re: What is wrong with modern dentistry?

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Some years ago, I had to go to a different dentist for a root canal. I switched to a more modern practice. My current dentist does all of what you mentioned and is now doing implants as well

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I guarantee you he is not doing root canals as well as an endodontost and not doing implants as well as an oral surgeon or periodontist. Maybe acceptable, but not perfection. Higher fail rate for sure.

Another reason for the growing trend of sending complex cases to specialists is the litigious society we’ve become. Jump back 40 years and a general dentist with a 90% success rate on root canals was doing pretty good. Today with endodontists, perfection is virtually the norm. If you’re a bit short of the apex, you may get sued for not referring the case. Higher standard of care.

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There should be requirements that everything must be disclosed and agreed upon before the first needle hits your gums unless an emergency happens

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There is. Informed consent is the standard.

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Vinny V

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Thank you Vinny V. Right on brother.

I love when people say “I’ve never had a cavity before! No way I can have one now!”

Not one of these idiots here’s would say “no way I have high blood pressure! I’ve never had it before!” Or “no way I need cholesterol medication! It’s always been great!” Yet this seems to permeate this thread. I guess it’s a big racket with big pharma to get people on BP and cholesterol medications. But then again, I’m sure there really are people on here who think this too.

Secondly, many general dentists are great at what they do. Many general dentists do their own implants, roots canals, and third molar extractions. I’ve seen plenty of general dentists work that does equal if not better work than specialists can do. The the idiots on here complaining and saying things like “general dentists should only be cleaning and filling teeth,” you are a fool. There are some general dentists that only feel comfortable doing basic procedures and some enjoy (and are known for) doing more complex procedures. I can’t stand hearing people say things like “you need a surgeon to do xyz.” That is true mark of ignorance.

You all have proved that your tough and wise on the keyboard but really don’t know shite. Please save it.

I won’t even get into the “wam bam thank you ma’am” that someone mentioned. There’s not enough time to discuss insurance companies fricking us over.

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Vinny V

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What's the cost of the material used to do a crown?

It is notes. They don't take good notes.

What I don't understand is why they fix a cavity the same way they did 50 years ago...probably 70 years ago. Oh they fill it with something different, but can't they come up with something more technologically advanced than a drill?

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Those crown machines you reference are roughly $150,000 up front and a service fee of a few thousand per month

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Are you a dentist? While you are right about the upfront cost of the crown technology, you are absolutely wrong about the monthly service fees of a few thousand per month.

In reality, what these machines do is allow you to provide same day service for your patients and fix your lab expenses for the month. Used appropriately, buying this technology is actually less expensive than doing it the old fashioned two visit way, despite the upfront costs.

I think I have a good dentist, only recently started. I hadn't been in awhile, he only recommended fixing what I knew needed fixing.

I am impressed by the office setup they have now, have specific skill levels among the staff and only apply the right-costed hours to everything.

kind of like fitting aircraft of different sizes to routes

You need a new dentist. I've had the same dentist since I was 17 and he has done a root canal, pulled my wisdom teeth, and does my annual cleanings and such.

Sounds like yours either doesn't know what he is doing or is in cahoots with these other guys to get kickbacks and such where they all make a bunch of money off poor saps like you.

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What I don't understand is why they fix a cavity the same way they did 50 years ago...probably 70 years ago. Oh they fill it with something different, but can't they come up with something more technologically advanced than a drill?

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They actually don't but you, like the vast majority here, have no clue. If you knew about cavities, tooth structure, and how fillings work then you'd know why. It's not just drilling a hole, it has to be shaped in a precise way as to provide mechanical retention and deal with the forces exterted on it while you're stuffing your face with food.

I’ll never have a regular dentist do a root canal.

Had to have 2 root canals on two different teeth redone because the dentist that did the original wasn’t able to completely get down to the root...so it got infected again later on. Guy was a great general dentist.....but should have referred me to an endodontist.

My current dentist saw the problems with my old root canal and referred me to an endodontist. He told me he would rather the experts do root canals for his patients and not him. Apparently I have really deep roots and this is why the original dentist didn’t do a complete job.