Toothtruth. Frank Jerome, DDS

Following are questions you should ask your dentist to see if he or she shares the philosophy outlined in Tooth Truth.

1. What is your preferred method for replacing mercury fillings? (See Interpretation number one below.)

2. Do you do extractions? If yes, what procedures do you routinely do after the tooth is removed? (See the Interpretation number two below.)

3. What is your position on cavitations or NICOs? Do you treat them? (See Interpretation number three below.)

4. How many crowns do you do per week? What material do you normally use for crowns? (See Interpretation number four below.)

5. Do you do root canal therapy? Do you feel root canal treated teeth should be removed? (See Interpretation number five below.)

Interpretations

1. If a dentist still places mercury fillings, he or she is uncommitted to the Tooth Truth philosophy. The longer the dentist has not placed mercury fillings, the better, as experience counts. See if the dentist mainly uses direct composite. Many dentists find selling crowns profitable.

2. Many dentists do not do extractions for fear of HIV or because it nets them less money per hour. If they simply give gauze and say "bite", then they do not understand what happens when cavitations are formed. (The preferred protocol is outlined in Tooth Truth.)

3. Many dentists are not sure about cavitations nor do they want to treat them as they feel they are not adequately trained or they may not perform surgery. Some boards attack dentists who do cavitations.

4. Practice management courses stress doing 10 or more crowns per week. (I do no new crowns.) Some dentists do 25 per week. The real danger with crowns is that they are mainly metal (usually nickel) and the procedure kills teeth making a root canal or extraction necessary.

5. Some dentists who believe root canals are dangerous still do them. The training and the economic pressures are high. They say their patients want them. They are not ready to go as far as I am. They are afraid to extract a root canal treated tooth (if they even do extractions) for many reasons. One reason is that it can be a very difficult procedure. If they do not do extractions, they may have trouble finding an oral surgeon who will remove the tooth, as many oral surgeons are very traditional.

Disclaimer:
Unless presented otherwise, the opinions and conclusions expressed in this book are mine and mine alone. They are based upon observations that I have made while practicing my profession. Please understand that I cannot be responsible for any adverse effects believed due to the use of information in this book. You should be guided by your own dentist or physician, whom you may wish to educate by providing a copy of the Tooth Truth book. Dr. Frank Jerome.