Okay this is a serious one, folks. I wasn't sure what to expect here.


I brush 3 times a day (habit from braces), but I have genetically shitty teeth. Which I'm sure I contribute to by drinking zero milk, but whatever. I didn't have insurance for a really long time, and I'm allergic to Novicaine, so I hadn't gone to the dentist in about 4 years or so.
A month or so ago, I had some pain/pressure in the lower right back of my jaw, so I finally went to have that checked out. The Dentist did a quick exam, said he couldn't see anything wrong with those teeth and possibly I may have had something caught under the gum or it was due to shifting since I don't wear my retainers. He found 1 small cavity and filled it for me right there, and fixed another cracked filling. I was surprised to hear that was all of the work I needed done - bad teeth, 4 years w/o a visit and ONE TINY cavity that didn't even require any numbing?
So I set a regular cleaning/checkup for this past weekend. A week or so ago, the top right tooth way in the back broke when I cruched down on a piece of candy. There was already a filling in that tooth, it came off of the side. The piece that came out looked like it might have had some cavity going on. But when I went this week, they said that the dr didn't see any other cavities, and I was fine, and they didn't do an examination, just a cleaning. But I'm suspecious. I'm not sure that I really got a proper examination, but I could just be paranoid because I'm spazzy about losing my teeth.

It's not like this is a shitty dentist, either. He's all special and famous and shite because he uses all these alternative methods (which is why I go to him, he doesn't just use novicane and that's all, 12 fillings without any numbing is quite enough), and he's been on TV and I think he did all those extreme makeover chicks.

So when I go back for the broken tooth, should I say anything, or am I being a paranoid bitch? Seriously, my dad has like, no teeth left. I'm freaking here. I have my jaw Xray, but I don't know what I'm looking at. LOL.

mmm chicks with no teeth

if you aren't certain, get a second and even a third opinion.

btw, if all else fails, dentures are the way to go...

you can take them in and out for every purpose under the sun. just sayin'...

I'd see another dentist too, NaT, just to be sure.
No X-rays?

I just realized you mentioned the jaw x-ray... he didn't go over them with you?

I'd always get a second opinion if you have a weird feeling about a doctor or dentist. I've had doctors tell me they were 99% certain I had something and then it turned out I had something completely different. I've ran into a lot of doctors that believe they know everything and trust their instincts 100% and fail to second guess themselves.

They took the regular mini-Xrays at visit 1. He set up the full-jaw Xray for the second visit/cleaning. I didn't see him at that one, just the hygentists. I think if I didn't get a throrough exam, it may have been a misunderstanding. I would like to get things straightened out on the 5th. They sent me with a referral to see an oral surgeon in regards to the lower right wisdom tooth - apparently it is in a REALLY bad spot. I could leave it alone, and it could try to come in and cause an infection. I could get it out, but it's sitting dangerously close to a nerve. So I will be calling the surgeon tomorrow.
Now, I'm sure it was on my chart, but I had forgotten and no one mentioned that the reason I went the first time is because of the pain I was having was in/around the tooth that THE SIDEWAYS WISDOM TOOTH IS AIMED RIGHT AT. **I** made that connection, looking at the copy they gave me to show the OS. I don't know if that's WHY she recommended it, and just didn't feel like explaining, or the usual "Let's get those out even though they've never given you a lick of trouble" stance a lot of dentists take on wisdom teeth. Mine have never bothered to come in. I'm 28.
I think I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt until my next visit on the 2nd. I spoke up a bit, but not much on Saturday. My gums were killing me from the cleaning, and I just wanted to get out of there, plus I had plans w/ a friend. I will be a bit more assertive next time. My mom has been going to him for years, and loves him. I'd hate to have to switch back to a dentist that has shit I'm allergic to and no alternatives.

GRILLZ

you are the only person i have ever known of besides myself that is allergic to novacaine(i'm also allergic to benzocaine and lytocaine too)
the dentist scares the fuck out of me, i only go if something is infected which thankfully hasn't happened in years. My teeth are in ok shape, the front ones are good the back ones are in terrible shape though. Probably doesn't help that i pulled my braces off when i was younger either

LOL, I used to DREAM of pulling mine off. I was too good, though. My mom would have killed me.

ha ha i used an ice pick and some pliers
and my mom was pretty pissed but my orthodontist was a quack he spent 4 years opening and than closing and then opening and closing the space between my front teeth

dentists use lydocaine now...its been awhile since they've used Novocaine...

just sayin...
go with a second opinion though

i am allergic to that too

How come so few use laughing gas these days?

thats nitrous (aka whippits and its to put you in a twilight state i think for surgery or more invasive procedures...

I know what laughing gas is.

is this supposed to be high or low? because i do like 5 times per day

but i hate floss