tooth #3, I had a root canal last September.
Leaving it as is for several months (bad idea,
I know), I finally got fitted for a crown.
The dentist found further decay (caries, I guess),

I will probably need my upper wisdom teeth extracted soon.
I read in a couple of places that the oral surgeon is supposed to use a
"burr" to remove the ligaments and the first milimeter or bone in the
socket. Is that something that oral surgeons routinely do, or is it

A few years ago they were talking about a vaccine against tooth decay. Has
anyone heard anything new about that?

I've read in lots of places that a persistent metallic taste in the mouth is
a sign of a leaking filling.  All other considerations aside, that is ruling
out medications, vitamin deficiencies, hallucinations about mercury and
amalgam poisoning.

Here's an interesting question: is it practical to re-replace resin fillings
with amalgam?  I never bought into the anti-amalgam craze and ever since
I've had the resins put it I've had nothing but discomfort all over my
mouth.  (I didn't ask for the resin fillings: the dentist ...