Thanks for this post. It's the story of my life. I had 4 bicuspids extracted during 8 years of orthodontic treatment (age 10 to 18). I also had 4 wisdom teeth removed after the ortho work was finished. Fortunately, I haven't experienced cognitive or neurological decline (knock on wood); just lots of physical aches and pains.
I remember going to the orthodontist office every month or so with a payment cheque from my mom. It felt like paying someone to torture me. I had sleepless nights with excruciating pain whenever the braces were tightened. I also had to wear a headgear at one point.
Whenever I see kids wearing braces, I cringe and hope they don't end up like me. Apparently, dentists don't extract bicuspids anymore; they use palatal expanders instead.
I thought about sueing the orthodontist. But he was following the "standard of care" at the time in the 1980s, so he legally did nothing wrong. My mom did what she thought was best for me (to give me a beautiful smile). It's taken a lot of TMJ work, therapy, and forgiveness to make it this far with decent health.
Yes completely understand about this 'standard of care' protection that they have.
When we put this stuff beyond doubt at some points years from now dentists will need to answer for what they did. But probably not in a courtroom as there is probably not much that can be done against them.
Rather I like thinking of it more like an approach that is taken with war criminals. But instead of courtrooms we will use social media to name and shame.
When orthodontists start to see their picture and quotes that they used to ruin other people's lives going viral on social media... they will feel very embarrassed.
They will live the rest of their days knowing that they fucked up lots of people and everyone will look at them like they are dirtbags.
We are one day going to get very creative about how we deliver revenge. And we will figure out how to scale it via social media so that many people are creating this kind of content.
People used to tell me.. "Ken... you shouldn't be driven or guided by revenge."
And i'd be kind of embarrassed and agree that probably i shouldn't.
Now i say fuck that. I'm driven by revenge and i love it.
And i'm not bad at it. Plus i'm going to get better.
A lot of these dentists and orthos that damaged people... will realize that we are still in the very early stages of the wrath i plan to unleash on them.
At about 5 the dentists advised my parents that I 'desperately' needed extensive dental work to prevent an overbite, crooked teeth, etc. Fortunately, my parents didn't have enough money!
But I inherited bad teeth from them. Both had dentures from their early 20s, and I have needed a lot of dental work through the years. But I brush vigorously and eat healthy, so still have my teeth at 68. But my last molar on my bottom right has been extracted a few days ago because of an abscess, and I am miserable. Can't eat my normal foods. My question is: will the absence of teeth on one side of the jaw cause a "structural collapse"? If the top teeth are just hanging there with nothing to do...? Is there anything I can do?
removing a big tooth like a molar will cause the others to shift around.
Its difficult to say how much of a negative impact it will have as there are probably many factors involved.
But in general i think u can put composite (dental cement) on one of your molars to give it a high flat contact (ie. contact only on that tooth wtih a small gap b/w front teeth).
I had a failed root canal removed and not only did the dentist remove a massive piece of flesh but he moved and damaged the tooth behind and that then had to have a root canal. I am scared of losing this damaged tooth too because then I won’t have any molars on the top left (apart from a wisdom tooth which hasn’t come through) I still have pain where the tooth was and it’s a couple of years ago. I have had cognitive decline since around the time the tooth was removed but I also had amalgam fillings removed and they messed up on that too so maybe that.
Ken i was just wondering what you think about me having the damaged tooth capped? I was supposed to have had it done a year ago but keep putting it off as I still have pain from the extraction site next to the said tooth. The dentist said it will not last as long if I don’t have it done
I've had my wisdom teeth extracted. Is there any way to reverse the effects or is the injury and damage just something I have to accept as permanent now?
Thank you. I've noticed with my mother that her skeleton seems to be collapsing in on itself. She had dental work done with all her top teeth removed and an upper that is screwed in. This was about 3 years ago, and she's 90. I'm glad I found your writings because it seems to explain a lot of what I'm seeing with her, and feeling in myself (my own dental issues).
I hope more people find you and at least think it through. I appreciate you and your writing.
Do you think wisdom tooth extraction is as detrimental? Mine were extracted in high school for no apparent reason other than it should be done to prevent problems. If you have a bad/ infected tooth are implants the answer?
for sure its a bit detrimental but it doesnt curse you to structural collapse.
I had mine extracted in college and im pretty sure it triggered muscle tightness in my neck and back for the next 2 decades... but it is not as if i collapsed.
That didnt happen till 2014 when a dentist drilled my teeth.
Thanks Ken 👍
Thanks for this post. It's the story of my life. I had 4 bicuspids extracted during 8 years of orthodontic treatment (age 10 to 18). I also had 4 wisdom teeth removed after the ortho work was finished. Fortunately, I haven't experienced cognitive or neurological decline (knock on wood); just lots of physical aches and pains.
