Posts by Gerald Smith76

gentletinker17 said:Hi,

I was wondering if anyone here has undergone a gum graft—either using tissue from the palate or donor tissue—to fix areas with recession?
What has your experience been like?

Thanks

Hey. What specifically are you looking for, or what is the underlying issue? The solution varies quite a bit depending on your current situation—tooth positioning, gum type, bite, bone density, existing dental work, etc.—but generally speaking, it can be done very effectively.

hiddensailor14 said:I have a question regarding dental X-rays, specifically panoramic shots and CT scans.
I was at a local dental clinic recently for a panoramic X-ray, and they didn't provide me with a lead apron or any kind of shielding. When I asked why, the technician told me that since this is a modern, computerized machine, an apron isn't necessary. I wasn't entirely convinced, but I was in a rush.😵

A friend of mine went to that same clinic lately for a CT scan, and he mentioned they didn't use any lead protection for him either.
I assume his "explanation" would have been the same as mine.
What's actually going on here?
Is this involving radionuclides and ionizing radiation? If so, why aren't they using the standard protective gear typically used during these types of exams?

Thanks.

In theory, the dose you receive from a modern dental X-ray machine is extremely low, so there's no reason to panic, and the apron isn't strictly vital. In practice, however, it's still good practice to use a lead apron, and I believe it's actually required by regulation.

Legally speaking, if an assistant is a trained dental hygienist, they’re fully authorized to handle scaling. Most dentists won't touch it because their time is far too valuable for such routine tasks. That said, plenty of seasoned assistants are just as proficient—if not more so—than the dentist when it comes to these procedures. It really boils down to the specific practice's workflow, and ultimately, it's your call who you want treating you.

Hey, we actually have a dedicated thread for Invisalign on this subforum. Take a look further down the page; please try to find your answer there or start a new thread if you need to, just so we don't end up with duplicates. Thanks!

Your topic is slightly off-target; you're talking about "dental nerves..."
Thanks

Sandra Brooks91 said:But why? I’m not trolling, I genuinely want to know. In theory, isn't there any reason why we couldn't just finish the job with a laser?

Theory and practice are two very different things. Dental lasers haven't reached the level of development where you can simply and safely switch wavelengths or adjust energy delivery on the fly for specific tasks. For instance, one wavelength and set of energy levels might be perfect for removing decayed tissue, while an entirely different setting is needed to clear away restorative material. Furthermore—as counterintuitive as it sounds—the handpieces used to deliver that laser energy generally don't allow for micro-precise maneuvers. We're talking about fine-tuning an inlay contact or bite, working right next to a nerve, effectively prepping a tooth for a veneer or crown, or performing the final polish on a filling or enamel surface. Will technological leaps change this in the future? Likely. Not long ago, 3D printing various dental materials and structures felt like science fiction, yet within a few years, it became standard practice and continues to evolve at an incredible pace.
To be clear, certain types of lasers are actually excellent for disinfection, biostimulation protocols, and specific soft-tissue surgeries. They serve as great tools for trained clinicians.

Sandra Brooks91 said:I'm wondering if it’s theoretically possible to design a tooth so that you don't end up needing a drill for the final shaping. Could we just work with extreme precision, maybe using a laser to trim things down if they're too high? I realize drilling is more precise and straightforward, but I want to know if there's a way to skip it entirely.

Unfortunately, no.

velvetpanther75 said:It’s less painful and much easier regardless. Since it's a new technology, it's bound to be an improvement. 😁

If you’re a dentist who dropped over $45,000 on a machine like that, you’re practically obligated to claim it’s painless and easier to use. In reality, it isn't painless, nor is removing hard tissue any more precise, faster, or simpler—especially with deep fillings where a laser can actually end up doing more harm than good. Plus, you still can't ditch the drill entirely; you’ll still need it to clear out old material or finish off a new filling that the laser just can't handle.
On the other hand, using lasers for supplemental disinfection and biostimulation during periodontal and endodontic procedures is a proven, evidence-based method. We need to be able to distinguish clinical facts from mere marketing hype. Ultimately, the effectiveness depends heavily on the specific type of laser being used, the practitioner's expertise, and their level of training.

There’s a thread about geniuses just above this one

The third topic from the top is dedicated to recommendations; please direct your questions there.

Kate Cruz71 said:Thanks for the info. I just checked some prices for crowns online through my dentist's portal, and a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is $0.50. I expected it to be higher, so that works for me.

One more thing—is it okay to leave it like this for a few weeks until I can get into my dentist's office?

It’ll hold up longer than that. Just don't put too much pressure on it when you bite down.😉

Kate Cruz71 said:Here are the photos.

https://pasteboard.co/I686WKY.jpg

https://pasteboard.co/I6877xI.jpg

Money is tight right now, so I can't afford the crown immediately. I'm wondering if leaving things as they are for a while is a viable option. 🤔

The X-ray shows the current state of the dental work before moving on to the buildup and the ceramic crown. There aren't many other teeth missing.

Douglas Doyle57, take a breath. Your first move should be going back to the clinic where you had the procedure; let them examine you and explain what's happening. If something needs fixing, they should fix it. You only move to the next step once you have all your medical documentation in hand if there’s an actual issue. An ER isn't the place to go looking for a second opinion. This forum certainly isn't a substitute for a formal diagnosis, much less a platform to fuel a "mob mentality" without hard evidence. In fact, if you aren't telling the truth—meaning if your version of the facts is incorrect or lacks proof—that clinic could easily sue you for defamation.

You have a thread about wisdom teeth further up. Go see a dentist to get some X-rays and find out what's actually happening—it's likely just an impaction causing the pain.

Please move this question to the appropriate thread located just above: "looking for a dentist..."

Your best bet is to get in touch with the dentist who performed the extraction and walk them through your symptoms. Unfortunately, this forum isn't the place for medical advice. I'm locking this thread since we already have a dedicated discussion specifically for tooth extractions here.

There’s a thread a few posts down... You might want to just grab a referral for an exam so they can actually see if there's an issue. Once you have those results, deciding on next steps will be much easier.

rapidranger36 said:Here are the photos

http://www.upslike.net/image/4WbqR

I'm seeing these orange bumps on the back wall of my throat. Is this actually normal?

Normal throat😉

Michelle Cruz17 said:Hello everyone.
I listed my diagnosis in the title.
The plan is to have my upper left molar extracted on April 22nd via an alveolotomy.
I’m currently 31 weeks pregnant, and I already had to undergo an alveolotomy on a lower molar at the oral surgery clinic during this pregnancy.
The whole thing took forever and was incredibly painful, even after three injections...
I can't remember if they were cutting the root or just scraping out an infection...
I'm not taking any medication right now; the surgeons told me antibiotics aren't ideal while pregnant and wouldn't do much anyway...
I am dreading having to go through that pain again.
Given this diagnosis, is there any way to extract the tooth painlessly?
Is performing an extraction while there's an active infection dangerous?
The teeth are large, and the roots go deep—about 25 mm...
Honestly, I'm starting to panic; just thinking about the last extraction and the recovery process gives me the chills.

Upper teeth are generally easier to extract, and the jaw is much easier to anesthetize than the lower one.😉

Dentistry is pure manual labor. It demands extreme precision, but it also takes a toll on your body—your wrists, neck, spine, eyesight, you name it. If you don't have fine motor skills, this isn't the field for you. But based on what you're saying, I don't think it'll be much of an issue for you.