10 Examples Of Bad Dentistry That Could Wreak Havoc On Your Health
Shoddy dentistry can cause havoc in your mouth — and the rest of your body.
getty After 44 years in the clinical practice of periodontics, I have seen quite a bit of bad dentistry and serious damages to the mouth.
Frequently, this has been brought about by shoddy dentistry, which is also known as iatrogenic dentistry. And that damage has often affected the rest of the body.
Iatrogenic dentistry is any trauma or damage that has been induced by a dentist's activity, manner, or therapy.
It can create poor function, pain, swelling, infection, and the spread of systemic inflammation. It also may result in permanent damage from no fault of the patient.
Don't doom your health with bad dentistry.
When it comes to dental procedures, the truth is obvious. Dental problems that occur must be repaired by a competent dentist.
For example, after a tooth is damaged from decay, fracture, or other factors, the dentist may need to use dental materials and instruments like dental drills to fix the tooth.
Another problem is gum disease. When it's present, its destructive nature can penetrate all tissues.
If this infection is not treated effectively and efficiently, bacteria and inflammation can spread into the jawbone, ultimately causing loss of teeth. This disease can enter the blood system, as well as travel through the paths of nerves.
The spread of bacteria and inflammation could cause severe disease in other parts of the body.
The goal of a biologically-oriented dentist is to restore the mouth to proper function compatible with the overall health of the body.
Unfortunately, some dental procedures are not performed properly. Some procedures are not medically necessary, and the patient is not informed.
Here are the 10 most common examples of bad dentistry.
1. Poorly placed fillings in teeth.
Cavity fillings might seem minor, but they should be taken seriously. Poorly placed fillings can wreak havoc on oral health for years to come.
2. Death of living tissues caused by dental procedures.
Tooth procedures that cause the death of the living tissues within the tooth.
3. Tooth trauma.
Trauma to the tooth initiated by a dentist causes tooth sensitivity, mobility, or hairline fractures.
4. Toxic filling materials.
Toxic chemicals in tooth-filling materials harm the patient’s body.
5. Dentistry that doesn't fit.
Ill-fitting crowns, veneers, bridges, implants, partial dentures, or complete dentures can cause irritation, pain, swelling, inflammation, and infection.
6. Excess cement.
Incomplete removal of excess cement under the gum tissues after crowns are cemented can be very detrimental to health.
7. Untreated periodontal disease.
Failure to correctly treat active periodontal disease can affect many systems in the body.
8. Unacceptable orthodontic treatment.
This causes future airway obstruction, grinding and gritting of teeth, improper alignment of teeth, and compromised jaw and tongue function.
9. Improper techniques in tooth extraction.
Using improper techniques when pulling teeth can result in trauma to the jawbone and residual infection and inflammation in the healing bone socket.
10. Improper root canal treatment.
Poor root canals that do not resolve infection cause bacteria and pus to ooze out of a dead tooth into the jawbone, creating an infection.
Poor dentistry can be corrected.
In many situations, shoddy dental work resulting in tooth or tissue damage can be corrected, repaired, and healed.
At other times, there may be irreparable damage to the tooth, the spread of chronic inflammation and infection through the body, and the progressive loss of teeth and function years down the road.
Unfortunately, damage to the mouth may not be obvious immediately. Also, some damage to other organ systems of the body may be difficult to trace back to the mouth.
Reactive and proactive dentistry.
If you have fillings, crowns, root canals, or cosmetic dentistry, the structure of the tooth has been compromised.
If teeth become untreatable, they will need to be extracted and may need to be replaced for proper chewing and digestive function.
If you have any dental work in your mouth, you must be diligent to maintain oral health. Personal oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and diet become vital to protect you from further dental breakdown.
If you have any dentistry in your mouth that has been identified as shoddy, you must have it corrected.
Here are three websites where you may be able to find a qualified dentist in your zip code area:
International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology
International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine
You need to become aware if you have shoddy dentistry. The repercussions can be severe.
If you have questionable dental work, it must be evaluated and repaired. Don't ignore the potential problems — they could manifest in your mouth and the rest of your body.
Dr. Al Danenberg is a periodontist and was in private practice for 44 years. For more information, check out his PDF 4 Steps to a Healthy Mouth or visit his website.