Sunday Dental Thread: Short due to heat

[PCIntern]

but to the point.

I have developed a sincere concern during the past few years with respect to what is going on in the dental community in reference to the expected longevity of dental restorations. When I was a boy, dentists performed procedures which were expected to last at least 15 years, perhaps as many as 30, routinely. Silver amalgams, gold inlays, porcelain-fused-to-gold crowns, anterior composite restorations were good for years and years given that the patient brushed his or her teeth once or twice a day. Of course, there were always other factors which would shorten the life of a filling or crown, but those were somewhat extraneous, such as highly acidic or abrasive/crunchy diet and the like.

I was attending a continuing education course this spring and the presenter stated that this particular restoration could be expected to last 5-7 years. One of the audience raised her hand and asked if that was appropriate: that one could only expect 5-7 years!!!??? I felt her pain. What ensued was enlightening: the presenter stated, "You have to get past this business of dental restorations lasting forever. You have to look at this the way a car buyer needs to think about a car, that it lasts until it doesn't. And then you 'do it again'."

This is not the way I learned to practice dentistry, but it is the way of the present and the future. There were very few who were upset by this statement and in the old days, there would have ben a roar from the crowd and laughter AT the presenter. Not anymore.

Good night...and good luck.

[wurzel]

1. Dentistry. Just another racket.

[Big Blue Marble]

4. Your dental generalization is not appreciated or appropriate.

The practice of modern dentistry has greatly contributed to the health of our Society.
It has been shown that the longer you keep your teeth the longer you will live.

Need a root canal treated or a cavity filled? You will be grateful for your dentist.
Try living in a society without dentists. See how that works.

[BeHereNow]

5. Uh... I think you COMPLETELY missed the point of the OP.

But having read some of your other replies today, I am not surprised.
BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

9. I did not miss his point at all.

You are the one who is so quick to ignorantly disparage all of dentistry without a clue of what you
are talking about. Read my response down thread.

[BeHereNow]

12. Ummm- okay, what ever you say.

No one in the discussion has dissed the value of dentistry.
What the op was pointing out was the fact that what were once
procedures intended to LAST for a number of years no longer did.

WITH THE EXPRESS INTENT of generating MORE business,
not the health of the patient.

I'm sure PC will correct me if I am wrong.

You one the other hand seem to misunderstand just about everything
posted on this thread.

BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

14. I like your name, but not your game.

"no one in the discussion has dissed the value of dentistry."
Did you miss response one? You know the one I am responding to.
Did you think my response was to the OP?

And did you read my response below where I agree with
the OP? To quote you: " you one (sic) the other hand seem to misunderstand just about
everything..." i have said.

[BeHereNow]

15. I happen to agree with the "racket" reference.

I KNOW for a fact that my dentist charged my insurance company
for procedures he did NOT perform.

That's a RACKET.

Dental health is VERY important to over all health, no doubt.

Unfortunately, the practice has become about profit, not health.
No game there-
I was unable to have procedures I NEEDED to have because
my dentist burned through my allowance by charging for
things he NEVER did.
THAT IS A RACKET.

BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

20. You make my point about generalizing.

Yes you had a bad experience with a particular dentist. Now you want to conclude
that all dentists are crooked. How rational is that?

Yes dentistry is a business. Businesses need money to stay in business, to pay their venders
and their employees. Businesses can be ethical or unethical. Dentists can be ethical or unethical.
I know many dentists and I assure you most of them are ethical and deeply concerned that their
patients get the very best care. But the way that is just not ethical, that is good business.

As I said elsewhere, if your dentist cheated you have the ethical responsibility to report him not
just bitch on internet forums about how all dentists are corrupt. Dentists do not like the bad
apples either. Report him.

[BeHereNow]

22. You need to re read the OP.

The closing statement by PC, and summation of his concern,
was that AFTER the presenter reduced the dental practice to
how to generate repeat business more quickly, none of the dentists reacted
to the idea as a violation of ethics in the practice.

I'm fairly certain that was PC's point.

As a patient, I concur.

BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

26. Be Here Now, please, please read my comments in comment #8.

That is the one where I agree with the OP. I explain some of the reasons why this happens
and why I think that it is not a good thing.

I am not on this thread to fight with you. I do not appreciate that fact that because you
disagree with me and because you have been victimized that you repeatedly attack me as being stupid.

