Holistic Dentist Destroyed My Bite
Posted by Annmarie SanSevero
I should start out by saying I live in a small city and there is only one holistic dentist, which was an important component of me choosing who to see. I wanted to have a metal based crown replaced with a zirconia one as well as replace my silver fillings, which are loaded with mercury. I haven’t had any problems with the replacement to the white fillings. At least not so far, but I’ve lost trust in this dentist. The real problems started with the dental crown. She used a new CAD/CAM technology that allows you to get your dental crown in one day without having to wait for it to be sent out to a lab. I loved that idea. I should have been alarmed when she cemented the crown in without even seeing if it fit right. It didn’t. I told her my bite felt off and she did some sanding down of the crown and sent me on my way. I tried to “get used to it” but ended up going back a couple of weeks later. She said the problem was that now the molar in front of my crown was hitting my upper arch too soon and she sanded that one as well. This tooth had never had problems before this crown. That action seemed to throw off some of my front teeth, so the sanded those as well! This resulted in them getting a little crooked. Now, everything is even worse and she is telling me that my problem is orthodontic. I don’t believe that for a second. I ended up getting a second opinion. That dentist used bite registration paper and told me that the crown the holistic dentist did is too small and seated wrong. His opinion was that I needed to replace the same-day crown with a bigger one, he uses the same technology as the original dentist. I’d also need to add material to the tooth that she ground down. He didn’t see the need for orthodontics, unless I wanted to straighten the front teeth. I’m not sure I trust this new technology and the dentist that I got the second opinion from is not holistic. I’m in a quandary as to what to do, but I certainly can’t live like this. Plus, now my front teeth are too small to me and look weird after she ground them down. What do you recommend?
Carol Anne
Dear Carol Anne,
Thank you for sharing this with me. You have been through a lot with this and I believe, based on what you’ve described that your dentist has violated the standard of care. The CAD/CAM technology isn’t the problem. In fact, when used properly, it actually produces better fitting crowns. However, to do that the dentist has to input the correct information and know how to use the program. It doesn’t sound like your dentist did. Second, she did not do a try-in on the dental crown. This was a mistake. Third, she did work on teeth that didn’t have a problem. I think she’s at risk for a lawsuit here. In your place, I would press for a refund. If she resists, tell her that you are willing to get a lawyer involved, if you are. You will need another dentist to testify on your behalf if it comes to that. Your second opinion dentist should be willing to do that. Either way, get his notes on your case.
If you’re looking for holistic type of care, you don’t necessarily have to see a holistic dentist. There are plenty of dentists who are willing to work with patients with metal sensitivities. It is better to be with a non-holistic dentist willing to work with you on materials than an incompetent holistic dentist. Start by looking for a mercury-free dentist or a metal-free dentist. As for your front teeth, a great cosmetic dentist can provide you with dental bonding to restore them to their previous size and shape. Just make sure they are a skilled cosmetic dentist. In fact, start there, because that is the hardest, and then see if they are also willing to work with you on the holistic requirements.
This blog is brought to you by Franklin, TN Dentist Dr. Christopher Weber.
