Dentistry in Trouble?

[rook56]

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Sorry about the cryptic title, but I knew that it would get some eyeballs. I am sure that this has been discussed before, but I believe that this will be an issue in years to come.

Today, I opened up the new edition of Chemical and Engineering News, and I found an article called "Rebuilding Teeth." As many of you know, the process in development is known as remineralization. While current products can only strengthen enamel, the new products would actually rebuild dentin as well. The article states that "the availability of remineralization techniques could begin to reduce the number of cavities that need to be filled." Progress is being made, and preliminary trials seem to show promising results.
Do you think that a commercially available product such as this would significantly harm this profession? Of course I want to help people and ease pain, but at the same time I do not want to enter a declining profession. On the other hand, could this possibly help the profession by increasing patient responsibility and decreasing dental phobia? Any thoughts?

 

[Neuro178]

Just a thought - there are always going to be people who won't take care of their teeth. Maybe there would be a slight decrease in patients with cavities, but I think there are still going to be people who won't use those products and will still have cavities.

Also, it's still in the research phase. It may be 10-20+ years before it actually works!! Even then, people will still be wary of its effects, doubt that it will work, etc.

 

[qwerty86]

Oh no! Guess I will be heading to local book store tomo. for an mcat preparation book. Thanks.

 

[anamod]

No there are too many stupid people out there. There is a solution to this problem already, it's called regular recall and using the right end of the tooth brush.

 

[tncekm]

Dentists do much more than fill cavities, I'm sure they'll survive. Plus, who do you think will be performing the remineralization procedures?

 

[Typo]

What's wrong with you? Don't you want to help people?

 

[SugarNaCl]

I don't know personally, but from what I hear, no. Many dentists will already tell you that 'cavities' are becoming scarce. The future will be in cosmetic dentistry. However, I agree plenty of people don't follow on oral health and that probably will also contribute a large portion of our future patient bank

 

[dentstd]

People can't even brush their teeth properly. I doubt they can use that remineralization tenhnique properly too.

 

[JamieMac]

Isn't this the same thing they said when we began putting Fluoride in our water? Besides, younger generations will continue to consume drinks filled with high amounts of sugar on a daily basis.

 

[MONKEYBOY]

As a dentist, my goal is to help patients get to their goals for oral health.

Innovations improving patient health are welcomed, and this is an exciting time to be in the healing professions.

If this discovery does make filling cavities and other procedures obsolete, patients will always seek dental care.

We ought to welcome new techniques that may improve patient care.

 

[Visceral]

Dentists do much more than fill cavities, I'm sure they'll survive. Plus, who do you think will be performing the remineralization procedures?

Ding, Ding, Ding!

That's pretty much what it comes down to. Dentists do more than fill cavities and there will always be people who neglect their oral health. Overall, the incidence of caries has declined over the past few decades while the income of dentists has grown drastically, even relative to other health care professions. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

I am personally very excited about this research, along with potentially being able to "grow" a tooth many years in the future. This is great for the patients and allows us to treat them better.

 

[aphistis]

People can't even brush their teeth properly. I doubt they can use that remineralization tenhnique properly too.

Bingo. As long as sugar remains a dietary staple, dental caries will never go away.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I haven't had a cavity in 15+ years. But I've had other dental issues that cost me a lot more money than a few cavities would. I think my dentist is OK with it.

 

[210116]

Time to become an orthodontist! 🙂

 

[tncekm]

I haven't had a cavity in 15+ years. But I've had other dental issues that cost me a lot more money than a few cavities would. I think my dentist is OK with it.

Exactly... i.e. you can have cavity-less teeth and still be a quad scale patient that, if not taken care of, can lose all of your teeth.

 

[ItsGavinC]

The article states that "the availability of remineralization techniques could begin to reduce the number of cavities that need to be filled."

Won't change much. Fl, brushing, and flossing also reduce the number of cavities that need to be filled.

 

[kevin512]

Recently I learned about a biotech start-up called Oragenics. If anything "destroys" dentistry, Oragenics will be the cause. The company took Strep. mutans and through molecular genetics made a new version of the bug. This mutant bacteria will take the place of the cariogenic S. mutans that we have in our mouth. I am seriously thinking about buying some shares- they're only $0.50 each...

 

[dentstd]

Recently I learned about a biotech start-up called Oragenics. If anything "destroys" dentistry, Oragenics will be the cause. The company took Strep. mutans and through molecular genetics made a new version of the bug. This mutant bacteria will take the place of the cariogenic S. mutans that we have in our mouth. I am seriously thinking about buying some shares- they're only $0.50 each...