I assure you that I am very knowledgeable in the issues of dentistry. I see that you
have been wronged and need redress. I support you and ask that you take action with
both your state dental board and your insurance company. I am also asking you
recognize that most dentists are good people doing good work and we should be
very grateful they are with us.

[BeHereNow]

28. BBB, I seen your work on other threads today, and sorry, I'm not buying.

Done.
See ya.

BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

29. How clever of you.

My work on other thread? Please without stealing this thread be more specific. (Oh, I guess you and
I already sort of did that.) Or are hit and runs your style?

Edit to add so after arguing with me for over an hour and ironically questioning my reading comprehension
you finally read my response. You know the one in which I completely agree with OP.
And now you say you just do not believe me Whatever.

[BeHereNow]

31. BBB- You have NO idea how many posters like you I have encountered on DU over the years.

I know better than to continue to engage with you.
As I said-
DONE.

Try it with some one less experienced.
BHN

[FloridaJudy]

52. I agree to a point

I used to have dental insurance, and went to a dentist who was in their group. The guy was really quick to perform procedures he was well compensated for. Unfortunately other stuff that didn't pay so well, he was reluctant to do. He didn't charge for things he didn't do, but I'm convinced a lot of things he did do weren't what was called for.

Several years later, I'm - literally - paying through the teeth for his neglect, having to have root canals on teeth he should have crowned when I was his patient. My present dentist doesn't take insurance, but then I no longer have it. She's pricey, but the work she does is phenomenal. Those teeth she's restored will probably last longer than I do.

[BeHereNow]

19. For the record BBB, I at NO point disparaged dentistry on this thread-

I DO on the other hand disparage the RACKET, yes RACKET
of deliberately manipulating restoration work with the EXPRESS
intent of causing it not to last in order to force a patient
to repeat the work sooner.
And I am LIVID at the fact that my dentist billed my insurance
falsely.

Any more stupid comments or questions about my stand?

BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

21. You really, really have a chip on your shoulder.

Gee does insulting me help you feel better? It must because you keep doing it.

If you are so livid, stop playing the victim and report it.

As for disparaging dentistry, when you agreed with the first response you
did just that.

[BeHereNow]

24. No chip here- just sick and tired of posts like yours which COMPLETELY miss the point

and twist the intentions and communications of other posters
on a thread.

I have asked PC what I need to do as far as
the dentist in question.

If you don't mind, I think I'll wait for his reply.
Thank you for your concern.

BHN

[L0oniX]

16. Check out where she's from and that won't be a surprised either.

:evilgrin:

[BeHereNow]

17. Now, now... I was born there myself. Louisville to be exact.

I don't think the location of the poster is the problem.
I think perhaps is is a reading comprehension impairment.
Or perhaps the problem lies with the motivation in posting?
As in have you seen the shit stick stirrer lately?

LOL-
BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

23. Wow, insulting me because I am from Kentucky.

Just how bigoted is that? And you are the one who sounds amazingly ignorant
not I.

[Big Blue Marble]

43. delete

[Warpy]

7. Check out life without it sometime

People lived in hideous pain as their teeth rotted. Some died from the infections that spread to their bones, hearts or brains. If they were lucky, the infections forced their teeth out of their gums quickly and then healed, leaving them toothless.

Most people were nearly toothless by 40. There wasn't any fluoride in the water to help keep their enamel hard and impervious to decay.

In cultures where the diet required teeth, such people died of starvation if the infection hadn't killed them.

If you want to spend your life in pain and die young of a preventable infection, avoid dentists and their "temporary" restorations.

(why do you think people in old photos never smile? NO DENTISTS)

[raccoon]

61. Excellent point, about the people in old photos.

"Most people were nearly toothless by 40. " Yes, until fairly recently in the US (for most people). And today many people are nearly toothless by 40, if they didn't have access to dentists and the money to get their teeth fixed.

There is a positive correlation between having good teeth in your middle age/old age and your socioeconomic status. Look around, nobody needs to do a study to see that.

[Crunchy Frog]

48. You sound like an anti-dentite.

[patrice]

2. I've been wondering about this when I see those commercials on TV for dental veneers.

I think of what my nail-beds were like when I decided to stop wearing "silk" nail-tips (which I had been doing for a few years). I wonder what people are having done to their teeth in order to get a set of those dental veneers.

[Big Blue Marble]

11. The good news that new veneers do not require much if any

preparation of the teeth. The older ones did. And once you had them placed,
you were stuck with needing replacements for life.

