Warning Dentist--Dr. Bill Fisher
 

I'm not defending this dentist...there are some unscrupulous people...but there can be decay under a crown that an x-ray will not pick up. A lot of crowns have metal bases under porcelein or ceramic and the x-ray cannot penetrate this. If there is an opening at the base of the crown (possibly from decay) bacteria can get in and cause the tooth under the crown to decay and not be discernible with an x-ray.Although crowns are absolutely wonderful, they don't always last forever. If there is decay under the crown, you want to address it while the tooth is still viable. If you don't, you will end up needing an implant. Please see another dentist! If you get a dentist with an intra oral camera, he (she) can show you exactly what they are seeing. You may find that the dentist that diagnosed this problem was, in fact, doing a good job and that the hygienist found a problem before it caused you a lot of money. It's cheaper to replace the crown after cleaning up the decay than it is to wait until the tooth is destroyed and have to put in an implant or bridge.

I would get another consult from a 3rd dentist. The one you had could be wrong and not admitting it now, too....he could be defensive b/c the dentist here found something the he had missed and should have treated before this.

Just wanted to add one other thought...If there is tarter or calculus built up around the base of the crown, by removing it like the hygienist was doing, this would make the decay apparent...something the doctor would not see with a visual examination. If the doctor is indeed underhanded, he should be exposed. I just hate to see a professional's reputation destroyed without defense.

Trish is right on target. I actually had a similar problem with a very old crown. Good advice, Trish.

Thanks Swimdawg.:)

The crown is all ceramic. You all can think what you want. I'm a good judge of character and doctors and dentists. The crown was NOT chipped before cleaning and he sure didn't see anything!! Then he looks back at the xray and says he sees it!!!! (on my complaining trip in)!!!! Something is not right in this picture. If you want to use him FINE!!

Wow....I don't even know him....I don't live in Florida. Since my husband is a dentist and I assist him, I was just trying to give you some hopefully helpful information. Obviously, you are educated in all of the medical and dental knowledge that you need and I'm sorry if it offended you. Had I known that you were an expert I would have never offered my opinion. Good luck.

Well said!

I could float a new country with all the $$$$ done to my mouth over my lifetime. I knew once here I'd need a new dentist and it came none too soon as in my prelim app't showed I had significant decay under 2 crowns. Another factor we have as we age is we get "long of tooth" and decay can get up under these crowns despite all the care a dentist and we might give them. Also another factor is "dry mouth" which sets another form of bacteria in our mouths that contribute to this. I'd say give the guy the benefit of the doubt and move on...if you don't care to remain with him. In my case, my decay led to removal of these "teeth" and implants!!! I was grateful to my new dentist for the care I got.

Don't know you Trish, but I like you! You're a class act!

Thank you jazzy48...I appreciate that.

I second what you say Jen. About three years ago my teeth just began to have issues and I had to have two crowned and two crowns replaced and three root canals done on already repaired teeth. Also, my teeth began having caries and decay like never before and my oral hygiene had not changed. I thought for awhile that it was the lemonade I was drinking a lot of. I have great trust in the dentist I have gone to for thirty years so it was my teeth, not the dentist. Now two of my friends are going through the very same issues. I believe it is an aging problem. And quite possibly one that has not been well documented like the serotonin drop that causes so much anxiety and obsessive behavior.

"Long in the tooth" is right, our gums recede and the bacteria that live in our mouth changes too. A recent study shows that we can "catch" bacteria that causes decay. Isn't that fun???

I am not disputing that you are correct Tigger. I am just saying that this kind of decay at the base of a crown does escalate as we age and practically overnight too.

Getting older isn't for sissies, but it beats the alternative.

:cus: Dr. Fisher & Lucy both practiced as associates @ Star Dental. The sales job started with[ you need deep cleaning. This is done by the quadrant 1/4th of the mouth cleaned each visit.] If you do not have an Electric Tooth Brush, we have a large selection here at reasonable prices. [ you should come for 3 month appts. this helps keep your teeth cleaner.]
Then the Dr. does his exam. makes notes of many procedures you should have done, mostly pre caries procedures and if you have a filling, you need a crown. The whole list then is turned over to the CLOSER, in this case a non Dentist named Sam. He then commences to try to sell you the whole plan which is printed out with costs of procedures and your cost and what your Dental plan covers which is not quite correct .
With the exception of Sam, the other 2 parts of the team are now in practice.Judge for yourself.
And Trish, before you start on me, about not knowing what I am talking about, I spent many years in the Dental business. I sold Dental equipment, supplies, and designed Dental offices. I also sold and implemented accounting plans and trained staff in how to succeed. Since I have moved here, 3 Dentists have lost their Licenses in this area. :spoken:

Before I start on you???????? Wow.:shocked: