Q: A dentist told me I need gum surgery, which will involve thousands of dollars of treatment, stitches and many appointments. I already had this done back in the 80’s. Should I seek a second opinion?…Mel in West Palm Beach.
A: Every year a poll is taken on what are the most trust worthy professions. The top three, year after year, not necessarily in this order, are clergy, pharmacist and (you guessed it) dentists. A second opinion might be in order after a trip to the confession booth, or when the pharmacist recommends a jock itch cream or when a dentist recommends full mouth periodontal surgery. Second opinions are a fact of life. See both a general dentist and a periodontist for their take. It might be possible to perform more conservative treatments such as non-surgical root planning and curettage with the injection of sub-gingival (under the gum) antibiotics such as Arestin for pocket depths of 5 millimeters or less. Pockets over 5 millimeters with bleeding and/or advanced bone loss may benefit from extraction of the tooth and implant placement for a long-term prognosis. For a free consumer guide on this subject, contact us.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers, Choosing a Dental Office and NEW TOPIC: Oral Care for Cancer Patients, at the Boynton Beach Jewish, Ross J.C.C. on Jog Road on Wednesday February 22nd at 10:00 am. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. Seating is limited. Call today to register at 561-740-9000. Ask for the Adult Lecture Series.
Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts the “Tooth Talk” radio show on Fridays at 11am and Tuesdays at 8:30am on WBZT AM1230. (www.radiotoothtalk.com) On staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Dr. Mitchell Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry.
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drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com