[Overseas]

3. Sad to see planned obsolescence hit, but we do have Healthcare for Profit in the USA. /nt

[BeHereNow]

6. AS a patient, I agree completely.

I had a crown done, at great expense, a few years ago.
A FEW years ago, mind you.
I can feel the tooth I was trying to save undergoing problems as I type.

Shortly after the procedure, who I figured out later had
billed my insurance company THOUSANDS for things never done,
unceremoniously dumped me as a patient which I find highly suspect.

Can you advise me as to my legal rights a s a dental patient
as far as getting my molds, records, x-rays etc?

I wouldn't mind copies of his billing to my insurance company either.
Any chance of that?

BHN

[Big Blue Marble]

18. If your dentist claimed thousands for treatment never done,

you have a responsibility to report him/her to the insurance company for that is insurance
fraud and a felony. The dentist would be charged for violating the law, most, lose his or her
license and possible go to prison.

You should also report this dentist to your state dental board.

You as a patient have the right to request copies of all your dental records.
As to any claims he filed to insurance company, your insurance company would
have sent you an explanation of benefits statement.

As for your crowned tooth having problems, it is sadly normal for a significant percentage
of crown-treated teeth to need further treatment especially root canal treatment as I stated
in my response to the OP.

[Wakingupnow]

42. As a dentist, I can tell you that Big Blue Marble is right on in what she advises

Do what BBB is saying. You have a legal right to receive a copy of your dental records,
(notes, ex-rays, etc.). You should have received copies of claims filed by your dentist
from your insurance company. If there are procedures that weren't done, this IS serious
and is illegal. Report it, and I am assuming you have found a new dentist. Some dentists
come from fear and greed, but there are many who are "good apples." You deserve better.
Good luck

[Big Blue Marble]

8. You do know that insurance companies support the five year life

of crowns? They will pay for replacements every five years.

I agree that lab restorations with excellent margins should last up to 20 years or better.
Few patients want durable gold restorations anymore. None-metal crowns just do not
last as long. And many dentists do not give enough attention to the margin fit of crowns.
They do not need to if the crown can be replaced so often.

It is not just your pocket book that is at risk for frequent crown replacement. Every time
a tooth is drilled and treated, it is more at risk for root failure as well.

[undeterred]

10. I've been feeling frustrated about restorations

which only lasted 10-15 years. I guess I've been very lucky.

[BeHereNow]

13. Try the ones that only last a few years... like mine.

I think PC was remarking on the fact that the practice
of short term restorations are now common practice,
versus long term, expressly in the interest of
promoting more return business.

At least that's what I got out of the
"get over it and treat the patient as someone
who will need a new car sooner" as the result
of short term vs longevity restorations.

Perhaps I misunderstood, but I don't think so
having been a victim of the fraud encouraged by those
who stand to benefit.

BHN

[JerseygirlCT]

25. I've said it before; I'll say it again - thank goodness for

dentists like you to counteract those who see this as nothing more than a way to make money.

They should be horribly ashamed of themselves.

[BeHereNow]

27. AMEN! finally someone replies who actually READ the OP and GETS IT!!!

You made my day Jersygirl.

As you may have noticed, until now this has been an exercise in

:banghead:

as far as discussion goes.

BHN

[JerseygirlCT]

32. Yeah, I didn't understand where things went so off the track

I'd much prefer a dentist whose first interest is the patient's well-being than whose first priority is building redundant sales.

I had a dentist once like that - suggested my husband get every filling in his mouth replaced. He was smart enough to literally get up and leave and never come back. She obviously only saw dollar signs when he sat down.

My dentist now bought a thriving practice from a sweet old-fashioned guy who would literally have done anything for a patient. I had more than once been instructed to call him at home on a Sunday morning so he could check on me after a nasty infection. The new guy doesn't go that far - and he's modernized the practice a bit sometimes to his benefit, but overall the ethos is still good care, not good money.

[Sal Minella]

30. I have a gold inlay still doing fine 54 years later. I wonder if "functional" dental work tends to

last longer than "cosmetic" dental work.

[Blue Diadem]

33. Question: Is it the new composition of material that is making them not last as long?

Or are you saying that Dentists will now be replacing perfectly good restorations just because the life expectancy has run its course?

