Perio increases cavities at gumline

[nwsteve]

Looking for some perspective from the esteem members of the Forum.
We moved about a year ago and so had to start all over with docs and dentists.
Lo and behold, new dentist identifies a number of cavities at gum line attributes them to my previous perio treatment. Currently, all my gums are healthy with acceptable to good 'pocket" measurements--none over 5, mostly 3's.
According to him, no matter how good the perio treatment, tooth surfaces previously covered by gum are newly exposed. These surfaces supposedly have softer surface.
Two questions:
1. Has anyone else received or heard of my new dentist's assessment of perio impacting cavity risk at gum line?
2. New dentist also says the gum line cavities restorations are high risk for failure and root canals are better long term repairs.

Thanks for any help

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwsteve Looking for some perspective from the esteem members of the Forum.

Sigh. It's discouraging when the opening line of a new thread says the poster doesn't want to hear my opinion.

[nwsteve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Sigh. It's discouraging when the opening line of a new thread says the poster doesn't want to hear my opinion.

Not sure what I said to give that impression but I do want to hear

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Sigh. It's discouraging when the opening line of a new thread says the poster doesn't want to hear my opinion.

Well, I hold you you in high esteem REW, although I have been told my taste is questionable.

[Nemo2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Sigh. It's discouraging when the opening line of a new thread says the poster doesn't want to hear my opinion.

That went over well....oops, got it backwards....well over someone's head.

[mn54]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwsteve Looking for some perspective from the esteem members of the Forum. We moved about a year ago and so had to start all over with docs and dentists. Lo and behold, new dentist identifies a number of cavities at gum line attributes them to my previous perio treatment. Currently, all my gums are healthy with acceptable to good 'pocket" measurements--none over 5, mostly 3's. According to him, no matter how good the perio treatment, tooth surfaces previously covered by gum are newly exposed. These surfaces supposedly have softer surface. Two questions: 1. Has anyone else received or heard of my new dentist's assessment of perio impacting cavity risk at gum line? 2. New dentist also says the gum line cavities restorations are high risk for failure and root canals are better long term repairs. Thanks for any help

I am a retired dentist. to answer your two questions:
1. If you have any periodontal recession where the root surface of the tooth is now exposed to the oral environment then you are at greater risk of decay. the root surface does not have any enamel covering it and decay will occur easier and faster than the crown of the tooth
2. restorations on the root surface of the tooth are not as well bonded to the tooth as restorations on enamel. this being said ,restorations can nevertheless be successful long-term with good oral hygiene. if the decay gets too deep into the tooth and encroaches on the pulp then you are looking at a root canal. decay on the root surface will penetrate the tooth much faster because the root surface is softer than enamel plus it is closer to the pulp to begin with. therefore any decay on the root surface must be treated promptly.

I hope i have answered your questions.

[Dtail]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwsteve Not sure what I said to give that impression but I do want to hear

You have been a member for 16 years. That is the REW clever humor. lol

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo2 That went over well....oops, got it backwards....well over someone's head.

I missed it first time I read REW’s post. Even after a reread I still had doubts.

[Dtail]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB I missed it first time I read REW’s post. Even after a reread I still had doubts.

Haha - I had no doubt Nemo2 would get the comment in 2 seconds.

[sengsational]

It was immediately clear to me where REW was going with it.

If dentist A didnt' say anything, then not long after, dentist B is running around with his hair on fire, I think I'd go for a dentist C and see what happens (while not mentioning A, B, or anything A or B said).

[rodi]

I tend to agree with sengsational. There are some dentists who will create problems to generate business. I had a coworker who changed dentists and suddenly 100% of his fillings had to be replaces with crowns. I asked if he had any tooth pain and how old the fillings were... most were newish, and no tooth pain. He went ahead with it because the crowns were more attractive than the fillings - and went ahead with whitening treatments as well as a few other 'extra' treatments.

That new dentist saw $$ when my coworker walked in.

[Montecfo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Sigh. It's discouraging when the opening line of a new thread says the poster doesn't want to hear my opinion.

Didn't want mine either apparently.
:: Sigh ::

To the OP: my newish dentist has wanted to do restorations at same spot due to mild gum recision. It sounds like this is to protect the tooth, not due to actual cavities. I have resisted so far.

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Sigh. It's discouraging when the opening line of a new thread says the poster doesn't want to hear my opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montecfo Didn't want mine either apparently. :: Sigh ::

Come on, guys, don’t get all esteemed up about it.

[razztazz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sengsational It was immediately clear to me where REW was going with it. If dentist A didn't say anything, then not long after, dentist B is running around with his hair on fire, I think I'd go for a dentist C and see what happens (while not mentioning A, B, or anything A or B said).

That happened to me. New in town. Saw a nationally advertised brand of dental office. All of a sudden I have cavities. And she was frantic telling me how important it was to fill them immediately.

In 55 years I had had a grand total of ONE cavity and my previous dentist said everything was groovy. So, I hit a dentist shop that had just opened closer to my house. Like every dentist I have ever had he said my teeth were remarkable. Don't see a set of teeth like that every day. Still waiting for a cavity.

[nwsteve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dtail You have been a member for 16 years. That is the REW clever humor. lol

You are so ever correct--I was so very focused on the question which has caused some personal concern and COMPLETELY missed REW possibly suggesting he was not a member of the "esteemed " category.
Apologies to REW but if not "esteemed" what category would you be?? Cranky old man? ;-)

[The Cosmic Avenger]

You know what they say...when the joke falls flat, the esteemed clam up.

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

[Sunset]

I had a dentist that said my exposed root part of the tooth was in danger of rotting since it was not as strong as the enamel. So I agreed to him putting some white filling on it.
It's been fine now for 10 years.

If a new dentist is suddenly seeing work, I'd see another opinion.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by razztazz That happened to me. New in town. Saw a nationally advertised brand of dental office. All of a sudden I have cavities. And she was frantic telling me how important it was to fill them immediately. In 55 years I had had a grand total of ONE cavity and my previous dentist said everything was groovy. So, I hit a dentist shop that had just opened closer to my house. Like every dentist I have ever had he said my teeth were remarkable. Don't see a set of teeth like that every day. Still waiting for a cavity.

That's very shocking.

[Masquernom]

Be very careful. I had a cap come loose once. Went to the closest dentist to have it glued back on since I was out of town. While there, he indicated I really needed scaling and planing. Just so happened, a couple of doors down there was a specialist that could do that for me. What a coincidence!

I told him to just cement the cap back on for that day and I'd be back. Went back to my family dentist to see what was up. She was really upset. Told me there was nothing wrong with my gums. She warned me there were mercenary dentists out there, and to be careful.

[happ]

I recently moved and found a new dentist. When I went for routine cleaning he made it clear that the first visit will be xrays and an inspection. His findings I had 3 cavities and needed perio cleaning. His office had paper work for me to sign agreeing to do the work and $1900 charge. I walk out. I think too many dentist are becoming overly aggressive in treatments. I have an appointment at a hygienist school for a cleaning and I'll see what their findings are.