Hi, I'm new and about to have dental implants. Scares me to death because all the dentists I've talked with have given me conflicting information. I just had the impressions made. I'm going to a state dental school to have the work done.

Information from the residents in the pros department has been corrected by the head of the department. This has happened each time I've been there.
When he leaves, they turn back into their previous selves and give me different info.

The surgical department has already taken out six lower teeth. There are five left to extract before they put in the titanium implants. Now they tell me that they may have to do bone grafts before that. The initial surgeon did not feel there would be that need, but he was operating when I was there, so all I saw were the residents and interns.

No one is coordinating this process. I'm 77, in poor health but have my doctor's okay to do this. I can't talk with them when all this stuff is in my mouth. They usually aren't there when it's out.

I've been running into age discrimination for a long time, so I'm used to it. It just doesn't help me when I'm being talked to like " there, there little lady, don't you worry". Well, I do. Does anyone know what I mean?

Enough for now. Jon

Hi Jon,

You are right to be concerned about the conflicting information you are getting! I sure would be!!

I'm going to assume from your post that you have come here to vent some of your frustrations but also to see if anyone could give you some insight into this....... am I right??

Well, I am quite familiar with dental treatment provided in dental schools. I understand that they need to practice on real people and I know there is a discount to the patient for the work that is done. Personally, I would never have the students work on me, but especially in the case of periodonal or oral surgery or dental implants. It takes alot of experience to properly know how to perform surgery of any kind. Secondly, any time you are introducing a foreign matter like dental implants into the body, there is no room for error. Everything must be impeccably sterilized and there can be no cross contamination even from a patients own saliva into the implant site.

Dental students are generally focused and graded on their technique, not the outcome. If the outcome fails, they get to do it again....... now that's something most of us wouldn't think of!

The kaotic circumstances that usually occur in the dental schools stems from the EGO affected by the inability to perform confidently while someone is looking over your shoulder. Many things are covered up to make the technician look good and the dentists overseeing it all, knows that's what's going on so they come in and switch things up.

I hope your situation turns out ok! All you can do is go with your gut instinct and if you feel that there is too much back and forth nonsense and the treatment plan keeps changing, ask for another consult to clarify what is going on.

Please keep us posted on how things are going.

Bryanna

!00 per cent right, Bryanna! I am frustrated and I REALLY need more insight than I have. The surgeon is not a student. He's the head of the department, and I liked him a lot when he removed the teeth. He's the one who will do the implants. He's also the one who was operating when I was there last, so I couldn't talk with him.

The pros department is what scares me more. The first intern kept trying to sell me on dentures which I know I can't handle. She told me implants with fixed bridges couldn't be done and that all of this would probably take about 4 to 5 years. The department head finally came in and disagreed (nicely) with everything she'd said. We reached an understanding about what needed to be done and how.

Two weeks later I went in for impressions, etc, and saw a different intern. He seemed nice at first while the assistant was there, but his accent (Indian) was difficult for me to understand. He sent me down to the surgery department (not sure why ), told me to come back up when they finished and was fuming in the hall when I did.

Surgery had told me not to get a temporary denture since it would irritate my implants. Pros. intern says they don't know what they're talking about and wanted their names. Within half an hour he'd made my temps, pinched my lips, cheeks, and chin dozens of times, taken his pictures, had his overseer in, made the corrections, pinched and fumed some more. Then told me to make an appointment the 24th of March. He would be gone for the next two weeks. There was so much more when I questioned him because he wasn't making common sense. I gave up. He hurried me out because they closed at five. I'd spent four hours there.

Having privately done implants is not an option. I've read about all the things that have gone right and wrong with all the people who have written, and this is the first place I've ever heard of most of the problems and solutions. I've written myself notes to ask them about things, but I have no more than a weak hope that they'll even know about them.

This is rather vague, I know, but is there anything specific I can do other than opt in or out? I have to get someone to drive me. I'ts 3 hours back and forth plus time in the school. Do you think that discussing this with the department heads ( another trip ) will help any? No one seems to be coordinating any of this.

Thanks so much for answering me. Your answers to others have been so enlightening, too. You must be a dedicated person to give of yourself like this. I thank you very much again.

Jon

Hi Jon,

My apologies for my late reply..... my cup runneth over!!

I'm going to be very honest with you........ many people complain about the same things that you are when they have to deal with two separate specialites. The prostho dept thinks they have all the answers and wants the surgeons to do as they say and the OS dept thinks they have all the answers. Meanwhile, the patient ends up wrapped up in all that political mumbo jumbo!!

Depending on your bite and where the implants are placed, a temporary denture can usually be made so it does not interfere with the implants. There are several months of healing once the implants are placed and you will need adjustments to that temporary denture during this healing phase.

As for the coordination of your treatment...... I believe it is imperative that you know exactly what is being planned for you. The prostho and OS dept have to be on the same page or you will find yourself back and forth more times than necessary. Is there someone who is coordinating your entire treatment plan that you could talk to on the phone? It sounds to me like you are in a whirlwind and you are feeling the stress of some uncertainties. Before I would let anyone proceed, I would want to have a clear understanding of what the treatment plan is and what my options are. Especially if both depts are not in agreement with each other.

I wish I could be more helpful to you. I know this is very stressful and confusing for you and it truly doesn't need to be. If you want to know more of what is going on, then don't hesitate to ask the one who is treating you for an explanation. Even though they are using your mouth as a tool to learn, their work still has to be done well and serve you well for the rest of your life.... right!!

Keep in touch .... let us know how things are going!

Bryanna

Today was not a good day for me. At 8:30 a.m., I received a call from the dental school that the dentist had called in sick and my appointment would have to be rescheduled.

Why was this so bad, you ask, it happens all the time. After my previously described appointments, my daughter decided to help me, so she emailed the department head, described my concerns and asked to meet with him. We were given the appointment this morning.

. My daughter teaches school, so she had to get a substitute for today. By the time they called, it was too late to cancel. She lost a day at work.

. I'd had about 5 hours sleep. It's difficult for me to unbend and move in the mornings, so I set the clock early - then can't sleep for worrying that I won't hear it ring. Ridiculous, I know, but it's a lifetime problem, and, in spite of it, I've always managed to be on time for whatever. I'm 77 years old now, and the payback is harder each day that I have to push.

. I was all dressed up with nowhere to go! The drive takes about 2 hours each way, so I was ready to leave when the call came.

. The receptionist hasn't called back to reschedule. Their office closed 2 hours ago.

. This is more of the same treatment I've already described, and it's all been with the pros department. Would it do any good to discuss this with the head of the dental school or the president of the medical university under which it operates?

I know no one can give me any answers, but thanks for letting me vent!

Jon

Hi Jon,

Can I tell you that SO many people have told me the same story about having dental treatment in a dental school!!

I think it certainly can't hurt to complain to somebody about this. Your time is valuable and it should not be taken for granted! I would write a complaint letter and send copies to the head of the department and the dean of the university. I'm sure they have heard the same complaints from others, so you won't be the only one.

I know this is all very stressful for you........ please try to remain optimistic about the outcome. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!!!

Keep us posted.............

Bryanna ~'.'~