Dental Primary Examination

Mark1159 on 10/01/2022 - 17:02

I’ve had great dentist for 30 years.
No pain, no oral health issues, no big expenses.
Now retired.

Today was first “check up” with new dentist at same clinic.
New dentist obviously checked my file, cos correctly referenced “X Ray photos, next time”.

The new dentist listened, I assume, to the glowing handover I heard the hygienist recount. Well done me.

The new dentist was nice, personable and did the jaw bite movement thing and prodded my 4 rear teeth.

That was all.

I seem to recall my previous dentist in the sixty odd previous visits, diligently probed every tooth in my mouth, every time.
Not only the 4 rear ones.

Is this normal for an initial primary examination? Is it sufficient to read a 6 month old assessment to say all my remaining are ok without a probe with that metal hook tool?

Even if my previous dentist was “looking for work” I was hardly a gold mine.
I have a filling once every 4 or 5 years.

Thankyou

Health & Beauty Dental

Comments

  • Nugs on 10/01/2022 - 17:25

    My dentist does a full probe, after the hygienist has also done the same as part of the cleaning
    .

  • zzzz99 on 10/01/2022 - 17:26
    +2

    If a dentist makes you uncomfortable or makes you doubt their quality of work/thoroughness, I suggest you simply find another dentist that doesn't make you feel that way.

  • freefall101 on 10/01/2022 - 17:35

    How often did your old dentist find anything the hygienist missed? I see the same hygienist every time and she does a great job, never miss anything and the dentist never finds anything new. Been going there a few years and over time I've noticed they just trust her judgement more and more to catch obvious stuff.

    • Mark1159 on 10/01/2022 - 18:03
      +1

      How do they catch the less obvious stuff?

  • Benoffie on 10/01/2022 - 19:13

    They should check every tooth as they should be updated against your file. The check is not just for potential fillings but the touching is checking for resorption. Without it, and the X-rays to confirm, issues like resorption can go unchecked and can lead to loss of teeth.

  • Craicdealer on 10/01/2022 - 20:56

    Im interested in dentists getting x-rays the first time, or regularly. It seems unnecessary, especially for kids. I had the first visit to a dentist with my 11 yr old. Without opening his mouth, it was x-rays first. I objected and it was a very awkward appointment. Im not against x-rays at all if investigating something but as a regular check-up thing, especially with kids, I seriously question. Im open to be convinced they are harmless but exposure to radiation unnecessarily couldnt be good right?

    • Tech5 on 10/01/2022 - 21:22
      +1

      A new patient checkup without xrays is essentially going in blind.

      A similar feeling would be you driving in peak hour traffic with your eyes squinted. You can see, but it wouldn't be ideal.

      The visible surfaces of the teeth are easily cleaned by your toothbrush. Guess which part of the tooth tends to rot? Between the teeth where you can't clean and the dentist can't see with the naked eye.

      Would you feed your kid a banana? Or take them on a plane flight? 2 small xrays is equal to about 16 bananas, or 1 hour on the plane. You don't think twice about that though.

      • 2esc on 01/02/2022 - 11:45

        You also can't trust X-rays I had a tooth that I had a bit of pain with and dentist said there was nothing wrong with the tooth 5 days later the side of of the tooth all the way to the gum broke not happy. Found a new dentist she said the X-ray may have been taken from the wrong angle I've stuck with her since very thorough.

        • Tech5 on 01/02/2022 - 15:09
          +1

          Xrays dont show hairline fractures

    • Oofy Doofy on 11/01/2022 - 11:08
      +1

      there are ADA guidelines for xrays in children available online. Generally you don't want to do xrays if there is no crowding of teeth or other evidence necessitating deeper examination.

      I was annoyed when a dentist did an OPG on my son (with his mother) without reasonable explanation. Some people are just very dismissive of things they should know better about.

  • Tech5 on 10/01/2022 - 21:19
    +5

    Dentist here - Probing every tooth with a metal hook is not needed. It is used to check if a dark spot is actually a hole (although even that is frowned upon now as it might damage a weakened surface and turn it into a hole).

    If my patient comes in for their 6 month check up and I have recent xrays, I don't probe the visible surfaces of teeth unless I see something suspicious.

    • Mark1159 on 10/01/2022 - 22:16

      Thankyou Dr,
      I’m in the same clinic, so X Rays due next visit; August. The new dentist had clearly looked at my file.
      Obviously a trained eye, knows what to survey.
      Sounds like what you say makes eminent sense. Maybe my previous dentist was old school.
      Thanks

      • jv on 25/01/2022 - 12:19

        Thankyou Dr

        Do they have a doctorate?

    • Ghost47 on 11/01/2022 - 14:55
      +1

      What is your opinion of Sensodyne Repair and Protect toothpaste (i.e. the one with Novamin)?

      • xseta on 25/01/2022 - 12:14

        Curious on this one too @Tech5

  • jv on 25/01/2022 - 12:17

    You should find a good lawyer and sue…

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