We're having the same problem now. My husband has a tooth that hurts, but they refuse to fill the cavity before he has $1200 worth of root planing done. His gums aren't receding, and don't bleed when he flosses. No loose teeth. We just got that same news from dentist #2 now and don't even care about insurance, just want to fill the darn thing!

My question: if this root planing is so all important, why doesn't insurance cover it?

The question I often ask myself is which dentist do other dentists go to? I also ask myself which lawyer do other lawyers go to (although practicing on oneself is easier there), and which physician do other doctors go to?

Specialists who receive referrals often see the kind of work done by other practitioners, and I suspect all too many of them keep their mouth shut but shudder at what they discover their colleagues have done.

It's troubling.

My dentist works on the teeth of all and only those who do not work on their own teeth.

Your logic exercise for the day:

Does he work on his own teeth or not?

As a Registered Dental Hygienist, I could not help but respond to clear some misconceptions. Periodontal disease (Gum Disease) is the most prevalent disease world wide.

Going to the dental office for “just a cleaning” would be like taking your car in for a paint job without looking for rust or other possible problems which will potentially destroy the car, whether or not it’s got a fresh coat of paint. Another analogy would be having your wood deck stained with termites living in the wood and evident damage. A probe is a tool to measure the presence of disease. Another tool would be the x-rays, to evaluate the bone level.

There is a small space between the tooth and the gum tissue. A probe measures this space. The probe is placed until it reaches the bone level. The delicate probe can not be pushed or shoved into bone. If the probe could go through bone, that patient has a very serious bone disorder and should be in the hospital!

Bacteria (little animals) get into this space everyday. They live, breed, release waste products, and eat away at the fibers which hold the tooth to the gum tissue. Flossing everyday removes 85% of these bad bacteria. Too bad we don’t have microscopes because if you looked at the floss after using it, most people would become sickened and become hard core flossers!

Readings of 4mm or higher needed to be evaluated more closely. Bleeding upon probing indicates active disease. (The bacteria are at a buffet in your mouth). Just polishing the teeth which are visible is a great disservice to the patient!! The role of a hygienist is the overall health of the mouth to include all parts of the teeth and gums, not just the part you can see. Hygienists want you to keep your teeth for a life time. If all you want is a superficial cleaning, expect tooth loss and dentures.

I do not know anything negative about the dental office mentioned and I’ve lived and practiced in Peachtree City/Fayette County for 25+ years. I do not work for this office but if its bad news; I feel I would have heard about it as we all network.

I’m sorry the hygienist did not educate you on this subject and examination so you would understand and gain the knowledge to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Flossing everyday is the number one way to prevent gum disease! Brushing extra can not as the tooth brush can not go down into the spaces between the tooth and gum. NOW GET FLOSSING!

Both my wife and myself both were given the bad news.
My wife was sent to Dr Quinn in Riverdale for irrigation , and I had irrigation done in Dr Gilikins office. Dr Quinn was not what you would call gentle.