Dentists provide a variety of dental treatment

[Crumley25 0]

These days’ people visiting dentists are no longer patients. There are people who want small defects in their teeth corrected so that they get the perfect smile.

So dentists are also providing dental treatment according to the needs of their clients. Small and minor defects in the teeth can be corrected by different cosmetic dentistry methods. There are dental fillings, veneers and laminates, dental implants and various teeth whitening methods. All these are aimed at correcting small defects in the teeth so as to give the perfect smile.>>

>>There are other dental treatments like scaling and root planing to remove the dental plaque and calculus that have accumulated on the surface of the teeth. These are non-surgical methods that a periodontist does to remove the accumulated plaque. On the other hand, if the non-surgical dental treatment has been unsuccessful in removing the calculus, the periodontist conducts surgery to remove the tenacious hard deposits from the teeth.>>

If there is a tooth decay that has penetrated deep into the root pulp, an endodontic treatment called root canal treatment is done to remove the decay and restore the tooth of its function. Most of the tooth decay is caused by bacteria that are present in the mouth.  The decay is removed, the canals are cleaned, disinfected and the tooth is then sealed with an inert material. This prevents further bacterial infection. A permanent restoration is done and a tooth crown is fitted onto the tooth. The tooth begins to function normally because it is supported by other tissues.

[Rymac91 15]

eh? what exactly is the point of this thread?

is this a bad example of spam?

[DuskTrooper 314]

I CAN VOUCH for this man!  Here are some before and after pictures!

BEFORE

AFTER

[DarkEldar 6]

Woah dusktrooper! that looks completely cheap firstly that looks like a womens smile in after and you can tell its not the same person

[mightygoose 92]

wow the dentists even threw in a nose job for good measure

[Duke87 1,070]

You make an interesting point. Nobody ever needs braces, and yet they're common as dirt. Why? Because crooked teeth, while they pose absolutely no medical risk, don't look nice. People have this crazy obsession with having the perfect smile to the point where they're willing to pay large sums of money for it. Both of my sisters got braces- and I criticized them for it. Neither of them needed them, but their teeth were crooked and it interfered with their ability to look pretty. My teeth are even crookeder than either of theirs were, and I haven't gotten braces. I absolutely refuse. I'm perfectly capable of chewing and swallowing, so as far as I'm concerned, they're fine. They function as they're supposed to.

The thing I really hate about the whole thing is that there's this common misconception that people "need" braces. Nobody needs braces more than anyone needs breast implants or liposuction. It's just pure vanity.

I personally link it to a lack of self-confidence. You shouldn't feel any desire to modify your appearance either permanently through surgical processes or temporarily through makeup if you're confident with yourself. If you truly thought you looked good, you would think you looked good as you are, unmodified and unenhanced.

Still, if people want to waste their money on becoming more plastic than flesh... it's their money, so it's their decision.

[Zelgadis 638]

Originally posted by: Duke87 You make an interesting point. Nobody ever needs braces, and yet they're common as dirt. quote>

Ah, but we do "need" braces.  My dentist for 25 years was a bite specialist.  And he was damn good at it too.  Misaligned teeth can cause an unbelievable array of other medical problems, such as headaches, tiredness, bad balance, etc.  After my mother had her braces (at age 40), she told me that she had never realized before that she didn't feel "normal."

Making sure you have properly aligned teeth is probably one of the most important health-related decisions you can make.

ISF

[Voar Tok 4]

And as we can all see from the guy in your avatar, he's obviously had braces!

[MrCinatit 30]

Originally posted by: zelgadis

Originally posted by: Duke87 You make an interesting point. Nobody ever needs braces, and yet they're common as dirt. quote>

Ah, but we do "need" braces.  My dentist for 25 years was a bite specialist.  And he was damn good at it too.  Misaligned teeth can cause an unbelievable array of other medical problems, such as headaches, tiredness, bad balance, etc.  After my mother had her braces (at age 40), she told me that she had never realized before that she didn't feel "normal."

