I know amalgam fillings are more durable. However, they also require drilling away more of the tooth. Given this, which is a better choice for filling a molar in the long run for a young person?
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posted by Comet Bug
on May 21, 2013 -
15 answers
It's the middle of the night, I'm out of town, and I'm in pain from my tooth. Please help me figure out what my next step is.
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posted by insectosaurus
on Apr 17, 2013 -
11 answers
I have fillings that need to be replaced, and I need to decide whether I want amalgam or composite fillings. I may also need a new crown, and I need to decide whether I want the basic option or to upgrade. How do I decide?
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posted by insectosaurus
on Mar 26, 2013 -
9 answers
So, I cracked one of my lower molars and it now needs to be crowned. My dentist is planning to perform a root canal on the tooth before crowning it, but I'm not sure if it is necessary.
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posted by defreckled
on Feb 5, 2013 -
12 answers
Dental tourism? I want to have several dental implants and bone grafts done in the next year and am willing to travel for excellent dental service. I am looking for truly amazing dental implant experts in Europe and the United States I should be looking at. I am based in England. English recs welcome.
posted by anonymous
on Oct 3, 2012 -
3 answers
Good afternoon. I am in the market for a doctor, of the general practitioner variety, a dentist and a new laboratory in NYC. Any referrals you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
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posted by jason's_planet
on Aug 4, 2012 -
9 answers
I had untreated cavities. Now my boyfriend has cavities and his dentist blames me and says we shouldn't kiss. To what degree is this true?
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posted by elklet
on Apr 30, 2012 -
22 answers
I will be having a root canal soon, but the dentist has told me that the damage to the tooth may not be treatable by the root canal, and that other action may be necessary. He's given me a few options to consider, and has asked me to pick one.
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posted by smilingtiger
on Apr 17, 2012 -
18 answers
A rear molar (#30 for you dental fans) had a chip missing but was otherwise asymptomatic but my dentist recommended a gold crown before the tooth broke and caused greater problems. I followed his advise and while wearing the temporary crown I noticed a new, distinct and very painful sensitivity to cold. He dismissed it as a fluke and installed the permanent crown, but the sensitivity remains and now I can't eat anything frozen without agony. He x-rayed the tooth and found no structural issues, nor did he find any leaks in the seating. He claims that the problem is just routine cold sensitivity and advised aggressive fluoride, but with no prior problem isn't it more likely that he screwed up something and, if so, what?
posted by Jamesonian
on Nov 9, 2011 -
6 answers
The epithelial tissue in my mouth sheds itself daily. Up until today I had no idea that this was abnormal.
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posted by stray
on Sep 15, 2011 -
32 answers
You Are Not My Dentist-filter: Tooth filled with composite (white) filling six months ago. This week, it's started hurting when chewing or when drinking hot drinks. Why?
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posted by mippy
on Jun 30, 2011 -
14 answers
Help! My old dentist screwed up my teeth and now I live 500 miles away and need a possible root canal. Is there any way to get a reimbursement for the work that was done?
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posted by tessalations999
on Apr 24, 2011 -
8 answers
I have a dental issue (broken crown) but I'm not in my home country and won't be back for a week. I'm not in pain and I can probably live with it for now. Would waiting a week to see a dentist be detrimental?
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posted by cabingirl
on Jan 17, 2011 -
12 answers
I've got a bum tooth up front, and want to get a crown -- do I need to bother trying to bleach/whiten my teeth ahead of time, or just go with whatever shade I am now as a match?
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posted by liquado
on Nov 18, 2010 -
9 answers
My dentist just told me I need an immediate implant (he also discussed bridge and orthodontic retainer options with me, but I am told the tooth needs to be extracted
pronto.) Should I be gathering second opinions/additional price quotes, or should I continue treating this as Urgent?
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posted by endless_forms
on Nov 18, 2010 -
22 answers
Pain when chewing with a composite filling. Will I need (yet another) root canal? And what's up with my teeth, anyway?!
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posted by PhoBWanKenobi
on May 10, 2010 -
7 answers
I'm scared of going to the dentist. How do I find one that will understand and how do I prepare myself for going to my first appointment in years?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 16, 2009 -
22 answers
My question is two fold: is there a product on the market that can remove or at least loosen hardened plaque on the teeth? And, is there any actual damage being done to my teeth by just leaving the plaque there?
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posted by caveat
on Aug 27, 2009 -
24 answers
Another Dental Insurance Question: My Delta Dental starts on Sept. 1st, but they won't cover fillings until Mar. 1. What happens if I have a filling done before Mar. 1?
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posted by stewiethegreat
on Aug 7, 2009 -
10 answers
No Insurance-Filter: I suspect I need some minor dental work done, where can I get it done cheaply and quickly in NYC? Caveat: No Insurance, but some savings.
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posted by The Whelk
on May 20, 2009 -
8 answers
Dental filter: I just visited a dentist who told me that I chipped one of my molars and that I'd need a crown for it. He said that since I'm not really having pain associated with it (it's a little sensitive, but that's it) I don't need to have a root canal. Is getting a crown instead of a root canal wise?
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posted by theefixedstars
on May 6, 2009 -
11 answers
My three year old just had his filling break off (or fall out) his front tooth a mere seven days after having a dental procedure. Needless to say, it looks AWFUL. Is there some dental technique I should ask my dentist about to get something that will provide a more permanent(ish) solution until his adult teeth come in? Lots more below.
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posted by swilkerson
on Apr 18, 2009 -
15 answers
I have a carny mouth. Should I get dental insurance before I decide to take care of it? No pain, but several cavities and a few teeth (including two wisdom teeth) have been rotting and falling apart for several years. 4-6 years ago, a dental school said that it would cost 4-5 thousand dollars and take 3-4 visits to fix. That doesn't include getting them whitened or anything cosmetic. Today, one of my molars broke in half and I swallowed it with some wasabi trail mix. That tooth only had a little speck of a cavity yesterday.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 9, 2009 -
19 answers
My husband will be getting a couple of dental bridges and I am looking for reassurance and advice.
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posted by feathermeat
on Feb 12, 2009 -
12 answers
In search of a great dentist in either North or Central Florida who doesn't charge exorbitant fees.
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posted by dicaxpuella
on Jan 7, 2009 -
3 answers
I seem to have chipped a tiny bit of my upper-left wisdom tooth. My dental insurance also ran out a month ago. Now what?
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posted by special-k
on Nov 29, 2008 -
16 answers
Can you please recommend a dentist in Washington DC? I am almost certainly going to need a couple fillings, or maybe root canals, so I want to make sure I've got the right dentist for the job!
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posted by allen8219
on Aug 22, 2008 -
12 answers
I've just had 3 white enamel fillings in the bottom-left corner of my mouth. Looking in the mirror, I now have a small bluish-gray mark at the nearest 'peak' of each molar. Should I be worried?
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posted by Kirn
on Aug 21, 2008 -
3 answers
My girlfriend's dentist is pushing her to get a crown on a tooth with several fillings. I'm skeptical because she has no pain, he doesn't see anything wrong with it, and he pushed her last year too. Should she listen to him, get a second opinion (any suggestions for Portland, OR?), or ignore him?
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posted by msalt
on May 30, 2008 -
26 answers
I keep losing the same buckle filling again and again. Should I just suck it up and tell my dentist to give me a cap instead?
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posted by Unicorn on the cob
on Apr 28, 2008 -
7 answers
