I feel like Dentures are a Week away
By Amber
@AmbiePam (85531)
United States
April 23, 2008 10:28pm CST
Some of you may remember I had to get a tooth pulled, and ultimately had to pay for a very expensive bridge. And it still hasn't come in yet. But three days after that appointment, guess what? The enamel on the tooth next to the pulled one broke in half. I wasn't eating anything hard, they had just taken X-rays the day before, and there was nothing there showing something wrong. It's insane! I never had a cavity until I was 25, and my teeth have always been white and healthy. I kind of think they may have done something to that tooth when they were working on the other one. I have no proof, and with what they charged me, I'm not getting it fixed there.
So I'm going to get it down at the OU dentistry school. I think a lot of you know you can go to a dentistry school and they do the work (supervised by a certified dentist) for way less than an actual dentist would charge. So that is what I'm going to do since no way I can afford anything else. I was wondering if anyone has ever had their teeth worked on by a dentistry school? Could you tell me about your experience?
Another theory on why half my enamel came off is this: I throw up a lot. I have migraines all the time that result in vomiting. Add to that there was a 3 month period a couple years ago I threw up everything, even water, and was left with dry heaves. I lost 80 pounds in a space of three months (which was fine, I had gained weight with the steroids they put me on). Yeah, I was a frequent visitor of the hospital at that time. My point is that bulimics who make themselves throw up, often end up having teeth problems because the acid from their vomit erodes the enamel. I'm not bulimic, but do you think that is the cause, or is it more likely that dentist did something?
Sorry this post is kind of gross.
4 people like this
9 responses
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I think that a lot of my dental problems started from the constant vomiting I had with both of my pregnancies. If the dentist took the x-ray before the other tooth way pulled then the erosion may have looked like it was all the one tooth. It is possible that the tooth broke mainly because of the erosion, but it was helped along by the pressure on that area when the other tooth got pulled.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
27 Apr 08
Well Ambie I always had lovely Teeth until I fell pregnant with my first one
And it is true what they say once you have Treatment you will always have treatment
When I was diagnosed with my Sickness my top Gums and teeth where falling apart
I always brush my Teeth and look after them
2 years later they where a wreck but only the top I had to have the lot out as they where affecting my Gums bad, so I had to have Dentures for the top and to this Day I hate them
That was another thing that knocked me 43 and having top Dentures it took me a long time to get over that
I know it sounds silly but believe me I felt I had lost something else precious
I have never heard of a Dental School well not here in the UK
I do hope that you will be able to get them sorted Sweetie
@AmbiePam (85531)
• United States
27 Apr 08
I understand what you mean. My hair started falling out around the age of 22 because I was sick. Not thinning, but actually falling out. Every time I looked in the mirror I couldn't believe I was 22, losing my hair, and would never be able to get it back.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
24 Apr 08
I think the dentist should have been able to see the enamel erosion under the exray. I don't think the dentist you went to was very good.
My boyfriend is now going to the hospital for dentistry and they are a dentistry school there as well. He is very satisfied with the work and they are 2 thirds cheaper than the regular dentist he was going to.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85531)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Thanks winterose. That makes me feel better about going. I think you are right about my dentist. For years she has been my parent's dentist as well as my own, and she always did stellar work. She usually was very affordable. But she has cut down her work hours, and I think she is getting sloppy. I am not ever going back after I get my bridge (I'm already being charged for it, I can't back out or I would).
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I knew a grad student many years ago who had some very expensive dental work done. Unfortunately, it was not done well. Her father paid for it but she herself qualified to be accepted at a dental clinic. She went to the one at the University of Pennsylvania and they corrected the work and did a great job. She never told her father that she had the work he paid for redone. She was in the middle of some rough exams and didn't want him to come to Philadelphia and march her back to the first dentist and demand the work be redone.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I have about the same problem as you....I have no enamel on my teeth....so I have also spent alot of money with dentists......I would say they might have done something....but if they did you will never know it! Good idea going to a dental school. I have never personally done it but heard it's just as good as any!......I am using that new sensodyne product that puts a protective shield on you teeth after you brush....I just started using it but my teeth don't hurt as much. You might want to try something like that to protect your teeth!
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
24 Apr 08
It could be either of those or both combined that caused the tooth to break like that..I personally haven't gone to a dentistry school, but took my kids there once..I was happy with them, except only they did cleanings and check ups, no dental work was done, so I had to go to the dentist anyways..It was much cheaper and if your school will fix your tooth, I would say go for it..
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Perhaps it's combination of both..
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I think that your teeth are week because of your vomitting problem. It could be that the extra stress on your teeth broke the enamel, because they are weak. Be sure and keep yourself well nourished. I have heard that green tea contains fluoride. My mom and sister used to go to either Tecumseh or Tishomingo to a dental lab and I could learn where for sure if you want me to.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
28 Apr 08
I think that you actually need to be getting dentures to use this service. You are still needing to see a dentist. I was so tired when I posted before I did not realize this. However, if you know anyone who needs dentures or partials, my sister says that you go to Bob Crouch Dental Labs, on Hiway 9 in Tecumseh. She says if you are on the Indian Rolls she can tell you where to go to get all of your dental work done. I told her I was pretty sure you were not. I could be, but have never taken the time and trouble to do so.
1 person likes this
@AmberNormandin (883)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I am so glad you posted this! I never knew about OU dentistry school and now that I dont have dental insurance, i'd be willing to go there. I am TERRIFIED of the dentist though, so the only draw back for me would be that the students didnt know exactly what they were doing and that they would hurt me. I had a tooth pulled several years ago and not long after it, the crown i had next to it chipped off. I went to a different dentist for it (didnt have to have it fixed) and he told me that sometimes damage is done to the surrounding teeth during a pull. I hope it all works for ya girl! I know how frustrating and stressful this is.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85531)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I think you are right. When I go to the OU school, I'll tell you how it went. Going to the dentist is really important. My dad couldn't afford to go to the dentist until he was 33, and he had a lot of problems with his teeth as a result. I hope you get to go. It bothers me that insurance for dentists and eye doctors are not on a lot of insurance plans. My family never had dental insurance except for a five year period my mom had it through her job.
1 person likes this
