Some Common Queries

I have decided to post some of the common queries which are regularly asked by the patients and also they get confusing answers while they keep asking the general population...

So lets get started.

What does it mean when someone says "I never have any cavities"? 

                    As a practicing dentist I sometimes encounter new patients, who have loved their previous dentist and are especially proud of how their teeth 'never need work'. 

                   I often hear this remark with a sense of dread; Although it can mean they have great teeth, it sometimes can be a tip off that their prior dentist was not detecting some dental problems. In such a situation, It can be awkward telling them the bad news, and I am always concerned that my potential new patient will not believe me If it turns out that they do have a number of dental problems.

                   After all they trusted and loved their old dentist and I am the 'new dentist in the area'. Often patients do not want to believe bad news and seek a second and third opinion ( often from their friends and family) before having a unwanted dental procedure.

Should Wisdom tooth ever get a Root Canal Done.?

                  The answer is sometimes. If a wisdom tooth has a deep cavity and has a pulpal exposure it can be a good candidate for endodontic therapy if it has erupted in a cleanable position and is in good function. Like other posterior teeth, after having a root canal wisdom teeth should be crowned. In my practice I recommend full metal crowns for wisdom teeth(and second molars), since the chewing pressure they can experience can make porcelain breakage more likely when porcelain fused to metal is used.

                If the wisdom tooth is not fully erupted or difficult for the patient to clean, then root canal is not the best option for dealing with a compromised pulp. Instead extraction is the best option. In this event, often the opposing wisdom tooth is extracted as well, since without an opposing tooth present, it may extrude over time.

Hope these are helpful for you... any more queries or any comments on these are surely welcomed...

Every day i shall be trying to post some query or other.. so Follow this blog regularly and follow the good dental habits too...