Post by letsconnect on Aug 13, 2005 20:52:27 GMT -5
Reading other message boards, it has come to my attention that this scam is reasonably common, so I'd like to comment on it here:
(1) There are some dentists out there who will recommend replacement of all amalgam ("silver") fillings in the absence of defects (leaking, i. e. not providing a complete seal). The reasons provided vary, but basically, they're all of an ideological nature (ranging from "amalgam is poison" to "amalgam cracks teeth" to "I always find some sort of decay under amalgams"). None of these is actually supported by research. Much of it is emotional and/or ideological in nature (including specific post-graduate training courses).
(2) Of course, there are instances in which amalgam fillings need replacing (e. g. they're damaged, there's recurrent decay around the edges, etc.), but contrary to what you might read on some websites, they can and do last 20-40 years+ with good care.
(3) There are some dentists out there who will ask "leading questions" such as "are you completely happy with your smile? Is there anything you'd like to change about your smile?" (this phenomenon is more prominent in the US, but also popular among some Canadian dentists, and I've recently spotted it on isolated UK websites). Obviously, the answer for most people would be "yes"... Unless the person being questioned is superbly confident in themselves, such questioning can lead to major self-doubt and dissatifaction with one's appearance. The reasoning behind the questions is that this (unnecessary) dentistry generates dollars. If you feel that a dentist tries to make you feel bad, if only by "hinting", don't hesitate to switch. Personally, I hate websites which have FAQs along the lines of "Can you replace those ugly black metal fillings?" (note the emotional overtones).
(4) On the other hand, it is true that some people are desparately unhappy with amalgam fillings, and ask for replacement. This is OK as long your dentist explains to you what the cons are (and there are cons). You need to be aware that posterior composites (that is, white fillings on back teeth) are not as easy to place properly as amalgams, so your dentist's technical skills in this area are really important. On the other hand, for new fillings, white fillings are often preferable because less tooth structure needs to be removed to place them. Think carefully though before getting amalgam fillings replaced for cosmetic purposes (rather than because they are failing, in which case they SHOULD be replaced). Dental phobics tend to be fantastic observers of other people's teeth - don't assume anyone else is going to be as obsessive about it as you may be. Most people either won't notice or won't care.
(1) There are some dentists out there who will recommend replacement of all amalgam ("silver") fillings in the absence of defects (leaking, i. e. not providing a complete seal). The reasons provided vary, but basically, they're all of an ideological nature (ranging from "amalgam is poison" to "amalgam cracks teeth" to "I always find some sort of decay under amalgams"). None of these is actually supported by research. Much of it is emotional and/or ideological in nature (including specific post-graduate training courses).
(2) Of course, there are instances in which amalgam fillings need replacing (e. g. they're damaged, there's recurrent decay around the edges, etc.), but contrary to what you might read on some websites, they can and do last 20-40 years+ with good care.
(3) There are some dentists out there who will ask "leading questions" such as "are you completely happy with your smile? Is there anything you'd like to change about your smile?" (this phenomenon is more prominent in the US, but also popular among some Canadian dentists, and I've recently spotted it on isolated UK websites). Obviously, the answer for most people would be "yes"... Unless the person being questioned is superbly confident in themselves, such questioning can lead to major self-doubt and dissatifaction with one's appearance. The reasoning behind the questions is that this (unnecessary) dentistry generates dollars. If you feel that a dentist tries to make you feel bad, if only by "hinting", don't hesitate to switch. Personally, I hate websites which have FAQs along the lines of "Can you replace those ugly black metal fillings?" (note the emotional overtones).
(4) On the other hand, it is true that some people are desparately unhappy with amalgam fillings, and ask for replacement. This is OK as long your dentist explains to you what the cons are (and there are cons). You need to be aware that posterior composites (that is, white fillings on back teeth) are not as easy to place properly as amalgams, so your dentist's technical skills in this area are really important. On the other hand, for new fillings, white fillings are often preferable because less tooth structure needs to be removed to place them. Think carefully though before getting amalgam fillings replaced for cosmetic purposes (rather than because they are failing, in which case they SHOULD be replaced). Dental phobics tend to be fantastic observers of other people's teeth - don't assume anyone else is going to be as obsessive about it as you may be. Most people either won't notice or won't care.
.
!