I'm thinking of having a lingual frenectomy (clipping the frenum that attaches the tongue to the mouth). My frenum is very short and restricts my tongue movement quite a bit. I can move it side to side but can't move it up and down very well and can't stick my tongue out straight (just down about 1/4 inch past my lower lip. This makes me very self conscious when it comes to kissing and other romantic activities (I date women). Have any of you mefites had this procedure done as an adult? Was your speech affected in any way? What's the healing time like? Was it worth it?
posted on Aug 6, 2008 - 7 answers

"Bioesthetic" dentistry: expensive quackery or my last best chance at a pain-free life? [more inside]
posted on May 21, 2008 - 5 answers

I recently bought a Sonicare. I like how it makes my teeth feel cleaner than they had been, and anecdotal evidence from others suggests it's going to help my gums. But I really can't figure out how the toothpaste works with this thing. [more inside]
posted on May 7, 2008 - 10 answers

What is going on with my teeth / gums (very disgusting stuff inside)? If you, like me, do not like to hear or see sensitive parts of the body going wrong, please do not read this question. [more inside]
posted on Apr 16, 2008 - 15 answers

Dental Sealant: Should I have the treatment? [more inside]
posted on Apr 14, 2008 - 10 answers

How exactly would one procure, care for, and live with a set of metal teeth -- especially if they were pointy? [more inside]
posted on Mar 29, 2008 - 12 answers

Would it be safe/beneficial to wear my old retainer again? My teeth have started moving! [more inside]
posted on Feb 10, 2008 - 17 answers

What are some good books focusing on dental anthropology and evolution? [more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2007 - 3 answers

I have pretty severe TMJ for my age (early 20s) that has been getting worse. My dentist seems competent (I think), but also kind of . . . kooky. Could other AskMefites, especially TMJ sufferers, weigh in on him and his methods? [more inside]
posted on Aug 5, 2007 - 16 answers

My sister is getting her wisdom teeth taken out... and I dont want her to be put under. [more inside]
posted on Jul 23, 2007 - 60 answers

MedicalFSAFilter. Again. Have $2000 to spend in 6 weeks, had hoped to spend it on ugly teeth. Have pits in enamel on front teeth due to high fever (or maybe the medicine that brought that fever down) I had as a child. Said pits are ugly and brown, and I worry are just cavities waiting to happen. Dentist has mentioned veneers, but they aren't eligible for reimbursement. Any way to treat them that is reimbursable? [more inside]
posted on May 19, 2007 - 13 answers

Do I really have to go in for three dental visits a year? [more inside]
posted on May 4, 2007 - 7 answers

My teeth are a mess. I have a major lifelong grinding and chewing problem. The bottom set are very worn down, the top front teeth have crumbled in the past from chewing and I have crowns. I have numerous fillings and root canals and there are ominous cracks in several others. Is there a way I could solve this problem once and for all? I'm talking about fixing the teeth falling apart, not curbing the grinding. Assume cost is not an obstacle.
posted on Apr 2, 2007 - 19 answers

PeriodontistryFilter: My dentist tells me that I have some pretty severe bone loss around my upper molars and that I need to have a consult with a periodontist to discuss "scaling". What is this and how much does it hurt? [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2007 - 14 answers

My tooth doc suddenly urges me to get a frenectomy. Cause for suspicion? I like my dentist, who's skillful and friendly, but sometimes I get the feeling he's a bit too enamored of getting the latest gizmos and practicing trendy procedures. [more inside]
posted on Feb 7, 2007 - 14 answers

Should I get a new dentist? [more inside]
posted on Sep 19, 2006 - 15 answers

Dental tourism in India - anyone have any good experiences? I need several crowns done as well as maybe some implants. How do I find a respectable dentist, what are waiting lists like and what are the approximate costs? Are they fully equipped and painless? [more inside]
posted on Jul 30, 2006 - 4 answers

Help me go to the dentist prepared so that I can reasonably say "I want my remaining teeth and root tips extracted and I want full dentures" [more inside]
posted on Mar 18, 2006 - 15 answers

