Dental advice...HELP!?

My mom was a dental assistant for 20yrs. (not a hygienist) and she recommended that I get a second opinion from her dentist.





THE DETAILS: I floss every day (per my dental fanatic of a mother) and brush twice a day. I have never had a cavity and have never had any other issues. I am 29 now and hadn't been to the dentist for five years. After the examination I was told that my teeth were not in bad condition BUT I did have some issues; as in early on set periodontal disease.





I consulted my mother on the topic. She has worked for a half dozen dentists or more and says that while MOST of them are very trustworthy some are not. Especially after going several years w/o a visit they will "scare" you into additional procedures when you don't need them.





The procedure they recommended was a "Perio Scale". According to my mom once you get it done than you have to get it done routinely (almost like it cause permanent damage?) to to keep the upper tooth clean.





Plz comment on my mothers advice.

Dental advice...HELP!?
I am the world's biggest cynic yet I STILL believe that you probably do have early onset periodontal disease. The reason I believe this is because it is not unusual for a 29 year old to have perio, because you stated it had been 5 years between dental checkups, and because brushing and flossing is not an absolute guarantee that you will not get perio, especially if technique is not bang on. Your mother should know that the reasons we can get gum disease and periodontal disease are multi-factorial and complicated.





Why don't you just ask for evidence? Ask whoever gave you the diagnosis, whether it was your dentist or your hygienist, for the following evidence:





- ask to see evidence of bone loss on the x-ray


- ask to see evidence of periodontal pocketing (if her probe goes deeper than 2mm under the gum around your front teeth, or deeper than 3mm under the gum around your back teeth)


- ask to see evidence of gum recession





One or more of the above three indicators must be present to have periodontal disease. The exception would be if she were merely able to show you examples of millimeter or two gum recession (considered MINOR) without either of the two other indicators.





Periodontal cleanings do not result in the need for ongoing periodontal cleanings. In fact, if the hygienist fails to get desirable results from her attempts at scaling, she has an ethical responsibility to refer you to a periodontist for further evaluation and therapy. The frequency for cleanings should be based on your needs, not what the insurance company will pay!!!





The hygienist or dentist must have accurate records of all of your gum recession levels, pocket depths and a full dental x-ray survey. After having your teeth scaled, you are to return to have the gums evaluated again and have your oral hygiene homecare program reviewed and modified if need be. The chart has to show that you are making progress otherwise your dental office MUST refer you out to a periodontist. Whether you go or not is your choice. Your decision and reasons for your decision should be documented in your chart. At all times, you are supposed to understand what is being said to you. Further, you are to "appreciate" what is being said to you and the need for the services that they are recommending to you. Judging from your question, they did not explain much at all. Not a great start.
Reply:I think your mother is right.
Reply:I do not agree. I have 25 years in the field.
Reply:I think you should take your' moms' advice and get a second opinion. She would not tell you this if it wasn't true, Some dentists ARE unscrupulous in the way they treat patients, simply to get more money out of them. Go see your' moms' dentist. Happy New Year.
Reply:Like you, I had not gone to a dentist on a regular basis. When I developed bad breath, I knew the cause. So, I had a perio scale... nine years ago. Since then, , I now go to the dentist twice a year just for regular cleaning. I have never heard of having to repeat a perio scale just because you once had one. Nor has my dentist ever recommnded another one. But I do know that the best medicine of all is preventive medicine.
Reply:yeah get a second oppinion
Reply:what do u have to lose beyond a little time by consulting with another dentist? would your Mom knowingly steer you in the wrong direction?





give yourself a break.
Reply:I think your mother's advice is sound. There are unscrupulous dentists out there. There are lots of fraudulent insurance claims in the dental industry.





My advice would be the same as your mother's; go see her dentist for a second opinion. Her dentist knows she's been in the field for a long time, and they probably have a good and honest relationship.
Reply:If your unhappy with the advice you have been offered by your dentist, seek a 2nd opinion from another dentist.


I have been a registered dental nurse for more years than i can actually remember and a perio scale doesn't cause damage, it does the reverse and the reason you'd have to have cleaning done on a regular basis is because your at risk of perio disease becoming worse.


I have seen many patients who have not visited a dentist for several years, some have been lucky and have just needed a simple scale/polish and some have been unlucky, but i have never seen any dentist i have worked with using scare tactics!


Find another dentist and get a 2nd opinion and put your mind at rest

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