Do dentists know what they're doing?

Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by pedalpete on Wednesday October 14, 2026 @05:10PM (#50095339)

Dentistry needs an overhall in general. It seems antiquated, and I was hopeful when Wally Dental care raised VC funding that this was a new direction for dentistry, but it seems to be just dentist as a subscription.

I've never really had problems with my teeth and don't go to the dentist often. The last time I went they told me I needed to get my wisdom teeth out. Do they both me? No. Not only that, but in order to get them out, because I have deep roots, they would need to chip away at both my jaw and cheek bones to get them out.

I thought the entire thing was funny when I kept pushing for the "why do these need to come out" and the response was, well, without taking them out, we can't guarantee that you won't need to get them out later and that would be even more difficult then.

But the one way we can guarantee we don't need to take them out later is to take them out now.

I haven't been back to the dentist again.

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by ikrenji on Wednesday October 14, 2026 @07:55PM (#50097326)

taking out wisdom teeth without a good reason is a america only thing. not done in europe

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by lifestyleguru on Thursday October 15, 2026 @03:07AM (#50100277)

In Germany they remove wisdom teeth without good reason as well. Don't even single out individual tooth but say 'all four out'. If you are youngish and trust the dentist, you'd have them removed.

In many other European countries they're less likely to do it only because it has to be done within private care and paid out of the pocket.

Source: personal experience.

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by igleria on Thursday October 15, 2026 @05:30AM (#50101267)

I actually went through this with my wife because the public insurance covered it. terrible experience... but free.

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by KellyCriterion on Saturday October 17, 2026 @09:25AM (#50130975)

You could pay 70 bucks on top to get sedation, so you do not experience anything. And for most people it makes the next 4-5 days much easier.

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by tete on Thursday October 15, 2026 @03:44AM (#50100554)

I really don't think it's an America only thing, since I sometimes feel like the only person who still has them in and I live in Europe.

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by pedalpete on Saturday October 17, 2026 @10:21PM (#50137253)

I'm in Australia

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by Madmallard on Wednesday October 14, 2026 @06:49PM (#50096627)

You act as if there isn't a science to it but there is...

Wisdom teeth that don't have room cause other teeth to misalign, dissolve the enamel and cause the tooth next to them to fail overtime, and if impacted can lead to jawbone infections, which underneath the lower molars are in the most dangerous spot they could be for causing life threatening consequences if unlucky or untreated...

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by throwawayffffas on Thursday October 15, 2026 @11:11AM (#50104852)

The main thing that has to be done is stop them from doing, botox, fillers, full veneers over all the healthy teeth etc. In general separate the cosmetic aspect from the health aspect.

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Re:Do dentists know what they're doing? by KellyCriterion on Saturday October 17, 2026 @09:23AM (#50130963)

Regarding Wisdom Teeth:

The thing is, even if they not bother you currently, they are usually forcing a lot of preassure onto the others, so the lining may be problem in some years. And the preassure can really destroy your teeth line over 2 - 3 years.

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