Making sure you have properly aligned teeth is probably one of the most important health-related decisions you can make.

ISF

quote>

Correct.

As a youngster, I had horribly overcrowded teeth, and as a result, horribly crooked teeth.

Not only were there the headaches, but my teeth were so misaligned, I had a very difficult time properly brushing them, and even had problems properly chewing my food.

Before I got my braces, I had some pulled - it was a good thing, too, because my dentist said once my wisdom teeth came in (which they were preparing to do at the time), the situation would have been much worse, and the headaches would have been almost unbearable.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: zelgadis

Originally posted by: Duke87 You make an interesting point. Nobody ever needs braces, and yet they're common as dirt. quote>

Ah, but we do "need" braces.  My dentist for 25 years was a bite specialist.  And he was damn good at it too.  Misaligned teeth can cause an unbelievable array of other medical problems, such as headaches, tiredness, bad balance, etc.  After my mother had her braces (at age 40), she told me that she had never realized before that she didn't feel "normal."

Making sure you have properly aligned teeth is probably one of the most important health-related decisions you can make.

ISF

quote>

They have found that people who have had braces have less heart disease than people who haven't had braces.   But this is one of those statistical connections that has no known logic behind it.

Personally I think it just reflects that people who have had braces have greater than average access to health care.    And people with greater than average access to health care have less heart disease.

But then again, people with heart murmurs need to get pre-medicated before getting their teeth cleaned so maybe there is some connection.

[hym 358]

SkiGeek, supposedly there are blood vessels that run directly from the mouth, through the jaw and neck, and drain directly into the upper regions of the heart, carrying any germs and "dirt" with the blood.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: hym

SkiGeek, supposedly there are blood vessels that run directly from the mouth, through the jaw and neck, and drain directly into the upper regions of the heart, carrying any germs and "dirt" with the blood.quote>

So the theory is that kid in DT's picture is getting yucky stuff dumped into his heart?  Could be.

That is obviously an extreme case but having a mouth like that can't be healthy.

[hym 358]

Yes, that's the theory. They think that what happens is the crud from the mouth, like plaque on your teeth and whatnot, dumps into the upper chambers of the heart, where it deposits on the valves and interior linings of the heart, thus impairing function and probably causing inflammation of the heart tissue. If it doesn't deposit in the heart tissue, it can theoretically be pumped into other areas, like the lungs.

[Meg 368]

Okay.  But it seems like brushing and flossing would help more than getting braces.

[hym 358]

Brushing and flossing would be more helpful than just getting braces. The heart-mouth connection is part of the larger preventative healthcare approach that sees the whole body as a connected system. Get the teeth aligned properly, as part of improving the overall health of the mouth, and the heart will see benefits, which will in turn have benefits elsewhere on the body.

[s.i.X 13]

I 'need' braces but Canada's socialist medicare system won't give them to me. Huzzah!

I also suffer from a deadly gum disease known as GIN GA VI TUS!!!

[Voar Tok 4]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek

Originally posted by: zelgadis

Originally posted by: Duke87 You make an interesting point. Nobody ever needs braces, and yet they're common as dirt. quote>

Ah, but we do "need" braces.  My dentist for 25 years was a bite specialist.  And he was damn good at it too.  Misaligned teeth can cause an unbelievable array of other medical problems, such as headaches, tiredness, bad balance, etc.  After my mother had her braces (at age 40), she told me that she had never realized before that she didn't feel "normal."

Making sure you have properly aligned teeth is probably one of the most important health-related decisions you can make.

ISF

quote>

They have found that people who have had braces have less heart disease than people who haven't had braces.   But this is one of those statistical connections that has no known logic behind it.

Personally I think it just reflects that people who have had braces have greater than average access to health care.    And people with greater than average access to health care have less heart disease.

