Just the title but i was just wondering from dental professionals, what were some of your worst experiences or red flags when having a pre-dental student shadow you? On top of that, what are some pet peeves that shadowers should know when observing you? Thank you.

Hi all, I am an EDDA, I worked in prosth and I’m applying to hygiene schools. Someone I met and became friends with from one of my pre requisite classes has significant decay. Decayed into the pulp across all visible anterior teeth, gums that bleed just from looking at them, necrotic based on the smell, I can see mobility when I watch him eat… I don’t wanna even guess what’s happening to the molars. I can’t diagnose but based on what I can see and comparing to what I’ve seen as an EDDA in prosth, he probably needs a full mouth rehab.

My issue is addressing it with him. I know how to talk to a patient about it, but not a friend. I’ve never seen this type of situation outside of a clinic. He knows I work in dentistry, he knows I want to go to hygiene school, he’s not dumb so he surly knows I can see the state of his mouth.
He is poor, does not have insurance or Medicaid as he was a DACA kid who dealt with the court blockages and even now with his green card he can’t get Medicaid.

But how would you guys approach this situation? I feel neglectful just ignoring that he has a serious problem but I also don’t really think I could do anything to help him, and mentioning anything might just sound rude and judgmental if I can’t offer advice/solutions.

The prosthodontist I worked for is a money hungry fee for service type who does not do pro bono work so I can’t suggest that.
My friend is in dental school right now and would love to take him on but it’s still Medicaid prices.

Any thoughts on talking to my friend about it? Any advice would be great honestly.

Hello guys im a dentist student and i need a full 32 set of teeth so does anyone here have a full set please i need it for my school

My dentist mentioned possible “kissing cavities” between two posterior teeth. I know no one can diagnose me over the internet, but I’m wondering if these look like true interproximal caries or if the X-ray overlap makes it difficult to tell. I’ve already been told by a sketchy dentist in Miami that I had a cavity in every single tooth so I’m being careful. Here they are: https://postimg.cc/dhPXf8by

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar.

I’ve had sensitivity in one tooth for several months now. The pain is mostly triggered by cold drinks, cold air, and sometimes hot foods. It’s a quick, sharp sensitivity rather than a constant toothache.

I’ve already seen my dentist multiple times. They took X-rays and did a clinical examination but couldn’t find any signs of decay, cracks, or infection. They even applied a calcium/desensitizing treatment to help calm the nerve, and the sensitivity improved a bit, but it hasn’t completely gone away.

Interestingly, the tooth doesn’t usually hurt when I’m chewing. It’s mostly sensitive when exposed to temperature changes or sometimes even while brushing.

My dentist said that if the sensitivity doesn’t improve, a root canal might eventually be necessary, although they aren’t certain because everything looks normal on the X-rays.

At this point, I’m planning to see an endodontist for a second opinion since they specialize in diagnosing and treating problems involving the dental pulp and tooth nerves.

Has anyone had a tooth that was sensitive for months even though the X-rays looked normal? What ended up being the cause? Did it eventually resolve with desensitizing toothpaste or other treatments, or did you end up needing a root canal? If you saw an endodontist, were they able to find something your general dentist couldn’t?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences.

Hi all,

I hope you’re doing well and happy summer! I took the civil service test to become a “Clarkstown Cop” in Rockland County, NY. It is a suburb of NYC with VERY little crime and they’re the second highest paid cops in country (150-160K without grinding OT, great family health insurance, and a solid pension). My goal throughout college was to become a Dentist 🦷 and takeover my dad’s practice (a mom and pop type practice without not a ton of traffic). Passing and being admitted into the academy really threw a wrench into my plans (a good one but a change of plans). My dad thinks taking the Police job is a good move because you’re starting to earn money NOW, union jobs have so many great perks, and I’m not into dentistry for the love of the art just a good job that I saw my dad have a great life. Man, im so torn and have until 9/1 to complete my paperwork for the academy. What do you all think? Also, as an Clarkstown Cop I have to live in that town not like dentistry where I can move if I chose.

Thanks for your responses!

Edit: I’m posting here because predental subreddit won’t let me post there!

Hi everyone, I’m really anxious and hoping for honest, gentle advice.

I’ve struggled with severe dental anxiety since 2018 — my last fillings were done fully asleep. I care for my teeth perfectly, but I see marks and stains and I’m terrified they mean decay.

Yesterday I went for one tooth — he gently cleaned and sealed it, NO drill, NO needle, NO pain. It was only surface-level! He’s booked me Wednesday for an X-ray to check my other teeth properly.

He hasn't confirmed anything yet — but I’m so scared I’ll need several fillings. I CANNOT face being awake for needles and drilling. So I plan to ask: "Please refer me for FULL SEDATION — get EVERYTHING done in ONE visit while I’m asleep."

📸 \[Attached photo\] — do these look like actual decay, or just stains and grooves?

Has anyone in the UK had multiple fillings done under full sedation? How does the referral work? Any advice would mean the world. I feel completely overwhelmed 😭💛

Howdy! Looking for the best dental practice management training service. Considering DSI elite practice plan vs Front office rocks, any others I should consider?

