Dental issues

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robint

robint

Contributor
Messages
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Location
Albuquerque, NM
# of dives
500 - 999
I have checked the DAN website and there isn't much info on dental issues. :depressed:
I am looking at having some dental work done, more than just a filling, and may need to have at least one tooth removed and bridge or the like. How will this affect my diving? Are there specific issues I need to address to my dentist? I have put off having this work for several years because of fear that I may affect my diving adversely and now it looks like I may have waited too long NOT to be a problem.
How do other divers deal with partial bridges? temp or permanent? I don't want to have to give up diving due to dental problems!:shakehead:
 
Hi Robint,

I had a bridge removed and the dentist is waiting for the infection to clear. He sealed it up with something to get rid of it. This started July 07. The x-rays show it is almost gone. That means in about a month he will complete the root canal and then put the bridge in. I hope I am representing my dentist the way he sees it as well.

The long-short, no problems with over 70+dives. Let your dentist know you scuba dive. He/she should seal it so nothing gets in regardless. I did a search for something similar in SB and was able to print it out for my dentist. I can't find it now, but it was a detailed post from a dentist on SB. My dentist told me it would not be a problem.

For the first few dives I was still worried about a potential reverse squeeze. The most nerve racking thing was my IDC. During the skills circuit on your way to becoming an instructor you need to demo skills. I was always afraid the temp bridge would come out while doing buddy breathing. Once, while in confined water training during the IDC I thought it fell out as something got stuck to my reg. My Course Director got a laugh from my reaction. It turned out to be a whistle. No problems with the skill or presentation, but he could see my reaction. I really thought it fell out. Wow, that was about two days from the actual IE (instructor exam). I told him about the temp bride afterwards.

I did find this post, so more expert advice should be obtained.

Safe diving,

Arizona
 
Medical Mod Laurence Stein DDS has provided some posts that might help, including the one already cited by Arizona.

Also consider the quote of a Dr Stein article by DocVikingo in this thread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-212423.html

Or you might PM Dr Stein, calling his attention to this thread

For me it's easy because my dentist is a diver. But you'd have to move back to the Springs to take advantage of his services.

Best wishes with your dental experience.
 
I do remember reading that article by DocV back a few years ago. I think that article is what made me keep postponing the inevitable.
No intentions on moving back to Springs either! I had some work done while there and tried to discuss it with our dentist and he blew me off when I mentioned I was a diver and had concerns. Not an experience that gave me much confidence in dentists... :shakehead:
 
A general point Key to dental work is to be assured that there are no air pockets, or areas that could develop air pockets, in the work done.
 
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