Well, no longer. I found a dentist in Fayetteville, not far from Peachtree City, who is fantastic! Just as with my previous Mexican Dentist experience, this dentistry office gave me an "Ultrasonic" cleaning...which is HEAVENLY. Instead of picking at your teeth with little scrapers, the entire cleaning is done with water, is completely painless, and just as effective. LOVE IT.
Dr. Magdy Attia (Egyptian in descent...and has a VERY interesting life history/biography you can read online here) then pulled out the mouth camera (just as my Mexican dentist had!), and showed me my teeth. Time to get some work done.
And here's the fun part...he then pulled out a Waterlase machine, which means that he was able to do an embarrassing number of fillings in a fraction of the time it would have normally take (only 45 minutes!). Waterlase accomplishes the same thing as a dental drill, but is a handheld laser device with water, that magically (in my opinion!) removes all of the cavities without actually drilling, or coming in physical contact with your teeth. I got nearly 10 fillings with absolutely no numbing, no drilling, and almost no pain (except for an occasional pinprick sensation).
The hardest part of it all was having to keep my mouth open for the entire procedure...which left my jaw aching for days. I have been told by Dr. Attia that I am a grinder (Yikes! I would like to consider it more of a "clencher"...but I suppose it has the same effect), and that I am slowly destroying my teeth. He even showed me lateral cracks in my teeth that are a result of this nighttime habit. Oh no! (How come no other dentist has mentioned this problem since High School, when I had to bring up this concern with my childhood Orthodontist?)
He told me I needed to get a "Night Guard", which costs $350 (ouch!), and I would wear at night to keep my teeth separated (consider it a clear retainer...fun, huh?). I agree with him that I absolutely need it...but after doing some research at home, I discovered I can order a lab-direct Night Guard (just like the one he offers in his office) for about $60, plus shipping. $350? I don't think so. But $60? Now, I can handle that!!
And that is my Dentist story for 2010. If you haven't experienced an Ultra Sonic cleaning...find a dentist in your area who DOES IT. Seriously...even if you love your tried-and-true dentist, believe me...you will PREFER an Ultra Sonic cleaning, So...find a new dentist...or ask your dentist to start offering it!!!
Also, if you need work done...don't settle for painful drills...find a Waterlase Dentist (only about 6% of dentists are currently offering this technology...but hopefully, someday every dentist will get trained, and offer it). You will thank yourself!! I'm so glad I happened to find the best dentist in the Peachtree City and Fayetteville area!!
Alright - I have a new MISSION! Find a dentist like this. I'm fine with the dentists I've been too... but I'm definitely not smitten. Plus, my insurance just changed and I have to find a new one anyways! Thanks for the tips. Also, you can buy a mouthguard (football player thing) for 4 bucks at Walmart and wear that to sleep too. That's what Shayne did. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting! I found a dentist I like here, but maybe I should keep looking.
ReplyDeleteThat actually kind-of, maybe just a little, makes me want to go to the dentist! :)
ReplyDeleteI've worn a night guard for YEARS. Does the lab direct one use your mold from the dentist, or didn't they do that for you? They had a special mold made of my teeth and then the guard was made from that. It's not hard to get used to, really. I have the clear hard plastic guard. Glad you found a dentist you like, it's hard if you don't!
ReplyDeleteThis is such timely advice for me. I'm having a molar issue as well right now, and I hate--and I mean HATE--going to the dentist. Even worse than the average person, I think. I almost get nauseous, being tied to that chair, gagging with people's hands in my mouth...just thinking about it makes my palms sweat. So, anything to make it easier. Congrats on the good tech/cheap find! What did we do before the Internet?
ReplyDeleteHey, Ben grinds his teeth too. I'll have to tell him to read this post. pppppppppppp- from Tyler!
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