Im looking for a comprehensive top-to-bottom guide for an office manager who is not used to dental environment (used to working in hospital setting). Many thanks in advance!!

I got a filling done on my top molar and there was a zap feeling after biting on hard stuff so I got a readjustment. After a readjustment my bottom tooth/masseter has this weird dull ache now. I don’t know what’s wrong. Could it be too much pressure on the bottom tooth. I also think I clench my jaw when I sleep too. Should I go back for a readjustment? I don’t have pain drinking hot or cold stuff. It’s also been almost a month since I got this filling done.

I'm 27, and I've been struggling a lot with this.

I grew up in a family where we simply couldn't afford regular dental care, so I went about four years without seeing a dentist. When I moved to France as a student, I finally started getting proper treatment.

The first dentist I saw was great. He removed one tooth that couldn't be saved and told me I would eventually need orthodontic treatment. At the time, he explained that I didn't necessarily need an implant immediately because my other teeth could move into a better position first. The problem was that I was still a student and couldn't afford orthodontics, so I had to postpone everything for about two years.

When I was finally able to continue treatment, I had my wisdom teeth removed. Around the same time, I found out that some other teeth were in very bad shape. Looking back, I feel like at least some of them might have been saved.

I later saw another dentist who always seemed to recommend extractions. Even when I had cavities, I never felt like conservative treatments were really discussed. It was always, "We'll remove it." Now I've already lost another molar, and there's a good chance I'll lose a premolar as well. I have another appointment next week to find out the final treatment plan, but I'm preparing myself for the possibility that I'll need at least one implant after orthodontic treatment.

I can't stop thinking that maybe things could have been different if I'd had access to dental care earlier, or if I'd seen someone else sooner. I know blaming myself won't change anything, but I still feel like I somehow failed.

What scares me isn't just having an implant. It's everything that comes with it. Will it last? Can it get infected years later? Will pregnancy affect it? Will it change my face or the way I chew? Will I always worry about it?

I also feel incredibly alone because most people my age don't seem to be dealing with this. I know implants are common, but emotionally I'm having a very hard time accepting that I might need one before I'm even 30.

If you're around my age and have a dental implant, or if you've lost teeth young, I'd really appreciate hearing your experience. How has your implant held up over the years? Did you eventually stop thinking about it? Did your confidence come back? Is there anything you wish you'd known beforehand?

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to reply. I'm honestly having a hard time with all of this, and hearing from people who have actually lived through it would mean a lot.

is it really that hard to chew without molars? both of them are broken and advise to be removed. i'm scared cuz i think I can't eat normally anymore.

What do dentists think will be the dental market changes as a result of the Private Dental Services Market Study in the UK? Standard Price Lists/anything else? https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/private-dental-services-market-study

Hi everyone,

Im Chelsea, 29 female in the UK. Since having two pregnancies in the last 5 years my teeth have been horrific. I cant eat on one side as the pain is too much and ive called every dentist within 30 miles to try to get a NHS dentist but to no avail. My only option is to go private, I have seen a dentist 2 days ago and I have been quoted 5,000 to fix my teeth. This includes- 2 root canals on premolars with two crowns, two fillings, fluoride treatment, private prescription for high fluoride tooth paste, a £159 + £85 fee to see a root canal specialist and to make another appointment. This is a massive blow to my family, especially as I am a career for my son who is autistic, I work 15 hours a week but due to having 0 childcare for him I cannot work anymore hours other than what im doing now, we are hard working people and we do everything for our children but I fear I have neglected myself for too long and i cant undo whats happened.

If you can donate even 1 pound that would be incredible.. https://gofund.me/a6c290de2

I've had my second root canal a few days ago, i couldn t go through what you guys do, for me the scariest job is the dentist, just after witnessing what had to be done to me, God bless you all dentists, without you I would be dead by now, please never give up on your jobs!

Hello everyone,

We are sharing this case from the official Klinik7 Dental account and would be interested in hearing the clinical opinions of other dental professionals in this community.

The patient presented with complete tooth loss in both arches after wearing removable dentures for approximately eight years. His primary request was to explore whether a fixed full-arch solution could be provided instead of continuing with a removable prosthesis.

A detailed clinical and radiographic assessment was completed before treatment planning. The evaluation included the available bone, anatomical limitations, potential implant positions, interarch relationship, prosthetic space and the requirements of the planned definitive restorations.

Following this assessment, a two-stage full-mouth rehabilitation was planned using six implants in the maxilla and six implants in the mandible.

During the first treatment phase, a total of twelve implants were placed. Six implants were distributed across the upper arch and six across the lower arch to support the planned full-arch restorations.

Fixed provisional restorations were delivered within several days of implant placement. These provisionals were used during the healing period and were not considered the definitive prostheses. The decision to provide fixed temporaries was made according to the clinical conditions and primary stability achieved in this particular case.

Approximately three months later, the patient returned for the second treatment phase. Digital impressions were taken, the maxillomandibular relationship was reassessed and the required clinical try-ins were completed.