I remember going to the orthodontist office every month or so with a payment cheque from my mom. It felt like paying someone to torture me. I had sleepless nights with excruciating pain whenever the braces were tightened. I also had to wear a headgear at one point.
Whenever I see kids wearing braces, I cringe and hope they don't end up like me. Apparently, dentists don't extract bicuspids anymore; they use palatal expanders instead.
I thought about sueing the orthodontist. But he was following the "standard of care" at the time in the 1980s, so he legally did nothing wrong. My mom did what she thought was best for me (to give me a beautiful smile). It's taken a lot of TMJ work, therapy, and forgiveness to make it this far with decent health.
Thanks for sharing that.
Yes completely understand about this 'standard of care' protection that they have.
When we put this stuff beyond doubt at some points years from now dentists will need to answer for what they did. But probably not in a courtroom as there is probably not much that can be done against them.
Rather I like thinking of it more like an approach that is taken with war criminals. But instead of courtrooms we will use social media to name and shame.
When orthodontists start to see their picture and quotes that they used to ruin other people's lives going viral on social media... they will feel very embarrassed.
They will live the rest of their days knowing that they fucked up lots of people and everyone will look at them like they are dirtbags.
We are one day going to get very creative about how we deliver revenge. And we will figure out how to scale it via social media so that many people are creating this kind of content.
People used to tell me.. "Ken... you shouldn't be driven or guided by revenge."
And i'd be kind of embarrassed and agree that probably i shouldn't.
Now i say fuck that. I'm driven by revenge and i love it.
And i'm not bad at it. Plus i'm going to get better.
A lot of these dentists and orthos that damaged people... will realize that we are still in the very early stages of the wrath i plan to unleash on them.
First we educate the masses.
Then we fucking attack.
Both organizations and specific individuals.
At about 5 the dentists advised my parents that I 'desperately' needed extensive dental work to prevent an overbite, crooked teeth, etc. Fortunately, my parents didn't have enough money!
But I inherited bad teeth from them. Both had dentures from their early 20s, and I have needed a lot of dental work through the years. But I brush vigorously and eat healthy, so still have my teeth at 68. But my last molar on my bottom right has been extracted a few days ago because of an abscess, and I am miserable. Can't eat my normal foods. My question is: will the absence of teeth on one side of the jaw cause a "structural collapse"? If the top teeth are just hanging there with nothing to do...? Is there anything I can do?
removing a big tooth like a molar will cause the others to shift around.
Its difficult to say how much of a negative impact it will have as there are probably many factors involved.
But in general i think u can put composite (dental cement) on one of your molars to give it a high flat contact (ie. contact only on that tooth wtih a small gap b/w front teeth).
This should start to stretch things out
Yes I totally agree 👍.
I had a failed root canal removed and not only did the dentist remove a massive piece of flesh but he moved and damaged the tooth behind and that then had to have a root canal. I am scared of losing this damaged tooth too because then I won’t have any molars on the top left (apart from a wisdom tooth which hasn’t come through) I still have pain where the tooth was and it’s a couple of years ago. I have had cognitive decline since around the time the tooth was removed but I also had amalgam fillings removed and they messed up on that too so maybe that.
Ken i was just wondering what you think about me having the damaged tooth capped? I was supposed to have had it done a year ago but keep putting it off as I still have pain from the extraction site next to the said tooth. The dentist said it will not last as long if I don’t have it done
yes i think capping is a good idea. Im not a dentist but id think you can also potentially just cover it with dental cement.
The shape of the tooth is not that important in my view
I had a failed root canal tooth removed years ago, never imagined my cognitive decline could be related. Great article.
I've had my wisdom teeth extracted. Is there any way to reverse the effects or is the injury and damage just something I have to accept as permanent now?
What can a person with full dentures do? Wear them at night with a mouth guard?
im not too familiar with dentures... but yes i think u can try to wear them with a mouthguard.
One issue u will have is that the dentures may not fit well as the guard starts to stretch things
Thank you. I've noticed with my mother that her skeleton seems to be collapsing in on itself. She had dental work done with all her top teeth removed and an upper that is screwed in. This was about 3 years ago, and she's 90. I'm glad I found your writings because it seems to explain a lot of what I'm seeing with her, and feeling in myself (my own dental issues).
I hope more people find you and at least think it through. I appreciate you and your writing.
Thank you Nettie.
Yes i think we're going to remove a lot of human suffering in the coming years
Do you think wisdom tooth extraction is as detrimental? Mine were extracted in high school for no apparent reason other than it should be done to prevent problems. If you have a bad/ infected tooth are implants the answer?
for sure its a bit detrimental but it doesnt curse you to structural collapse.
I had mine extracted in college and im pretty sure it triggered muscle tightness in my neck and back for the next 2 decades... but it is not as if i collapsed.
That didnt happen till 2014 when a dentist drilled my teeth.