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Archives for July 2017

Am I Being Taken Advantage of By My “Affordable Dentist”?

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I’d neglected to take care of my dental needs for a long time. We’re a single income family so all my money goes to my children’s  care. Though I started feeling my gums hurt so I decided I’ll have to go in. I called around to find the most competent, yet affordable, dentist possible. I went and he suggested I come in for monthly treatments to get my mouth healthy.  It’s been two years and outside of being a little whiter, shouldn’t they look much better by now? I thought by now he’d have at least suggested braces or something. Is he just milking me along?

Louisa A.

Louisa,

It’s admirable that you’re doing everything you can to get adequate dental care for both you and your children. I understand it is a struggle. There are a couple of things going on here. My first speculation is that you’re being treated for gum disease. That’s the only real explanation for monthly dental visits.

I’m concerned about the fact that he hasn’t explained why you’re coming in monthly. You should always understand the purpose behind every dental visit you have.

While I don’t necessarily feel like this affordable dentist is milking you, I’m also concerned that’s it’s been two years and you’re still having to go in monthly. If the gum disease is that severe, you need to see a specialist.

No other significant care can be started until your gum disease is dealt with. You’re at risk of losing your teeth. It’s that serious. Replacing lost teeth can get very expensive. Braces will make that danger even more likely.

All that being said, it might not be a bad idea to get a second opinion before moving forward. Some dentists even do free second opinions.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Bolt.

There’s a gray line at the top of my tooth. Am I Sick?

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I’ve developed a gray line at the top of my tooth. It’s on the same tooth as my crown. The crown itself is fine. Does that mean their’s something wrong with me? I’ve heard a white line on your nails means arsenic poisoning, does this line mean I’ve been poisoned by something?

Sally A.

Dear Sally,

Those white lines you’re referring to are called Mees’ lines. That particular symptom often makes an appearance in mystery plots.  The gray line at your gumline is a mystery much more easily solved and a lot less malicious.  I haven’t examined you, but I’d almost be willing to bet that you have a porcelain fused to metal crown.

These type of crowns tend to be a little opaque to cover their metal base. Additionally, they tend to develop a gray line right where you’ve described.

There’s no way to “repair” the problem without replacing the crown. If you do and get a metal-based crown again you’ll end up with the same problem. My suggestion would be to get an all-porcelain crown.  These don’t have the drawbacks mentioned above.

I hope this puts your mind at ease.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Raymond Bolt.

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