I ask because I had some replacement fillings done about 5-6 yrs ago. I wasn't having any problems with the original but I'd had them for 15 yrs or so and I believed the Dentist when he said they needed replacement. Then last year, a different dentist told me that they again needed replacement. He said there was deterioration around the filling, but nothing was visible to me and I had no pain or problems with those teeth. I'm curious if I'm going to have to have these replaced every 5 years now.

[Hekate]

37. I have the same question--is it the new "white" material that is at fault?

I have just gotten my first implant, which is supposed to last forever since it is literally screwed into my jaw. Because of childhood dental work my head is full of teeth that are full of fillings, and I too have been surprised that the new ones don't seem to last nearly as long as the old ones that were so demonized because of the mercury. Thank gods we have been able to afford my dental restorations so far -- root canals and crowns galore.

The idea that dentists literally think their restorations should have such a short life is appalling, and I'd like to know why. Most people don't get dental benefits (even ours covers only a fraction of the actual cost), and retirees are basically SOL.

Hekate

[PCIntern]

39. Partially...

Dentists who perform there restorations will tell you that theirs are wonderful and that I'm full of crap. This is a possibillity.

Since 1/4 of my work involves replacement of composites or placing crowns on teeth which have and root canal because of recurrent decay under composites, well...you get the drift.

If the restoration is placed very very well, it will last.

I trust that although insurance reimbursement is 60% of the 'list price', I'm sure that all dentists are extraordinarily careful in placing them really really well.

Now watch this swing...

[PCIntern]

34. Wow...

I leave for a couple hours and another fight breaks out...WTF is happening to our little community?

For the record, my point was that 'modern' cosmetic dentistry has taken a whole new tack and people had best better get ready to re-reconstruct routinely. I could go on and on, but I'll save everyone's energy.

Bottom line (I hate that statement): Gold and amalgam margins, when performed reasonably well last much much longer than composite margins and restorations performed with the same degree of care. Veneers are very very tricky and are not a panacea and need to be treatment planned very carefully.

It's complex. Sorry, but it is.

As far as the individual who was apparently cheated, I'm sorry about that - it happens now and again. It is by no means de riguer, but I think you know that.

Cheers.

[Vinca]

35. I've got dental work in my head nearly 3 decades old and

in good condition. We had a dentist for years and years who was crazier than a bedbug, but an absolute magician when it came to his profession. He was so quirky, I don't think I ever had a real conversation with him, but I've missed him ever since he retired about 10 years ago.

[PCIntern]

36. I personally know about

200 dentists just like yours. Interestingly, that's why they went into the profession: they recognized at a young age that they wanted to do some sort of medicine, but you can't practice in isolation as a doc...you sort of can as a dentist. Sort of...at least, you could. I don't know if that's still true.

You don't really have to 'get along' with specialists: they're all so hungry that they'd work with Dr. Hannibal Lecter if he'd send them patients routinely!

[Vinca]

38. That's interesting. I always thought the isolationist types would end up

as pathologists or radiologists. As a patient, you sort of appreciate that kind of dentist as opposed to the ones who try to carry on a conversation while you're sitting there with a mouthful of gauze and tubes. This particular dentist - I'm turning this into an ode for Pete's sake - was doing veneers long before it was a common practice. Since I was on the wrong end of the procedure, I'm hard pressed to tell you what it was, but they lasted for decades, too. He was a genius.

[PCIntern]

40. Early veneers worked best as far as I'm concerned...

for a variety of technical reasons, including case selection. Now, if you have a Mastercard or Visa, you're eligible.

[Wakingupnow]

41. A Second Opinion from a dentist with 38 years of experience

This thread caught my attention, and although I rarely post, I just have to jump in here with
some comments. As far as how long dental restorations last, please remember that human teeth
last more than 10,000 years, without decay! Skulls are unearthed that are that old, and even
though the person is gone,their teeth remain. Tooth decay and gum disease developed only when
humans started messing with their diets and environments, creating the conditions that undermine
the internal defense system of teeth (a "slow drip irrigation system" that pumps nutrients into
the tooth --see research by Ralph Steinmann, around 1964), allow decay-causing bacteria to fluorish
and to have parts of the tooth to dissolve.

Observations of "primitive" people worldwide in the 1930s showed beautiful teeth and smiles
and no signs of degenerative dental disease until after the "benefits" of processed food and
modern-day stresses became manifest.

