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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / September 2005Partial Plate: what % of people over 40 have one?
I would just like to get an educated guess from the obviously very-knowledgeable sci.med.dentistry community: What percentage of people over 40 do you think have a partial plate? I'm wondering because my dentist just told me that I will need to have two front lower teeth removed because of bone loss (the right "canine" (or "pointy"?) tooth and the one immediately to its left.) This dentist, though young, seems very capable and kind-hearted, so I'm inclined to accept her opinion, even though I'd rather not! I guess I'm feeling a bit down about the whole thing. I'm supposed to get a "Valplast" partial. Any thoughts or suggestions you might have are welcome! Brett >I would just like to get an educated guess from the obviously >very-knowledgeable sci.med.dentistry community: [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >This dentist, though young, seems very capable and kind-hearted, so I'm >inclined to accept her opinion, even though I'd rather not! REPLY The teeth loose or not? Joel; >I guess I'm feeling a bit down about the whole thing. I'm supposed to >get a "Valplast" partial. > >Any thoughts or suggestions you might have are welcome! > >Brett > The teeth loose or not? > > Joel; Hi Joel: Thanks for your question. They don't seem loose to me, but the dentist says they are. I suspect a dentist measures looseness somewhat differently from a non-dentist. When I place my index finger on either of them and try to move them forward or backward, there is a small amount of "give", but not much. I certainly appreciate any thoughts you may have on the matter. Brett >> The teeth loose or not? >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >Brett How far, in millimeters ? -- W_B wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com Take out the G'RBAGE > How far, in millimeters ? > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com > Take out the G'RBAGE Hi W_B: Thanks for your question. Less than one millimeter, certainly, from furthest forward to furthest back. I'd estimate 0.7 mm. Brett >> The teeth loose or not? >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >They don't seem loose to me, but the dentist says they are. If they were my teeth, if I bit a bagel and they stayed in I'd tell the doc to go away. Joel > I suspect a >dentist measures looseness somewhat differently from a non-dentist. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Brett > >Hi Joel: > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Joel Thanks Joel! As a matter of fact, I bite a fair number of bagels these days, courtesy of Noah! http://www.noahs.com/index.cfm (Though I actually prefer their onion "bialys" to bagels, even though they tend to dump onion slivers mingled with poppy seeds all over the car seat.) Others tell me Einstein is the way to go: http://www.einsteinbros.com/index.cfm Though still others insist that no bagel worthy of the name can be found anywhere outside NYC. I guess if I understand the theory correctly (and no doubt my ignorance of dentistry will show itself here in spades), if the teeth aren't removed the deep cleaning may not cause the gum to stick to the tooth tightly enough to prevent further gingivitis. Hence, the teeth have to get whacked for the well-being of their neighbors. Corrections and comments are most welcome! Brett > I guess if I understand the theory correctly (and no doubt my ignorance > of dentistry will show itself here in spades), if the teeth aren't > removed the deep cleaning may not cause the gum to stick to the tooth > tightly enough to prevent further gingivitis. Hence, the teeth have to > get whacked for the well-being of their neighbors. Huge variation in disease condition, progression and response to therapy. There is no way to make an intelligent advisory statement without seeing you IRL. IF you are concerned, you need a second opinion IRL, from a periodontist.  Signature/ Amatus / >> >Hi Joel: >> > [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Brett Thanks Amatus: Of course, I believe you're correct: I know it's hard to give general advice in such a case. I guess I'm primarily trying to understand the ideas involved. My dedicated young dentist seems capable and caring, but she is also very busy. Her explanation, while I suspect it was accurate, sounded more to me like a dentist talking to a dentist, even though she tried to break it down for a layman. Also, I guess I'm a little less likely to accept her advice since she's a relatively new dentist. If she had been "in the trenches" for 2 decades, I guess I'd be more likely to accept what she had to say - but then again, maybe not! Obviously, I'm letting what I want to hear influence my perception of what is best to do (a very human thing, I suppose!) Even so, thank you for your feedback! Brett >> >Hi Joel: >> > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Thanks Joel! SERIOUSLY, one occasion, I looked at some x-rays, told the patient the remaining teeth were a goner, then the next visit proceeded to extract them. With almost zero bone, they were rock hard. I could not get them out. I was thinking, "Oh what am I doing? There teeth are so solid." I rechecked the x-rays six times. Joel >As a matter of fact, I bite a fair number of bagels these days, >courtesy of Noah! [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > >Brett Hi Joel: It's funny you should mention this, because I was thinking yesterday about my vague memories of removing loose teeth as a child. Back then, I wanted to lose my first set of teeth, because it would enable me to increase my "tooth collection", which I liked to show the kids at school. And I remember how hard it was to yank those teeth that were far more wobbly than these teeth! (And I had access to bagels even then!) So I guess I'm just not on board with having these teeth yanked yet. But again, I'm sure wishful thinking is also influencing my feeling here. I mean, who wants a partial plate, for heaven's sake?! Thanks for your recollection! Brett >Hi Joel: > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >Brett Sadly, it was not one of my finer moments ... but I learned my lesson and others benefitted. > I mean, who wants a partial plate, for heaven's sake?! Those who wish to avoid a full denture. -- W_B wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com Take out the G'RBAGE |
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