Ask the Dental student....Q's, fears, concerns, hopefully answered.

[JMP300z]

[ QUOTE ]
I could have asked my dentist this, but it keeps slipping my mind:

When injecting a local into the gumline, especially in the uppers, she will tug my lip - is this done to "get a good vein", or is it simply to distract me from the needle going in?

[/ QUOTE ]

We dont inject into veins or arteries or anything like that, just into the tissue around the nerve. In fact, injecting into an artery or vein can cause problems due to the epinephrine in the anesthetic solution. It will cause a hematoma (big swelling) of your whole face and you look all puffed up and be all uncomfortable. That is why we aspirate the needle to make sure were not in a blood vessel. Pulling the lip tight just activates the sensory aspect of the nerves and yes is basically a distraction...but it works. Some dentists pull it tight, some jiggle it, some do neither...its whatever.

-JP

[JMP300z]

[ QUOTE ]
How many dentists say they autoclave their handpieces between each patient, but don't actually do it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhm, my guess would be about none. Not everyone uses Autoclave as there are other methods of sterilization such as using chemical ethylene oxide or something, theres a list of like 4 diff approved methods, each using different combos of heat/steam/chemicals for different times and temperatures. Also, it is required to use indicators in each cassette of instruments that verify that they were properly sterilized.

Infection control is a serious deal and is fiercely regulated. Depends on the state but losing your liscence and seriosu fines are not uncommon for that kind of offense.
You can lose your lisence for a lot less offense.

-JP

[JMP300z]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Most people have no idea how hard dental school is (godawful 4 yrs, id give anything to have it as easy as my med student roommate right now)

[/ QUOTE ]

this made me laugh

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too were you serious about this?

If so perhaps you're roommate is just a crappy med student.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps you dont know anyone in dental school. I understand he works but him and his friends are drinking in my living room right now, they havent been to class all week, all of them are A students and I have been in the lab all night after getting off class and have to be at class at 8 tomorrow for 8 hrs of lecture. Ive had 2 tests this week, 3 last week, and i have 3 next week. They have had 1 test in the last 3 weeks and it has covered the same stuff that was on my tests around this time last year (when I was a first year). Also, talking to some of the upper class med students, it doesnt get harder. Easier if anything.

-JP

[dizong]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Most people have no idea how hard dental school is (godawful 4 yrs, id give anything to have it as easy as my med student roommate right now)

[/ QUOTE ]

this made me laugh

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too were you serious about this?

If so perhaps you're roommate is just a crappy med student.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps you dont know anyone in dental school. I understand he works but him and his friends are drinking in my living room right now, they havent been to class all week, all of them are A students and I have been in the lab all night after getting off class and have to be at class at 8 tomorrow for 8 hrs of lecture. Ive had 2 tests this week, 3 last week, and i have 3 next week. They have had 1 test in the last 3 weeks and it has covered the same stuff that was on my tests around this time last year (when I was a first year). Also, talking to some of the upper class med students, it doesnt get harder. Easier if anything.

-JP

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll describe medical school and leave it to you to make a comparison since i've never been to dental school:

1st yr - bust your ass, taking at least double the class workload you were used to seeing in college. Very basic science oriented, common question asked is: "what the hell does this [censored] have to do with being a doctor?"

2nd yr - bust your ass but at least the material is more clinically relevant and ultimately becomes your core fund of knowledge to which you endlessly refer during your career as an MD. It helps to pay attention to what you are reading and being lectured about, else you will look like a fool in the future.

Between 2nd and 3rd yr is time to study for the boards. A bitch of an exam, learn to stay away from a window because else you'll never get any studying done.

3rd yr - this year is make or break, you are on the wards, kissing ass without making it look so. This is the hardest year in medical school in many ways. You probably work close to 60-80 hrs weekly on the wards depending on if you take overnight call with the residents and what clinical rotation you are undertaking at the time (e.g., surgery). When not in the hospital, you need to read about the patients you are following and try to impress your superiors (to ultimately obtain crucial letters of recommendation). At the end of each rotation, there is usually a written exam. The grades obtained on each rotation this year is often cited as the most important factor to getting into a good residency.

4th yr - a year to explore other areas of medicine based on your interests. This year is cush. People by now have largely figured out where they're going after graduation.

I thought med school was tough but it depends on where you are along the above path.

dizong

[wall_st]

When someone opens up their mouth, can you immediately tell if this person is a smoker, drinks a lot of soda or coffee, or red wine ? How much do these activities actually affect the color of your teeth ?

Last time I had a cavity done my dentist did not give me enough novacaine and had to redo the novacaine twice before he got it right, what gives ?

[JMP300z]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Most people have no idea how hard dental school is (godawful 4 yrs, id give anything to have it as easy as my med student roommate right now)

[/ QUOTE ]

this made me laugh

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too were you serious about this?

If so perhaps you're roommate is just a crappy med student.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps you dont know anyone in dental school. I understand he works but him and his friends are drinking in my living room right now, they havent been to class all week, all of them are A students and I have been in the lab all night after getting off class and have to be at class at 8 tomorrow for 8 hrs of lecture. Ive had 2 tests this week, 3 last week, and i have 3 next week. They have had 1 test in the last 3 weeks and it has covered the same stuff that was on my tests around this time last year (when I was a first year). Also, talking to some of the upper class med students, it doesnt get harder. Easier if anything.

-JP

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll describe medical school and leave it to you to make a comparison since i've never been to dental school:

1st yr - bust your ass, taking at least double the class workload you were used to seeing in college. Very basic science oriented, common question asked is: "what the hell does this [censored] have to do with being a doctor?"