But then again, people with heart murmurs need to get pre-medicated before getting their teeth cleaned so maybe there is some connection.quote>

That and a few other things.  Can't say that I've ever had experience with this, but aside from what is starting to shape up as a oral health to heart health connection (which I can say I've seen personal evidence to) there's also some belief that a person's oral health can affect their reproductive health too, especially in women of child-bearing age.

[DuskTrooper 314]

Originally posted by: Voar Tok

a person's oral health can affect their reproductive health too, especially in women of child-bearing age.quote>

Definitely.  After all, who wants to raise a family with a chick who has horrible oral hygiene, and ugly teeth?

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: hym Yes, that's the theory. They think that what happens is the crud from the mouth, like plaque on your teeth and whatnot, dumps into the upper chambers of the heart, where it deposits on the valves and interior linings of the heart, thus impairing function and probably causing inflammation of the heart tissue. If it doesn't deposit in the heart tissue, it can theoretically be pumped into other areas, like the lungs.quote>

Okay, I'm having trouble swallowing that one. Seems really far-fetched to me.

Originally posted by: zelgadis Ah, but we do "need" braces.  My dentist for 25 years was a bite specialist.  And he was damn good at it too.  Misaligned teeth can cause an unbelievable array of other medical problems, such as headaches, tiredness, bad balance, etc.quote>

Considering that came from someone who would be out of a job if no one ever got braces or any other such corrective measures... no sale. Of course no dentist is ever going to claim that people don't ever really need braces- it would be highly detrimental to their own best interest to do so.

After my mother had her braces (at age 40), she told me that she had never realized before that she didn't feel "normal."quote>

That's just an emotional reaction. "normal" is highly subjective. Of course she's going to feel "better" after having gotten her teeth straightened if she expects there to be a benefit to it. It's ye olde placebo effect.

Making sure you have properly aligned teeth is probably one of the most important health-related decisions you can make.quote>

Try and say that out loud. Seriously, it sounds ridiculous. Laughable, even. How could it be anywhere near as important as, say, not smoking, eating healthy, getting plenty of exercise, sleeping properly, etc., etc.

[hym 358]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: hym Yes, that's the theory. They think that what happens is the crud from the mouth, like plaque on your teeth and whatnot, dumps into the upper chambers of the heart, where it deposits on the valves and interior linings of the heart, thus impairing function and probably causing inflammation of the heart tissue. If it doesn't deposit in the heart tissue, it can theoretically be pumped into other areas, like the lungs.quote>

Okay, I'm having trouble swallowing that one. Seems really far-fetched to me.quote>

Out of curiousity, what's so improbable about it?

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: hym

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: hym Yes, that's the theory. They think that what happens is the crud from the mouth, like plaque on your teeth and whatnot, dumps into the upper chambers of the heart, where it deposits on the valves and interior linings of the heart, thus impairing function and probably causing inflammation of the heart tissue. If it doesn't deposit in the heart tissue, it can theoretically be pumped into other areas, like the lungs.quote>

Okay, I'm having trouble swallowing that one. Seems really far-fetched to me.quote>

Out of curiousity, what's so improbable about it?quote>

The idea that plaque in your mouth just kinda sorta magically migrates to your heart and stays there. Some of it does get absorbed into your bloodstream no doubt (lots of things get into your blood through your gums. That's why you can get traces of alcohol in your blood from using mouthwash), but I don't then see how the heart would end up being its final resting place. Given that the heart is actively pumping and lots of blood is moving around in there rather turbulently, it logically seems to be the last place you'd expect any sediments to collect. Besides, it's not like it has to settle out of your blood. Your kidneys would probably filter out most of it.

Even through all this, though, the fact remains that the buildup of plaque in your mouth comes from lack of properly brushing your teeth. It collects just the same whether your teeth are perfectly straight or hideously crooked. The only real way tooth alignment then comes in is that straight teeth are easier to thoroughly and properly brush than crooked ones. But, countering that, teeth with braces on them are a hell of a lot harder to clean than teeth without braces on the due to all the additional nooks and crannies they create, which makes them very high maintenance- and I can't imagine they're too comfortable to wear, either. And even once you get your braces off, you have to worry about wearing a retainer for the rest of your life to keep your teeth straight.

