Posted by leeran on May 8, 2003, at 18:04:10
In reply to For StJames » stjames, posted by mattdds on May 8, 2003, at 15:20:21
I just got home from three hours in the dentist's chair. I'm not an atheist, but that expression "there are no atheists in foxholes" kept running through my mind during those 180 minutes (just substitute foxhole for dental chair).
I asked the dentist about his method of removing mercury (our conversation took place about three feet from the mercury warning sign) right before he started working. I asked specifically about removal/vapors, etc.
He explained the word amalgam (I already knew the meaning) and said he never even wears a mask when removing amalgam fillings . . .
What can you do? You're sitting there - ready to roll, plus, I trust this doctor. The words "blind faith" come to mind, but he's the absolute best dentist (IMO) I found listed on our dental plan (I did a lot of research before deciding choosing him from a list of about 180 providers in our area).
His comment (re: mercury) was that most women have five pounds of it in their breasts from all the fish they've eaten over the years (this guy is pretty outspoken and apparently feels comfortable making exaggerated statements around patients).
Once he started drilling he found that the back tooth and the one next to it (I don't know the corresponding numbers) were too far gone to support porcelain fillings so the plan changed to porcelain crowns midway through the work.
Even with a temporary structure in place I can see a nice difference in the one side of my mouth (I won't get as good of radio reception anymore) but I wouldn't go to the expense to ever have all of them removed until it became medically necessary. For one thing, I couldn't take that much time under the drill without sedation (which he offers but he didn't think was necessary for this situation).
I suppose the Lexapro is kicking in nicely because I was surprisingly calm before the appointment, and in a weird way, even during the procedure.
I told someone on this thread that I would report back so that's the news. I don't know that my opinions about mercury have changed. I certainly would prefer porcelain or resin in the future but $785 per tooth for a porcelain filling is pretty darned steep.
poster:leeran
thread:223248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/225206.html