How can we become upset if the very best man-made restorative materials fail when we are capable
of damaging a tooth with a 10,000 year potential within 2 or 3 years after it comes into the mouth?
Over thirty years ago, I had to open my eyes to learn that #1, mercury-silver amalgam fillings
were damaging teeth. Because they expand and contract with temperature changes (like all metals),
the fillings, especially the larger ones, act like wedges used to split firewood. It also became
apparent that decay could develop under the fillings. Also, the mercury in the fillings (making
up more than 50% of the filling) never really "sets" and escapes as a vapor forever. (see the video
of "the smoking tooth" at http://iaomt.org/videos/ which vividly demonstrates mercury vapor coming from
a 25-year old filling).

We focus on doing the best treatment possible, using the best materials currently available (they
are getting better all the time) and still know that restorations have to be replaced. Dental insurance
companies are notoriously less than generous, and if they are willing to reimburse restorations
after five years, it means that is a reasonable period of service for many restorations. Having
restorations last longer is like having a car that has exceeded its warranty but is still providing
good service, something for which we can all be grateful.

[PCIntern]

44. The morbidity and mortality of Hg use

is far less, no matter how you scale it, than the results of poorly placed composites which lead to dental disease/abscess and the concomitant seeding of the bloodstream with anaerobic bacteria which can and do cause coronary artery blockages leading to MI and/or stroke.

And that's assuming that Hg is a problem which I for one do not believe that it is. The studies which state so are still classified as 'junk science'...but even if you concede every point, composites do not hold up. Speaking of causing fractures, the bonded restorations place an enormous force on residual cusps and post-operative pain due to this is not uncommon - occasionally, we have to drill a line down thru the composite to relieve the tension. As far as metals changing dimensionally due to temperature changes intraorally, it is negligible. It is more accurate to state that teeth flex under masticatory forces and the bond breaks...something we often see in class V (gum line) fillings...that's why they -pop-. Composites are more prone to that than mechanically retained amalgam restorations.

As far as decay, you require three things to have decay occur: bacterial plaque. substrate (like a Milky Way bar), and a susceptible tooth surface. 10000 years with no Milky Way bars is a long time.

.

[Wakingupnow]

47. Perhaps you didn' know

that the FDA is revising its position on dental amalgam. You and I are most likely ADA members and have
been told for decades about the safety of amalgam. There are political, financial and legal ramifications
to this issue. My job is not to convince but to ask that you possibly take another look. Many
younger dentists are choosing to not use amalgam anymore and most patients, given the choice between tooth-color or dark fillings, prefer more esthetic restorations.

http://medheadlines.com/2008/06/13/mercury-fillings-risky-to-pregnant-women-children-fda-revises-ruling/">link

I regularly see fractured cusps from older amalgams. I also see fracture lines developing at
the edges of amalgam fillings. I tell these patients that they were "lucky" that just a cusp
broke instead of the tooth splitting down the middle. That results in tooth loss and the
need for prosthetic replacement. I agree that biting forces can be very destructive and
need to be considered and corrected when possible.

[PCIntern]

49. Really...

no kidding.

I hate to be 'contrary', and it pains me to do so...but the problems which are associated with composites are so much treater than those with amalgams that it's just staggering: pulpal sensitivity, often irreversible, fractured tooth syndrome due to flexing of cusps during bond curing, galloping recurrent decay since there's no metal patina and plugging of microleakage, ditching at the margins, wearing of the occlusal leading to premature posterior bite collapse with anterior teeth flaring, the list just goes on and on. But you know what...go ahead and place them, make your endodontists happy...you know the in-joke...what do endodontists call dentists who routinely place composites? Answer: an annuity.

As far as the ADA goes, no I don't belong because they are politically self-destructive and sold the profession and the patients out years ago to te insurance companies and continue to do so. Make no assumptions about me and also realize that I was university affiliated for two decades myself with two teaching awards in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. I know what's moving the ADA and what isn't and God help the people of this country: this is going to be a public-health disaster. But what do I know?

I defy almost anyone to place a DOBL composite on #17 in a hypersalivating individual which lasts longer than it takes for the check to clear the bank. The point is, that they start leaking immediately.

But..feel free. We'll talk again about this in 12 years when the lawsuits are piling up. Oh yes, I do expert testimony as well in malpractice defense here in Pennsylvania and it's getting harder and harder to convince judges, jurors, and opposing counsel that the 10 restorations which the patient had which lasted 25+ years were WORSE than the 5 replacements which didn't last 2 years and led to 5 endos, posts and cores, and crowns.

