emmalue

http://sao.mt.gov/news/20061024Ameriplan%20Settlem...

The state of Montana says this plan is a fraud. What do you think?

This is a question I often see asked on Yahoo! and there are always plenty of people selling "Ameriplan" or other discount products (even though advertising is against the community guidelines).

Is it a scam? The state of Montana thinks so and successfully got restitution for its citizens. Read the following summary:

http://sao.mt.gov/news/20061024Ameriplan%20Settlem...

What do you think?

Is this considered a real discipline by the ADA or any other peer organization? Why does the American Cancer Society say this about "biological dentistry" on their website?

"...clinical studies that have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals found no link between mercury-containing fillings and the development of cancer and other diseases. The amount of mercury absorbed by the body from amalgams is so small it is considered harmless. A study of US dentists found that dentists themselves have higher mercury levels in their bodies than patients with mercury-containing fillings, because of daily exposure at work. However, the dentists showed the same disease patterns as everyone else, and actually outlived non-dentists by about 3 years."

Looks like Invisalign has won their case. They promise to take care of OrhtoClear patients in mid-treatment, but OrthoClear cannot manufacture or import their product to the USA as of now.

You wrote: "Recently I went to dentist and had x-rays, teeth cleaning and some polishing, my total bill came out to $197 but I only paid $59..."

If this is true (and I highly doubt it is) this dentist paid YOU to come in. Hygienists earn between $36 and $45 an hour, an exam by the doctor costs the practice, instruments had to be sterilized (I hope), x-ray film used and developed. If your visit lasted an hour - as any decent checkup should - the cost to the practice was at least $175 and probably more like $250.

What dentist would accept $59, when it costs them more than that to have you in their chair?

I've been reading the dental section for a few months now, and it seems most people assume Invisalign costs more - maybe double - what traditional braces cost. I've just attended a national meeting of Invisalign dentists and none of them charge more. Where does this idea come from? Are orthodontists charging more for Invisalign?

If you think the price is higher, where did you get your information?

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, USA and never heard primary dentition referred to as "milk teeth". Is this a regional expression, or perhaps a European term? Does one even need teeth to drink milk?