So they cost a ton of money and they're a permanent pain on the ass to deal with.

My teeth shall remain defiantly crooked, thank you very much. And if it bothers you, you're just going to have to deal with it.

[Zelgadis 638]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Considering that came from someone who would be out of a job if no one ever got braces or any other such corrective measures... no sale. Of course no dentist is ever going to claim that people don't ever really need braces- it would be highly detrimental to their own best interest to do so. quote>

My dentist didn't tell me that.  It's a fact that has been taught to me for as long as I can remember.  From teachers, newspaper articles, and a variety of other sources.  

And, for the record, my dentist never made a cent from braces.  He did minor bite corrections as part of the regular checkup routine.  For those who needed more serious corrections (braces) he wrote a referral for the orthodontist of your choice.

After my mother had her braces (at age 40), she told me that she had never realized before that she didn't feel "normal."quote>

That's just an emotional reaction. "normal" is highly subjective. Of course she's going to feel "better" after having gotten her teeth straightened if she expects there to be a benefit to it. It's ye olde placebo effect.quote>

Wow, you've met my mother!  I mean, you must have because you seem to know her better than I do!  I had no idea!  What did she say to you?  Did she tell you all about how her headaches went away after she had her braces?  Did she mention how much more energy she had during the day?  Did she mention how much her exercise routine improved?  

Her teeth were never noticably crooked.  And after the braces, you couldn't see a difference.  But they sure improved her well-being.

That's one hell of a placebo...

Making sure you have properly aligned teeth is probably one of the most important health-related decisions you can make.quote>

Try and say that out loud. Seriously, it sounds ridiculous. Laughable, even. How could it be anywhere near as important as, say, not smoking, eating healthy, getting plenty of exercise, sleeping properly, etc., etc.quote>

Well, I'll say it out loud, but you can't hear me over the internet.    Almost everything I've ever seen or read about concerning straight, healthy teeth puts it right up there with all those things. 

ISF

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

^^ LoL

I agree with zel, having your teeth aligned properly is important

I also have heard the theory about oral hygiene being connected with heart health, but dont' know if it's true or not.

Anyway, as an added benefit, my teeth are pretty and straight now.  So, yes, it is also for vanity reasons! 

But, countering that, teeth with braces on them are a hell of a lot harder to clean than teeth without braces on the due to all the additional nooks and crannies they create, which makes them very high maintenance- and I can't imagine they're too comfortable to wear, either.quote>

I had braces for 3 years, no cavities.  In fact I think my teeth are cleaner now than before, but maybe that's because straighter teeth are easier to clean.  And of course they aren't comfortable.  But it's totally worth it in my opinion.    The retainer isn't annoying though, just have to wear it at night & the permanent ones aren't uncomfortable at all. 

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: zelgadis My dentist didn't tell me that.  It's a fact that has been taught to me for as long as I can remember.  From teachers, newspaper articles, and a variety of other sources. quote>

Well, as I said- it's a very common misconception. It's one of those things that was cooked up to make money and was done so well that a lot of intelligent respectable people actually believe it- like "Restless Leg Syndrome".

And, for the record, my dentist never made a cent from braces.  He did minor bite corrections as part of the regular checkup routine.  For those who needed more serious corrections (braces) he wrote a referral for the orthodontist of your choice. quote>

Fair enough, but he's still in the business.

Wow, you've met my mother!  I mean, you must have because you seem to know her better than I do!  I had no idea!  What did she say to you?  Did she tell you all about how her headaches went away after she had her braces?  Did she mention how much more energy she had during the day?  Did she mention how much her exercise routine improved? quote>

Sarcasm. I approve.

So I haven't met her. Nevertheless, all of those claims have other possible explanations. I daresay they're psychological, not physical. The crooked teeth were making her stressed out, which in turn interfered with her exercise and energy and caused her headaches. If you're comfortable with crooked teeth, that's not a problem at all.