And this strain is supposed to replace the original S. mutans in the mouths of billions of people worldwide? How would that happen? My mouth is here, and their lab is there. Creating a new strain of bacteria won't replace the current strain. We already have a way of killing bacteria. We just can't wipe it off the face of the earth. This new strain won't do a thing.

 

[KOM]

And this strain is supposed to replace the original S. mutans in the mouths of billions of people worldwide? How would that happen? My mouth is here, and their lab is there. Creating a new strain of bacteria won't replace the current strain. We already have a way of killing bacteria. We just can't wipe it off the face of the earth. This new strain won't do a thing.

The company will also need to come up with some innovative advertising techniques as well if they hope to get people to use it.

For example, try this one out...

All you have to do is inject 5cc's of our new, molecular engineered, mutant superbug into your mouth...let them permanently colonize it and PRESTO!

 

[Lopyswine]

the world has been blitzed with BRUSH AND FLOSS for over 50 years now and I don't see dentistry in decline. If anything technology will continue to open up new avenues for us to use our degrees.

 

[PrePerio]

Plus, I figure the dentists graduating from school within the next few years will mostly be taking care of the baby boomer generation. They have more teeth than the generation above them (i.e. fewer complete denture patients), but they have plenty of periodontal disease and previously placed restorations that will likely fail in the future (lots of re-dos of MOD composites). The future is looking pretty good.

 

[KOM]

Plus, I figure the dentists graduating from school within the next few years will mostly be taking care of the baby boomer generation. They have more teeth than the generation above them (i.e. fewer complete denture patients), but they have plenty of periodontal disease and previously placed restorations that will likely fail in the future (lots of re-dos of MOD composites). The future is looking pretty good.

That is until the baby boomers decide they want more affordable healthcare.

 

[tncekm]

That is until the baby boomers decide they want more affordable healthcare.

Yeah, no kidding. The AARP is already insanely powerful, imagine what it will be like in a few years when the baby boomer generation is allowed to join the club? For the sake of all of you dental professionals I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think that dental health will continue to be so immune to the crap that physicians have to put up with. Big brother and the AARP are coming at ya. 🙁

 

[ptrianon]

Yeah, no kidding. The AARP is already insanely powerful, imagine what it will be like in a few years when the baby boomer generation is allowed to join the club? For the sake of all of you dental professionals I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think that dental health will continue to be so immune to the crap that physicians have to put up with. Big brother and the AARP are coming at ya. 🙁

Almost all dentistry is elective and will never be covered to the esthetic and functional standards that most people expect. As they age, baby boomers will have to pay for their dentistry just like they will have to pay for their luxury sedans.

As far as physicians go I am of the opinion that many specialties are already at their tipping point where no one will go into them and compensations will have to increase due to demand. This already happened to Neurosurgery where now hospitals have to pay fair compensations to staff neurosurgeons just to operate an ER/ICU.

 

[tncekm]

Almost all dentistry is elective and will never be covered to the esthetic and functional standards that most people expect. As they age, baby boomers will have to pay for their dentistry just like they will have to pay for their luxury sedans.

As far as physicians go I am of the opinion that many specialties are already at their tipping point where no one will go into them and compensations will have to increase due to demand. This already happened to Neurosurgery where now hospitals have to pay fair compensations to staff neurosurgeons just to operate an ER/ICU.

I understand where you're coming from, but I think that standard dental care will become a "right" eventually--all it takes is enough people screaming for it for politicians to justify their cries make it happen for political expediency. While I don't think things like crowns, implants, etc, will be covered (just like nobody will ever get free plastic surgery), I think that there will probably be much more government intervention for quad scales, basic cleanings,etc... things that are directly related to overall health.

I could be wrong, but I personally see things headed that way, especially if socialized healthcare becomes a reality in the US. People will see that they get free medical, and they'll start begging for dental, etc. I started envisioning this happening since there has been considerable media coverage lately about how dental health has been very closely linked to overall health.

JMO

As far as your idea about what's going on with physicians, I hope you're right! I hope you're right about everything, actually 😛

 

[Visceral]

Don't worry about socialized dentistry. I highly doubt it will occur for a variety of reasons, including the huge elective component of dental treatment. And even that isn't clear cut; when does orthodontic treatment cease preventing problems due to poor occlusion and become a purely elective cosmetic procedure?

In Canada, with our socialized medicine and all there is practically no talk of expanding to bring dentistry under the umbrella. It's actually quite the opposite where many health care professionals are being removed from the umbrealla (ODs, PTs etc.)

Socialized dentistry was attempted in England and has failed miserably. Read about dentistry and NHS if you are scared.

Anyways, I am all for increased access to care, however when the government begins to meddle in affairs they become rife with bureaucracy and thus very inefficient.