Thinking seriously about professional (i.e. NOT over the counter Whitestrips, etc.) tooth whitening and am interested in hearing other people's experiences and recommendations... [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2006 - 13 answers

A pupil at my Mum's school head-butted her today. She lost a tooth. She doesn't like teaching, and I don't want her to have to go back to that school ever again... [more inside]
posted on Jan 30, 2006 - 19 answers

I recently found out at the dentist's office that I have "retained deciduous teeth." (I still have a bunch of baby molars, and their adult counterparts are still up in my face and behind my furthest-back current teeth) I have to go in for more x-rays next month, but the dentist mentioned orthodontics and seemed amazed by the whole thing, so now I'm anxious. Anyone ever deal with this?
posted on Jan 27, 2006 - 22 answers

To root canal or not to root canal? I never thought it would happen to me but here I am one emergency pulpectomy later, wondering if I should go ahead with the root canal procedure or just have the tooth extracted. Easy choice you might say, but wait...there's more. Well not really that much more. [more inside]
posted on Jan 6, 2006 - 25 answers

I have a friend here in the UK who needs some dental work doing and decided to combine it with a little holiday and maybe save some money by getting it done in either Poland or Hungary. [more inside]
posted on Jan 3, 2006 - 5 answers

Make it stop hurting-filter: How can I deal with my horrible toothache until I can go to the dentist? [more inside]
posted on Dec 2, 2005 - 37 answers

Has anyone had an experience with an NTI appliance for TMJ? Or possibly a similar device for dental/jaw pain? [more inside]
posted on Dec 1, 2005 - 5 answers

Help me not be terrified of the dentist. [more inside]
posted on Nov 16, 2005 - 27 answers

I've been hearing alot about fluoride poisoning and such. I was wondering if anyone could give me the straight scoop on the fluoride controversy? Any Dentists here? Is fluoride good or bad overall? Any links or ref... you could point me to would be great as well
posted on Jul 20, 2005 - 11 answers

Orthodontics for slackers; I have a lower retainer (metal wire affixed at each end to a tooth with a metal band, behind the teeth) which was installed around the age of 14. It was supposed to be in place for six months or a year, something in that vicinity. My family moved and it was never taken out; I'm now 21. Is this harmful or just annoying? How painful and expensive will it be to have it removed?
posted on Jan 21, 2005 - 16 answers

I'm tired of having big horsy teeth. So I was going to do a Tom Cruise. How much is it going to cost me to have my front teeth ground down?

The worst part about this is that dentists in my experience never give quotes over the phone so I'd have to choose one place and that's it. What kind of office should I look for the best prices (Montreal if that helps).

I'm not crazy but where could I get a file so that I could do it myself?
posted on Dec 23, 2004 - 23 answers

Root Canals: How much do they really hurt?
posted on Nov 18, 2004 - 31 answers

My boyfriend needs to go to the dentist. He recently chipped a tooth, and hasn't been in ages. The problem is two-fold: One, he's TERRIFIED of going, especially because of his long time away from the dentist, and because of deep-rooted fear of the dentist and two, he has no dental insurance. He's agreed to go if I can find a dentist that will accept him without insurance and I go with him to hold his hand. How do I find a dentist that will see him without insurance and will be accomodating to his fears? 1-800-dentist seems secretive at how they arrive at their recommendations.
posted on Nov 15, 2004 - 21 answers

Toothache. What are some good temporary ways to hold off the pain until dentist time?
posted on Jul 31, 2004 - 23 answers

YuckHabitFilter/NeedMoreToWorryAboutFilter: Say you tend to chew on plastic pens while working, despite efforts to stop. Aside from the obvious Googleable dental detriments (tooth wear) and, um, choking risk I guess, are there any other dangers, esp. ones not grounded in Freudian analysis? Are you ingesting scary levels of leeching plasticizers and resins? If so, can you litigate? Kidding...
posted on Jun 8, 2004 - 8 answers

Tooth-whiteners: the ones you see at the supermarket or pharmacy. Are they effective? If so, how long do they take (I'm a pack-a-day ex-smoker)? And which ones would you recommend? Colgate's 'Simply White'? Pearly White? Or something else?
posted on Feb 29, 2004 - 9 answers