Her teeth were never noticably crooked.  And after the braces, you couldn't see a difference.  But they sure improved her well-being.

That's one hell of a placebo...quote>

Never underestimate the power of the human mind. Placebos can go an awful long way.

Almost everything I've ever seen or read about concerning straight, healthy teeth puts it right up there with all those things. quote>

What on earth are you reading? Because in my experience that hasn't been the case at all.

Originally posted by: BlondeTwiggy I had braces for 3 years, no cavities. quote>

And I've never had braces and yet have had a grand total of five cavities filled. Bad teeth run in my family, you see. There's genetics to consider here. You probably have teeth that are naturally far more cavity resistant than mine.

In fact I think my teeth are cleaner now than before, but maybe that's because straighter teeth are easier to clean. quote>

Probably exactly the case.

And of course they aren't comfortable.  But it's totally worth it in my opinion. quote>

In your opinion. See, there's the issue. It's not worth it to me at all. Of course, I'm unusual in that I don't give a damn if I don't look pretty. If people don't like the way I look naturally, I'm not going to go and change my look just to please them. Way too superficial. I'm also unusual in that if it's a popular fad, I tend to specifically not like it.

The retainer isn't annoying though, just have to wear it at night & the permanent ones aren't uncomfortable at all. quote>

I dunno, having to sleep with something in my mouth every night seems like it would be pretty annoying. And so would keeping the thing clean and maintained, and remembering to put it in. Bear in mind, I find the fact that I have to to take medi

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

The dental health connection to overall health is not news. It is gaining ground as new connections are made between oral health and other problems.

But why does this thread exist? Is ST in need of dental services?

[SimRabbit 48]

this thread is merely adverstising http://www.rajkrishnan.com/

this is not news or any kind of off topic thing.

[Voar Tok 4]

Originally posted by: manticorefan The dental health connection to overall health is not news. It is gaining ground as new connections are made between oral health and other problems.

But why does this thread exist? Is ST in need of dental services?quote>

Obviously DuskTrooper was.

[Zelgadis 638]

Originally posted by: SimRabbit this thread is merely adverstising http://www.rajkrishnan.com/

this is not news or any kind of off topic thing.quote>

Well, it started a discussion anyway.  But too right.  I removed the blatant advertising. 

@Duke87:  In answer to your question as to where I get information.  I read.  A lot.  Time, Newsweek, New York Times, Washington Post, Toronto Star, Japan Times.  Seems I can't go very long without seeing an article in the health section related to holistic health and dental health. 

And clearly I'm not the only one who sees the connection.  Just look at most of the posts above this one. 

ISF

[Eastwinn 6]

I agree with Duke here. I'm stubborn in that I'm not going to believe that crooked teeth have an effect on over all health until I start feeling it. My top row of teeth are perfectly straight while my bottom row could use some work to become straight. I'd like my teeth straight, but I don't think I need it. I'll probably get braces, and I'll enjoy the easy cleaning and the nice feeling when I run my tongue across my teeth along with the so called 'placebo effect'. Until then, I''m happy with my train wreck.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: zelgadis  In answer to your question as to where I get information.  I read.  A lot.  Time, Newsweek, New York Times, Washington Post, Toronto Star, Japan Times.  Seems I can't go very long without seeing an article in the health section related to holistic health and dental health. quote>

Ugh. Don't even get me started on "holistic health".

Seriously, just because it's in the paper doesn't mean it's true. This especially applies in sections like "health" and "science". Because seriously, newspapers are about reporting news- science and medicine are not their forte. All they need is someone to submit the story and an audience that will believe it when they read it. They needn't actually prove that it's true before they publish it. They can't, newspaper editors don't know the first thing about those subjects.

I want actual scientific papers on studies which have found that oral health is directly connected with other aspects of health. And on studies which have found holistic health techniques to be effective. Until then, I remain skeptical.