 

[My3kGT]

If you ever get a break from the books and the lab, The BBC Channel (if you have cable) did a documentary called "The Worst Teeth In Britain", which they are re-running from time to time. Rest assured there are PLENTY of people in need of dental care.

 

[HupHolland]

Dentists do much more than fill cavities, I'm sure they'll survive. Plus, who do you think will be performing the remineralization procedures?

Exactly. This is like saying that Derms were doomed after Proactiv came on the market.

Dentistry is, and will continue to be, an innovative field. All advances are welcome. If you believe otherwise, I suggest a career not as a health professional.

-Hup!

 

[Rajan247]

Sorry about the cryptic title, but I knew that it would get some eyeballs. I am sure that this has been discussed before, but I believe that this will be an issue in years to come.

Today, I opened up the new edition of Chemical and Engineering News, and I found an article called "Rebuilding Teeth." As many of you know, the process in development is known as remineralization. While current products can only strengthen enamel, the new products would actually rebuild dentin as well. The article states that "the availability of remineralization techniques could begin to reduce the number of cavities that need to be filled." Progress is being made, and preliminary trials seem to show promising results.
Do you think that a commercially available product such as this would significantly harm this profession? Of course I want to help people and ease pain, but at the same time I do not want to enter a declining profession. On the other hand, could this possibly help the profession by increasing patient responsibility and decreasing dental phobia? Any thoughts?

Simply Answer, NO, they have a fantastic healing product and its called Fluoride and its cheap 🙂

People dont take care of their teeth, and no miracle product is going to stop that.

 

[toofshucker]

So far I have produced/treatment planned almost 15K of work in dental school in my first month of seeing patients and not one of my procedures is a filling. Fillings and cleanings, while important, won't make or break your practice.

 

[capisce?]

So far I have produced/treatment planned almost 15K of work in dental school in my first month of seeing patients and not one of my procedures is a filling. Fillings and cleanings, while important, won't make or break your practice.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one. In my first 8 days in private practice as a pediatric dentist, I produced over 36k on restorations and prophies. While a pedo practice may base more of its revenue on hygiene than a GP it's still a significant part of practice.

 

[denticus]

Don't really know that much about remineralization but I do know that anything that can improve "dentistry" is a good thing. This may only redefine in the future what it means to be a dentist. It's just difficult for me how you can be concerned about oral care and improving the quality of life as a dentist and not get excited about this prospect. Dentists are not in trouble. If anything, science will continue to find ways aid us in our pursuit to improve quality of life.

 

[aphistis]

So far I have produced/treatment planned almost 15K of work in dental school in my first month of seeing patients and not one of my procedures is a filling. Fillings and cleanings, while important, won't make or break your practice.

Agree with capisce. Your first month of dental school clinic isn't something you should be drawing too many generalizations from. 😉

 

[toofshucker]

capsice and aphitis...the know all be alls. You guys completely missed the points. But good for you. 🙄

 

[capisce?]

capsice and aphitis...the know all be alls. You guys completely missed the points. But good for you. 🙄

Do you have any idea of what the breakdown is for restorative and preventative in a standard general practice? I'm all ears because I'm sure you don't. But I'm sure your dental school experience will really translate into how it is in private practice. Keep spreading misinformation.

For those interested in factual information from people actually in private practice I would suggest heading over to dentaltown rather than listen to people like the above.

 

[aphistis]

capsice and aphitis...the know all be alls. You guys completely missed the points. But good for you. 🙄

Neither capisce nor I are know-it-all's, nor have we ever claimed to be. We *are* both practicing dentists, though, with more experience to draw from than a single month of school clinic.

 

[anamod]

Until they figure out a vaccine for stupidity we will all be busy. The shallow end of gene pool seems to be filling up pretty fast.

 

[tinker bell]

I don't know personally, but from what I hear, no. Many dentists will already tell you that 'cavities' are becoming scarce. The future will be in cosmetic dentistry. However, I agree plenty of people don't follow on oral health and that probably will also contribute a large portion of our future patient bank

"Cavities are becoming scarce"? Are you kidding me? That will not happen until all candy companies in this country go bankrupt. Even then, you still have soda, starch, pasta, etc....... Come to where I work and you will see cavities come in kilo and lbs. Forget micro and milli. Always below CEJ & always on top of the pulp chamber. The last time I did an ideal prep was probably when I took my board exam.

 

[OceanDMD]

I don't know personally, but from what I hear, no. Many dentists will already tell you that 'cavities' are becoming scarce. The future will be in cosmetic dentistry. However, I agree plenty of people don't follow on oral health and that probably will also contribute a large portion of our future patient bank

I had the busiest "cavity" month of my career in June.

 

[letsgfuad]

Sorry about the cryptic title, but I knew that it would get some eyeballs. I am sure that this has been discussed before, but I believe that this will be an issue in years to come.