[Wakingupnow]

53. The dental list does go on and on

We have to face it--everything we do is a compromise. For years I struggled with composite problems-esp. sensitivity and multiple return visits for bite adjustments. When I used a more powerful curing light and switched to a better bonding resin that seals dentin tubules, there was no longer the problem of uncured resin irritating the tooth, the sensitivity and adjustments stopped for the most part. The composites of 1980 wore heavily, and the margins failed. Now they are stronger, and if the material is placed in layers, the flexing of cusps when cured stops. By using air abrasion, small defects at the margins can be repaired very nicely without having to remove and replace the entire restoration.

There are cases of people who have been shown to have high levels of mercury in their body, and the World Health Organization has documented that the largest source of mercury accumulation in humans come from amalgam fillings. Just as the canaries in coal mines are more sensitive to deadly gas, some patients are acutely sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury. After all, mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive element on the planet. If we no longer use mercury-containing medicines and can no longer purchase blood pressure monitors or thermometers containing mercury, why would we think that mercury from fillings is harmless?

I applaud your dropping out of the ADA. I consider myself a member of the "loyal opposition" and believe that the organization has sold out for less honorable reasons. Most dentists do not know that if a patient sues a dentist for a mercury-related problem (i.e. no health problems prior to placement, problem developing after placement, problem goes away after replacement), the ADA has successfully been excused from litigation since they claim they don't manufacture the material or place it or even make the decision to place it.

As for a hypersalivating patient about to have a large filling on the lower left wisdom tooth, it reminds me of the old joke that says doing dentistry is like working on a fine Swiss watch, looking upside down in a mirror while someone is spitting on your fingers! A challenge indeed; one answer is to use a rubber dam I use one whenever possible. It's not necessarily comfortable, but it does improve the quality and longevity of restorations. We tell the patients: "It's called a rubber dam, but some patients reverse the order of the words when they describe it to their friends!"

Also, as one who testifies in malpractice cases, you may have a somewhat distorted view since you do see the failures and don't see the many successes. I personally had my five small amalgam fillings removed and replaced with composite over 25 years ago. They have minimal wear, no marginal leakage or chips. I see similar results with many of our patients.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

54. Thank you for that statement.

Mercury fillings crack and fall apart, and crack the tooth. I had two molars that that happened to. First I had root canals, then I had the teeth pulled when I went to a dentist who does NOT do Hg fillings. She cleaned out the infected root tips (anaerobic bacteria) and also the cavitations from my wisdom teeth being pulled in 1973. She replaced my fillings with Cerex.

I refuse to go to dentists who think Hg is harmless. I chewed out one dentist who put in a Hg filling, despite my writing on my chart when filling out my history "I do not want mercury fillings because they are dangerous". She completely ignored that.

I refuse to believe that Hg has to be handled as a hazardous material before it goes in your mouth, and after it comes out of your mouth it's hazardous and toxic, but while it's IN your mouth, it's perfectly fine?????

:wtf:

It can't be GOOD for you, in any event, in spite of the ADA propaganda.

[PCIntern]

56. You are certainly entitled to your informed opinion.

I for one, an environmentalist long before in was in vogue to be one, trained in the dental profession, and with, as the other dentist stated over thirty years of experience, disagree.

[Mika]

45. Sometimes I tell a patient...

'If the teeth that God made failed, what do you expect from me?'. LOL (Then I go ahead and make them kick ass restorations.)

No two mouths are the same. Every well considered case is hard.

[PCIntern]

46. True enough, bro. n/t

[BeHereNow]

50. I'm so glad you decided to jump in! Welcome to DU.

I've learned a great deal from your posts on this thread.
BHN

[SPKrazy]

51. Dentists who are only in it for the money

are as worthless as every other industry with planned obsolescence

:grr:

[nolabels]

55. I would guess you must have perfect teeth also

:evilgrin:

[eShirl]

57. I'm about this close to saying f* it and have all my teeth pulled (like one of my siblings did)

but not sure I'm ready to enter the glorious world of full dentures...

[PCIntern]

60. sometimes, it's the right thing to do.

It surprises people when I say that, but it isn't the worst thing in the world for many people.

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PCIntern]

59. I've been expecting you...

A belated welcome to DU.