specialties of medicine. My spouse does complex aortic surgery; I don’t think most of her patients would consent to seeing her replaced by a robot. But who knows, techno-dystopias have a strange appeal for some.

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