Originally Posted by CookieCutter

ug, tell me how to pop my jaw back into place! My nightguard didn't work for some reason, and I haven't been able to fully open my mouth since 4 am this morning.

I can't really go to the dentist right now because I have no health insurance and no $$. Please help!

Originally Posted by Crompsin

I have a cracked (hairline) molar and was told that I need a crown in the near future (6-12 months).

Should I wait or just get the thing done? Dentist didn't stress it immediately.

I can't stop eating smoked almonds... but can only do it with only one side of my mouth now.

Originally Posted by Zar

Here's a question.

I've always basically thought that my family's dentist was an asshole, as he just has that arrogant, cocky attitude going for him. That may bias my views.

Last time I visited the dentist, he tried to sell me a system to fight my supposed gum disease. He looked in my mouth, said I had "stage 3" gingivitis, and then had the hygienist show me a 10 minute video on this system called PerioProtect. I had originally thought this was just some system that he had found useful and effective in treating patients with gum disease. However, as I'm watching the video, I realize, holy shit, there's my dentist, subtitled "CEO of PerioProtect Inc." trying to sell me this system. It seemed to basically consist of plastic tooth molds, which you squirted some anti-gum disease gunk into and then left in place for 30 minutes a day.

Anyway, the fact that it was my dentist himself who had apparently come up with this system and had made a slick DVD to sell it and thereby line his pockets immediately put me off to the whole proposition. The funniest part was, though, that my dental hygienist (an extremely nice women, who is basically the entire reason my family goes to this dentist in the first place) said immediately afterward, "You don't really need this."

I am not opposed to the idea that my gums are not in the best of shape, although I am only 23 years old. I've even been brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash more regularly since that visit. However, I was curious as to your opinion on this "PerioProtect" and as to whether you think my dentist was just trying to fleece me. BTW, his system would have cost me 1500 dollars "plus additional unforeseen costs" had I agreed to it. He even had me sign a document saying that I had been made aware that my teeth may fall out of my head at a moment's notice (an exaggeration, but not much of one) if I didn't agree to use his system, and had decided not to anyways. He also had me sign a document saying that I was aware that he was not, infact, a licensed periodontist, which cracked me up. I guess he figures most people are stupid and don't actually read this stuff.

Let me know your opinion, thanks.