Can you do your own dental work?

[TJE"]

Obviously not fillings/root canal work.

But if you had a rotting tooth at the back of your jaw that was causing some pain:

How advisable would it be to get a small mirror and a pair of quality small pliers and remove it yourself?

I am guessing sterilization/anathaesia would be important afterwards - so maybe a high strength disenfenctant mouthwash followed by couple of shots of brandy?

[Birdbrain]

If you have to ask, I'd say no. Severe pain is a certainty. Infection is a strong possibility. Breaking the rotten tooth and leaving the root intact, with nerve exposed, is likely. If you're rich enough to own a guitar and close enough to civilization to have an internet connection, do try to cheap out on this one.

[TJE"]

Originally Posted by Birdbrain

If you have to ask, I'd say no. Severe pain is a certainty. Infection is a strong possibility. Breaking the rotten tooth and leaving the root intact, with nerve exposed, is likely. If you're rich enough to own a guitar and close enough to civilization to have an internet connection, do try to cheap out on this one.

Yes I was seriously considering it, as in theory it seemed like a simple procedure.

So thank you for the heads up on the potential pitfalls.

[joe white]

Sure! With that mirror and some patience you could most likely perform your own vasectomy too. Well, that is if you are certain that you no longer want children.

Okay, sarcasm and snarkiness aside, I hope you are only mildly serious about the dental work. I admit that as a self proclaimed do it yourselfer, the temptation to tackle nearly every repair on a home, car, appliance, guitar, shoe etc can often be accomplished successfully but unless you are stranded hundreds of miles from any form of modern civilization, I can see no upside to attempting such a difficult and possibly dangerous task.

Call around to several local dental offices and try to get a rough estimate of cost and hopefully you can find a reputable dentist to help you.

[joe white]

I should add that if cost is an issue, explain that to the office that you call and they may be willing to work with you on price or payment options.

[srick]

“A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient.” - Sir William Osler.

Seriously, as a dentist, I can tell you that you have no idea of what you are dealing with. I could write volumes about potential complications and issues that you haven’t dreamed of. In fact, because of the many potential complications and liabilities, I no longer extract teeth in my office - and I have forty years experience - So take that for what it's worth.

If cost is a factor, I recommend that you go to a local dental school. Also, most hospitals have a dental department.

Good luck with this, please do the smart thing.

Rick

[RP]

Originally Posted by Birdbrain

If you have to ask, I'd say no. Severe pain is a certainty. Infection is a strong possibility. Breaking the rotten tooth and leaving the root intact, with nerve exposed, is likely. If you're rich enough to own a guitar and close enough to civilization to have an internet connection, do try to cheap out on this one.

Originally Posted by srick

“A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient.” - Sir William Osler.

Seriously, as a dentist, I can tell you that you have no idea of what you are dealing with. I could write volumes about potential complications and issues that you haven’t dreamed of. In fact, because of the many potential complications and liabilities, I no longer extract teeth in my office - and I have forty years experience - So take that for what it's worth.

If cost is a factor, I recommend that you go to a local dental school. Also, most hospitals have a dental department.

Good luck with this, please do the smart thing.

Rick

I had a bunch of dental work done at VCU Dental School and was very pleased. If it's a matter of funds, I'd pursue the dental school route and cry poverty way before I tried to remove one of my own molars. There could be numerous complications that could end up costing you way more than you thought you'd save...

[rmp]

oh GOD don't do this...

Do you realize that any infection that may start in your mouth or teeth, will / can go directly to your heart?

just ask my brother in-law.. he let an abscess tooth go longer than he should have, he now has a pig valve in place of his aorta.. That's where it went..

Eventually THAT will have to be replaced, (open heart surgery)

Brutha,, don't mess with this..

[k_russell]

Originally Posted by TJE"

Obviously not fillings/root canal work.

But if you had a rotting tooth at the back of your jaw that was causing some pain:

How advisable would it be to get a small mirror and a pair of quality small pliers and remove it yourself?

I am guessing sterilization/anathaesia would be important afterwards - so maybe a high strength disenfenctant mouthwash followed by couple of shots of brandy?

I wouldn't recommend it, but I knew a man that did pretty much what you describe. He lived into his late 80's.

[BrunoBlack]

I think you should place yourself under general anesthesia before you attempt this procedure

[619TF]

"Can" you do it? Probably. "Should" you? No way. This is one area where I look to a pro. Even a dental student is better than doing it yourself in this case.

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by srick

“A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient.” - Sir William Osler.

Seriously, as a dentist, I can tell you that you have no idea of what you are dealing with. I could write volumes about potential complications and issues that you haven’t dreamed of. In fact, because of the many potential complications and liabilities, I no longer extract teeth in my office - and I have forty years experience - So take that for what it's worth.

If cost is a factor, I recommend that you go to a local dental school. Also, most hospitals have a dental department.

Good luck with this, please do the smart thing.

Rick

Interesting insight! About 6 months ago I was having problems with a molar, and went to see my family dentist. He told me my options for the tooth were to have a root canal or to have it extracted. Based on cost and location of the tooth I told him I preferred extraction, and he told me that he would refer me to an extraction specialist as he no longer performed extractions in his office. I was surprised. I thought general dentistry included tooth extraction, and he had done a tooth extraction for my wife some years earlier. Obviously, things in the field of dentistry had changed, as your comments above clearly indicate.

In the end, I was very pleased with the experience I had at the dental extraction specialty office. Painless, quick and relatively inexpensive at several thousand dollars less than a root canal.

[TJE"]

OK I am convinced by the medical experts above that DIY dental work is an extremely bad idea.

Reluctantly I have to say.... because I would'nt allow anyone but me to mess around re-stringing my 12 string.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by TJE"

OK I am convinced by the medical experts above that DIY dental work is an extremely bad idea.

Reluctantly I have to say.... because I would'nt allow anyone but me to mess around re-stringing my 12 string.

Ha! then again ya don't have eat using your 12 Or do you ?

[Ozzy the dog]

Originally Posted by TJE"

How advisable would it be to get a small mirror and a pair of quality small pliers and remove it yourself?

Chuck Noland had the exact same problem as you described but he used an ice skating boot and a rock....... and if you don't believe me, he was filmed doing it....



Please DO NOT try this at home.