Don’t just watch it!
// August 18th, 2009 // Patient questions finally answered!, Recommended Dentists
Here is a recent post from Dr. Michael Chandler in Edmond, OK…. He writes:
My aunt who lives in California called me with concerns after her last dental visit. She stated that her dentist told her that she had several small cavities but he would just “Watch It.” My question to my aunt was, “Watch it do what?” There was a long pause and she finally replied, “I don’t know what watch it means.” I told her that it meant that we do nothing until the cavity gets bigger.
There are varying opinions among dentist about when or when not to treat decay or a cavity. In my Edmond practice I choose to treat cavities as soon as they are detected regardless of the size. My opinion is shared be thousands of dentist all across the country. There are also thousands of dentist that believe that should watch a decaying tooth.
My rational is simple for treating even the smallest cavities. I use this analogy frequently with my patients. If you were told you had cancer but it’s really small. would you want to watch it or would you like to treat it? The answer to that question seems obvious. I must state that I’m in no way comparing a cavity to cancer. The analogy is to simply make a point, If we have a cavity and we know there is NO chance of it going away without proper treatment; Why would we choose to just WATCH IT?
Michael L Chandler practices family and cosmetic dentistry in Edmond Oklahoma
1745 W 33rd, ste A
Edmond Oklahoma
www.edmondsmiles.com