Vowel Lady,


Seems to be two different categories...sort of like an accredited member vs. a general member.

1. Does anyone know the main difference between the two?
I DON'T BELIEVE THERE REALLY IS A DIFFERENCE. THOSE THAT CLAIM TO BE MERCURY REMOVAL CERTIFIED ARE ACCREDITED, THOSE THAT DO NOT CLAIM THAT CERTIFICATION ARE CONSIDERED MEMBERS. HOWEVER THE CERTIFICATION DOES NOT MEAN ONE DENTIST DOES ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN ANOTHER ONE. SOME DENTISTS PREFER TO ADVERTISE THAT CERT WHEREAS OTHERS DO NOT.

2. Also, what is the main difference between a DDS and a DMD?
DDS MEANS DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY OR DENTAL SCIENCE.
DMD MEANS DOCTOR OF DENTAL MEDICINE. ALL OF WHICH MEAN THE SAME THING. DIFFERENT INITIALS FOR DIFFERENT SCHOOLS, THAT'S ALL,

3. Are less and less people getting root canals?
ROOT CANAL THERAPY IS PERFORMED EVERY DAY TO MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE US. HOWEVER, IT'S A SLOW CRAWL BUT MORE DENTAL OFFICES ARE OFFERING EXTRACTION AS AN OPTION WITH REPLACEMENT OF A DENTAL IMPLANT RATHER THAN ROOT CANAL THERAPY DUE TO THE INFLUX OF INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE LINK BETWEEN ORAL INFECTION AND SYSTEMIC HEALTH.

4. What is the best TX (generally) for a cracked tooth?
DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE CRACK... A CROWN OR AN EXTRACTION. ROOT CANAL THERAPY CANNOT IMPROVE OR REMOVE THE CRACK IN A TOOTH. IF THE CRACK IS BELOW THE GUMLINE, BACTERIA WILL GET INTO IT NO MATTER WHAT IS DONE TO THE TOOTH. SOMETIMES THE CRACK IS IN THE PORTION OF A TOOTH ABOVE THE GUM LINE AND IT CAN BE SMOOTHED OUT AND FILLED IN, THEN CROWNED.

Bryanna