Ok, now this is an honest question and please dont lecture me on how stupid
I am for even considering this (already heard the lectures, know the risks,
but am desperate). I have a full set of xrays of my teeth so I can see
their anatomy and I have a high pain tolerance so that isnt a concern.
I have "unfortunate" teeth. I brush 3x day, floss 3x day, and use flouride
toothpaste and rinse. I dont eat sugar or drink soda. Every time I have
saved up the cash to get a tooth fixed, it ends up with further problems
withing about three months. For example: had a tooth root canaled and
within 90 days the tooth turned black. Another root canal has a post
pushing against a nerve and my sinuses but the dentist will not repair it -
he wants to refer me to the oral surgeon who was responsible for the tooth
that went black. Had a tooth filled with amalgam and withing a month or two
the outer edges of tooth began to break off away from the amalgam. Anyway,
to make it short, I have a mouth full of broken or otherwise damaged teeth.
By the way, my bones also break easily - it is a lack of calcium and my
body's inability to absorb it.
So, being poor as hell, I have been considering doing my own dental repairs.
I have already looked into going to dental schools and medicaid clinics, but
neither are an option. Dental school is still more money than I have to
spend and the medicaid clinic here will not take on any new patients as they
have lost all but one dentist. I make too much money for assistance or
medicaid but not enough to afford to pay what is being charged for treatment
here and I have no insurance.
So far I have only used tools to smooth down sharp areas where teeth have
broken off to prevent my cheeks and tongue from being shreaded. Now I would
like to fix a couple of fillings that have fallen out or are in need of
replacement due to the breakage of parts of the tooth. I do not have access
to a curing light and have looked at the prices and really cannot afford to
purchase one. So, after all that rambling, here is the question:
What dental filling material is there that is not amalgam, cures without a
light, and would serve to fill these holes? Specifically I am looking for
the product names (brand name, etc) so that I can find it online and order
it. And, is there something that can be painted onto all of my teeth that
would prevent the teeth from further caries and breakage? Like a paint on
enamel or sealant maybe?
Thanks for any help you can provide, Aria
Steven Bornfeld - 11 Jun 2006 21:32 GMT
> Ok, now this is an honest question and please dont lecture me on how stupid
> I am for even considering this (already heard the lectures, know the risks,
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> Thanks for any help you can provide, Aria
Even if you could purchase these materials (illegal, at least in the
US, what are you going to do about the decay?
There is no one way to treat multiple broken down teeth. I take you at
your word that you do not qualify for public assistance. If this
situation is unlikely to change, I would consider having a dentist
evaluate which teeth are non-restorable and remove them. I would then
focus on which teeth are in best shape, and in the best position to
serve you if/when you eventually become able to repair things optimally.
Trying to do this yourself only sets you up for infection and
toothache. It's not like spackling a hole in a wall; you have to remove
the decay, shape the tooth so that the filling will stay in place and
withstand chewing forces. I've known only one or two dentists who've
attempted this on themselves, and they're fools--but they went to dental
school, so at least they presumably should have known they were fools.
You are extremely unlikely to improve your situation by trying this
yourself.
Good luck,
Steve
Aria - 11 Jun 2006 23:58 GMT
> > Ok, now this is an honest question and please dont lecture me on how stupid
> > I am for even considering this (already heard the lectures, know the risks,
[quoted text clipped - 57 lines]
> Good luck,
> Steve
Thank you for the response, Steve. I did not realize that the filling
materials were illegal to purchase in the US. I had seen dental materials
(mostly amalgam and light cure composit) on ebay for sale with no mention of
needing a liscense or DEA number to order, so I guess I assumed (wrongly)
that it was legal for a non-dentist to purchase them.
You do make some good points. I was intending on going in with a dremel bit
to remove the old filling, clean out the decay, and then just fill away.
But I then, I am not a dentist or even a hygenist for that matter so I guess
it is better that I asked.
Once I do manage to get them fixed, is there anything that dentists can
offer as far as a paint on type sealant to keep them from breaking down so
quickly? Something that they would put on them I mean. Thanks again, Aria
Steven Bornfeld - 12 Jun 2006 00:06 GMT
>>>Ok, now this is an honest question and please dont lecture me on how
>>
[quoted text clipped - 138 lines]
> offer as far as a paint on type sealant to keep them from breaking down so
> quickly? Something that they would put on them I mean. Thanks again, Aria
Sealants are most appropriate for chewing surfaces of back teeth that
haven't previously been filled, and with no grossly visible decay.
Besides the boilerplate recommendations about diet and oral hygiene
(unexciting, unsexy but nevertheless very important) for the average
adult with decay problems various fluoride gels and varnishes can help a
lot.
Good luck,
Steve