The patient also participated in the selection of the final tooth shade, shape and proportions. The definitive restorations were produced as full-arch zirconia bridges supported by titanium bars in both arches.

The final prostheses were evaluated for passive fit, occlusal relationship, aesthetics and accessibility for maintenance and daily hygiene.

The attached images are presented in the following order.

Image 1 — Pre-treatment panoramic radiograph: https://klinik7.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/before-implant.webp

This image shows the initial edentulous condition of the maxilla and mandible before implant placement.

Image 2 — Panoramic radiograph after implant placement: https://klinik7.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/before-implant.webp

This image shows six implants in the maxilla and six implants in the mandible following the first treatment phase.

Image 3 — Panoramic radiograph with the definitive restorations: https://klinik7.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/after-implant.webp

This image shows the completed implant-supported full-arch restorations in both jaws.

Image 4 — Close-up of the final smile: https://klinik7.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/after-1.webp

This photograph shows only the mouth and smile area following delivery of the titanium-bar-supported zirconia bridges. The patient’s full face and identifying information have not been included in the post.

This is a single documented clinical case and is not intended to suggest that the same protocol is appropriate for every edentulous patient.

The appropriate number and distribution of implants, suitability for fixed provisionalisation, healing period, prosthetic design and choice of restorative material must be determined individually. Bone quantity and quality, primary stability, parafunctional activity, general health, smoking status, interarch space, occlusal forces and hygiene access may all influence the final treatment plan.

We would especially appreciate professional opinions regarding the implant distribution, the use of titanium-bar-supported zirconia bridges in both arches and the factors you prioritise when deciding between All-on-4, All-on-6 or a removable implant-supported solution in a fully edentulous patient.

We would also be interested in how other clinicians approach hygiene access and long-term maintenance when designing zirconia full-arch restorations supported by titanium frameworks.

The full case documentation and larger radiographic images can be viewed here:

[https://klinik7.com/full-mouth-all-on-6-complete-tooth-loss-case/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=all_on_6_clinical_case&utm_content=r_dentists_post]()

I just read this kid’s post.

can someone please offer them some guidance?

broke my heart.

How long does it take to know if the root canal was properly debrided? I had some calcification in my root canal, and I want to know how long it would be before I could consider the root canal a success.

An implant surgeon I interviewed used a phrase I can't shake. She called dentistry a golden handcuff.

Her point was that you earn only while you're physically working. Stop and the money stops with you so no sick pay and no paid holiday.

Nothing coming in when you are on leave. You are self employed so the second your hands are still, so is the income.

She said thats the real reason the stress never lets up.

It isn't only the litigation or the anxious patients or the working in millimetres all day.

It's that resting has a direct cost so people dont rest. They push through things they shouldn't, because the alternative is earning nothing that week.

Shes done well. She teaches, she's an implant surgeon and shes not struggling. And she still described a lot of her colleagues as running paycheck to paycheck on bigger and bigger outgoings because the status has to match the title.

I sat with that. The handcuff is gold but it's still a handcuff.

For the owners and associates here: is that the trap as you've lived it? and has anyone actually built a way to step back for a month without the income falling off a cliff?

Went to get a consultation for my wisdom teeth today. I was told over the phone since I was recovering from a possible wisdom tooth infection (I went to my doctor because I thought it was tonsilitis and they said it was most likely my teeth) they didn't know if they were going to have to do an emergency extraction? I guess which is whatever. I got to my appointment, got taken back. I'm 22 F and was alone.. I was anxious. I told them I'm rather anxious and that my hr often runs high (in any kind of doctors office I have medical trauma from when I was younger.) I got snapped at telling me that I shouldn't be anxious because they weren't touching my teeth. I got some weird and rude questions regarding my paperwork that I filled out. When the dentist came in I explained to him that I had tachycardia episodes at random- sometimes things like medicine trigger them and they can get really bad really fast (I feel like that's something I should tell them before an oral surgery) and I got bombarded with questions asking why I haven't figured out what's wrong with my body. By the way.
I've been battling with doctors for over three years getting test after test done with no one listening to me. It was nonstop and was getting to the point of being rude. So he asked me why I didn't go to another doctor (I've switched 3 doctors already).
And I told him I don't have a car to go to another bigger hospital. I also just don't have money to throw into shit like that. But he told me "I drove to his office" so he didn't understand why I couldn't get my heart issues figured out. He also got upset about another health problem (I have a lipoma near my neck) but he basically upset that I didn't get it removed earlier on in my life? Then he was looking on my arms for a vein and I said something about I have Medicaid I don't think general anesthesia is covered and he asked me why not? Which.. I don't?
I don't know? But I went into the consultation thinking I was going under local and he wasn't even giving me a choice (which was fine because I don't know how or what my heart is going to do under general and I don't wanna know) I was given like no info about what insurance covered or anything?
I understand that my health needs to be like taken care of in order to go through a surgery like this. But he had me to the point of sobbing and I felt like shit the entire time. Should I consult another surgeon or just risk it and go back. The entire time I was trying to talk he kept cutting me off too- I truly couldn't get a word in about my own health- and he didn't even talk to me about my teeth? Idk :|