2nd yr - bust your ass but at least the material is more clinically relevant and ultimately becomes your core fund of knowledge to which you endlessly refer during your career as an MD. It helps to pay attention to what you are reading and being lectured about, else you will look like a fool in the future.

Between 2nd and 3rd yr is time to study for the boards. A bitch of an exam, learn to stay away from a window because else you'll never get any studying done.

3rd yr - this year is make or break, you are on the wards, kissing ass without making it look so. This is the hardest year in medical school in many ways. You probably work close to 60-80 hrs weekly on the wards depending on if you take overnight call with the residents and what clinical rotation you are undertaking at the time (e.g., surgery). When not in the hospital, you need to read about the patients you are following and try to impress your superiors (to ultimately obtain crucial letters of recommendation). At the end of each rotation, there is usually a written exam. The grades obtained on each rotation this year is often cited as the most important factor to getting into a good residency.

4th yr - a year to explore other areas of medicine based on your interests. This year is cush. People by now have largely figured out where they're going after graduation.

I thought med school was tough but it depends on where you are along the above path.

dizong

[/ QUOTE ]

You just verified to me that Med school is in fact easier and that my above statement that most people "have no idea how hard dental school is" was correct. On a side note, we dont have to do your shitty ass residency and while youre still in it, well be f'n your wife on a pile of money.

-JP

[JMP300z]

[ QUOTE ]
When someone opens up their mouth, can you immediately tell if this person is a smoker, drinks a lot of soda or coffee, or red wine ? How much do these activities actually affect the color of your teeth ?

Last time I had a cavity done my dentist did not give me enough novacaine and had to redo the novacaine twice before he got it right, what gives ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Very much stain your teeth. Superficial staining can be removed during cleaning appointments using microabrasion techniques. Deep staining can be tackled w/ various in office bleaching methods. Drop the habits if you want white teeth is the bottom line.

Novacaine is not used anymore...Lidocaine is the current drug but yah, same difference. He could have given you enough but different people metabolize it at different speeds or your anatomy could be in different in that he may have not have hit the nerves well. Other factors include bone density...are you a big guy?? thats usually a problem. There are different strength anesthetics on the market and he should have some, I cant recall the exact ones (mupivicaine, although thats not common, septicaine or articaine...damn theres so many caines.) ANyways, its not uncommon to have to reinject patients during procedures, especially if they last longer than expected. Just let your dentist know that youre experiencing discomfort and he should be able to repop you without you feeling anything.

-JP

[imported_anacardo]

Bumping in hopes of answers.

[dizong]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Most people have no idea how hard dental school is (godawful 4 yrs, id give anything to have it as easy as my med student roommate right now)

[/ QUOTE ]

this made me laugh

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too were you serious about this?

If so perhaps you're roommate is just a crappy med student.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps you dont know anyone in dental school. I understand he works but him and his friends are drinking in my living room right now, they havent been to class all week, all of them are A students and I have been in the lab all night after getting off class and have to be at class at 8 tomorrow for 8 hrs of lecture. Ive had 2 tests this week, 3 last week, and i have 3 next week. They have had 1 test in the last 3 weeks and it has covered the same stuff that was on my tests around this time last year (when I was a first year). Also, talking to some of the upper class med students, it doesnt get harder. Easier if anything.

-JP

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll describe medical school and leave it to you to make a comparison since i've never been to dental school:

1st yr - bust your ass, taking at least double the class workload you were used to seeing in college. Very basic science oriented, common question asked is: "what the hell does this [censored] have to do with being a doctor?"

2nd yr - bust your ass but at least the material is more clinically relevant and ultimately becomes your core fund of knowledge to which you endlessly refer during your career as an MD. It helps to pay attention to what you are reading and being lectured about, else you will look like a fool in the future.

Between 2nd and 3rd yr is time to study for the boards. A bitch of an exam, learn to stay away from a window because else you'll never get any studying done.

3rd yr - this year is make or break, you are on the wards, kissing ass without making it look so. This is the hardest year in medical school in many ways. You probably work close to 60-80 hrs weekly on the wards depending on if you take overnight call with the residents and what clinical rotation you are undertaking at the time (e.g., surgery). When not in the hospital, you need to read about the patients you are following and try to impress your superiors (to ultimately obtain crucial letters of recommendation). At the end of each rotation, there is usually a written exam. The grades obtained on each rotation this year is often cited as the most important factor to getting into a good residency.

4th yr - a year to explore other areas of medicine based on your interests. This year is cush. People by now have largely figured out where they're going after graduation.

I thought med school was tough but it depends on where you are along the above path.

dizong

[/ QUOTE ]

You just verified to me that Med school is in fact easier and that my above statement that most people "have no idea how hard dental school is" was correct. On a side note, we dont have to do your shitty ass residency and while youre still in it, well be f'n your wife on a pile of money.

-JP

[/ QUOTE ]

lol i guess i didn't expect that retort... Both self-assured enough to offer unsolicited professional advice (as a student) on a public forum yet so defensive when all I did was expand on a point you introduced earlier.
Sorry if I offended you, I'll leave you alone. enjoy your life bro

dizong

[dogsballs]

Great idea for a thread.

I got a couple of crowns in. Does the metal at the base of the crown (where it attaches the tooth base) leach at all? Maybe noone knows cos maybe that has not been studied. ie, does this metal get in your system through slow long term leaching of the metals used?