Today, I opened up the new edition of Chemical and Engineering News, and I found an article called "Rebuilding Teeth." As many of you know, the process in development is known as remineralization. While current products can only strengthen enamel, the new products would actually rebuild dentin as well. The article states that "the availability of remineralization techniques could begin to reduce the number of cavities that need to be filled." Progress is being made, and preliminary trials seem to show promising results.
Do you think that a commercially available product such as this would significantly harm this profession? Of course I want to help people and ease pain, but at the same time I do not want to enter a declining profession. On the other hand, could this possibly help the profession by increasing patient responsibility and decreasing dental phobia? Any thoughts?

I dont know if this has been said cause im too lazy to read it all, but as more research occurs they will link more diseases due to oral health. With in the last few years many links have been made. As this occurs, oral health will become very very valuable. Im no dentist, but i dont think cavities are solely an indication of oral health. Im sure some patients have no cavities, but still have oral health problems (ie Gums)

Please correct me if im wrong. I really know nothing

 

[dentist_to_be?]

Only 20% of the population is actually susceptible to caries (cavities), yet dentists are still over-flowing with patients. Trust me, there will always be people that refuse to take care of their teeth, and will require a dentist. Besides, if these new "remineralization" techniques do come into play, the dentist will be the one's whole handle the procedure.

 

[whoispittsnogle]

Oh no! Guess I will be heading to local book store tomo. for an mcat preparation book. Thanks.

lol

 

[MONKEYBOY]

m

 

[MONKEYBOY]

Original Post: "Do you think that a commercially available product such as this would significantly harm this profession? Of course I want to help people and ease pain, but at the same time I do not want to enter a declining profession."

What would you (the Regis and Kathy Lee's of America) think of an AIDS researcher who says, I don't want to find something that would end the task of treating/curing AIDS, cause that would put me out of work!

Threads like this remind me of why the term 'dentard'--used to describe dental students--originated.

 

[ldsmbhc]

Original Post: "Do you think that a commercially available product such as this would significantly harm this profession? Of course I want to help people and ease pain, but at the same time I do not want to enter a declining profession."

What would you (the Regis and Kathy Lee's of America) think of an AIDS researcher who says, I don't want to find something that would end the task of treating/curing AIDS, cause that would put me out of work!

Threads like this remind me of why the term 'dentard'--used to describe dental students--originated.

It is possiable that the person you are quoting cares and wants to help people more than you do. It is possible that the real concern is making a living opposed to making millions.

 

[rook56]

Original Post: "Do you think that a commercially available product such as this would significantly harm this profession? Of course I want to help people and ease pain, but at the same time I do not want to enter a declining profession."

What would you (the Regis and Kathy Lee's of America) think of an AIDS researcher who says, I don't want to find something that would end the task of treating/curing AIDS, cause that would put me out of work!

Threads like this remind me of why the term 'dentard'--used to describe dental students--originated.

I disagree. This thread has been way more informative and interesting than the usual stuff on SDN. If you think I am a "dentard" for bringing up such an issue, you can always go to another "What's the difference between DDS and DMD?" thread.

 

[DR Dentist 09]

rook56,
The point you brought up at the beginning of the thread is very interesting. I used to read Chemical and Engineering news a couple of years back and their articles/research were always interesting, however, things take a very long time to be implemented and for ideas to catch on with the population. I do not worry about the dental profession declining because I know people nowadays are more concerned about oral health than years ago. Prevention is becoming really important as well as cosmetics. People are visiting the dentist more for preventive reasons than for the old "I am in pain" reason. Also, now we have invisalign, lumineers, bleaching, etc. all of which cost a lot and the way the economy is going will increase soon, but people, thanks to the media, want pretty teeth. Then there are always those people that won't stop eating sweets and drinking soda that will continue to have cavities. As someone mentioned before, if there is this dentin remineralization procedure, who is going to perform it? With that being said, I wouldn't worry, there will always be a need for dentists. =)

 

[rook56]

Excellent points, Dr Dentist.

 

[JavadiCavity]

I don't know personally, but from what I hear, no. Many dentists will already tell you that 'cavities' are becoming scarce. The future will be in cosmetic dentistry. However, I agree plenty of people don't follow on oral health and that probably will also contribute a large portion of our future patient bank

No worries. I assure you that cavities are alive and well. They are all over the place. I seriously doubt, in fact, I'd bet the farm that cavities will never become scarce (unless of course, everyone becomes edentulous).

 

[JavadiCavity]

Researchers better also discover a way for me to "fill" demineralized enamel or caries located interproximally withouth cutting a cavity prep. Otherwise, who cares. I'll still bill for a 2-surface cavity, only the filling material will be remin goop.