Michael

Are you sure he didn't have periodontal surgery? If the gums get too far gone before surgery is attempted, pains start occurring regularly and teeth are normally removed and replaced with a removable bridge.

Periodontal problems is currently a more common reason for tooth loss than decay (wasn't the case 50 years ago since then when a badly decayed tooth occurred without structure, it was usually pulled instead of crowned).

Normal dentists like doing deep cleaning since it is a money maker. Maybe you husbands gums were so bad that your normal dentist decided to have it done by a periodontist. Also a normal dentist will try to do a root canal and will only normally recommend a specialist if he is not sure that he completely got the root out (he loses money in that case since he does the majority of the work but can't charge you for the root canal).

tamms_1965

You're not talking to some dimwit. I think I know what went on....he did NOT have surgery, he had no pain, but my dentist would not touch him until he was "fixed." I'm pretty smart (and American) and well aware of gum disease, tooth decay, etc.. I have pretty great teeth as do my children (and brothers). Family dentists where I live usually do not deal with this, you go to a specialist.

Michael

Sorry, don't get upset. I just didn't know that dental practices were that much different in your area than in California.

Poppy girl

You are sooo right make a few calls before you get into the chair lol.

Poppy girl

Same here and when I was back in the UK last time I got 2 opinions and both said that I did not need the deep root cleaning!!

Bladerunner

I have just been to a dentist in Denver and he refused to do a deep cleaning as my teeth were too far gone. He said I need surgery and am going to lose at least seven, maybe nine teeth.

I have written about it on my blog (which, by way of warning, contains lots of swearing and the occasional gross photo)

http://hiddenjukebox.wordpress.com/

Poppy girl

What an excellant Blog I read as far as the Dental saga and will enjoy the rest later over a cup of tea and a Biccie.

Get them restored in the UK.

AlienUk

So very rude. Please explain to another dimwit what exactly the highlighted section means?

scrubbedexpat097

Your Blog is great!!

scrubbedexpat097

She wasn't being rude, just making a point.
I think it's called being sarcastic. Having a sense of humour and being sarcastic is not just for Brits you know....

tamms_1965

I'll tell you what rude is.....your profile pic

Bladerunner

It just seems unfair that some people can clean their teeth two or three times a day, floss and eat healthily, yet their teeth go yellow and fall out. Others can have beautiful, natural-looking pearly-whites for life without taking particular care of them.

Those of us with bad teeth have to endure not only social stigma, extreme pain and near-financial ruin, but we often suffer from guilt too as many people think it's our own fault for not taking care of our teeth.

Then again, life's not fair


Thanks for the positive comments about the blog BTW.

http://hiddenjukebox.wordpress.com/

Poppy girl

Again good points made.
Personally I have flossed and cleaned twice a day I carry those little disposable tooth brush's in my car....and have spent thousands on cosmetic dentistry only to be told by some twat that wants to make a few bucks, I need deep root cleaning and I should of looked after my teeth ..there is nothing visible like yourself and also no pain.

By the time I need a periodontist I might be too flippen old to care or dead.



ps Blog has been book marked

S Folinsky

It is hard to say what is typical. If you can get access to it, find out what the payment schedule to "Delta Dental" is for your area. These are based on going rates for procedures.

I am not the person to ask what is typical. My dental genes seem to be better than my spouse -- our dentist says that together we have normal teeth! Luckily, our Delta Plan is big on preventive care -- two checkups/cleanings per year and one set of X-rays per year.

I don't know what "deep cleaning" means -- however, my dentist cleans by hand -- I've been going to him since 1988 -- prior dentists had once of their technicians do it with various machines and tools. Since that time, the only filings that I've had have to replace old fillings which had worn out [especially the "porcelain" fillings popular in the 1970's]. I brush and floss daily and he complains that I don't do enough -- one day I asked how I compared to his other patients and he sheepishly smiled and said "better than most."

I'm 60 years old and still have all my teeth with only one crown -- on top of a root canal. I plan to keep it that way.

Poppy girl

FYI
Mother had a filling this morning and Xrays £45.40p