What do you get when you combine a Dremel power tool, acrylic resin and an Internet connection? A DIY dentistry kit! Or a recipe for dental disaster. The World Wide Web is a modern day miracle in many respects, but virtually unlimited, unfiltered information at the fingertips of anyone with a connection has drawbacks. Do-it-yourself (DIY) dentistry is definitely one of those downsides; what's worse is that DIY dentistry videos, blog posts and websites are becoming more popular and numerous. We're not talking about age-old home or temporary remedies, like using clove oil, Anbesol or DenTek— short-term solutions until a patient can get to a dentist. We're talking about people using drills on their own teeth; creating their own crowns and filling material; wrapping wires around their teeth to try to straighten them. In one example, a DIY-er who goes by the pseudonym "Omega2" gives readers a step-by-step guide to DIY tooth repair, fillings and crowns. Omega2 states: "Surprisingly, crowns are not so hard to make as you think, you can find instructions how to make vampire teeth for Halloween and without modifications these methods are usable for tooth repair too. Only difference is that you need to glue them permanently." The tools Omega2 suggests are equally flabbergasting. Here are a few snippets:

  • "To do job properly you need to prepare tooth surface somehow, cheap dremel is OK for that, but it is better to buy dental handpiece from ebay if you intent [to] do more repairs."
  • "…only diamond burs can defeat enamel without shaking your head too much."
  • "Most vital tool in dental repair business is air blower, without it do not even try to do anything. big fish tank compressor will work fine, refrigerator compressors may also be suitable…."

A Cleveland, Ohio news station, 19 Action News, reported on the issue of DIY dentistry in "Consumer Alert: The dangers of DIY dentistry", calling it a "growing industry on the Internet." Let's hope this Internet trend is short-lived, but until it fades from popularity, be on the ready for fixing DIY cases that went wrong.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 106 Lenora Street, Seattle, WA 98121. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.

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The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor, should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 3250 Airport Way S, Suite 701 | Seattle, WA 98134. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.
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